専門用語： renewable energy 再生可能エネルギー（＝自然エネルギー） 再生可能エネルギーは新聞社による英語よりの翻訳ですが、自然エネルギーというほうが分かりやすいのかもしれませんね。 （スラチャイ）
(Mainichi Japan) December 29, 2011 Editorial: Gov't should promote renewable energy as myth of nuclear power's cheapness shattered 社説：原発コスト 「安価神話」も崩壊した
"The cost of nuclear power generation is cheap" -- we have repeatedly heard such a line as part of the reasoning for promoting nuclear energy. 「原発の発電コストは安い」。これまで原発推進のひとつの根拠として繰り返されてきた言葉である。
The myth of the cheapness of nuclear power generation collapsed following the catastrophe at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant. 東京電力福島第１原発の大事故を経て、この「安価神話」が崩れた。
A government panel set up in the wake of the nuclear disaster estimates that the cost of nuclear power generation now stands at a minimum of 8.9 yen per kilowatt hour -- 1.5 times higher than the figure presented by utilities and the government before the disaster. 事故後、原発コストの見直しを進めてきた政府の「コスト等検証委員会」の試算によると原発の発電コストは最低でも１キロワット時当たり８．９円。これまで電力会社や政府が提示してきたコストの１．５倍となる。
If the costs for decontaminating areas affected by radioactive materials, decommissioning the damaged reactors at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant and compensating for damages emanating from the nuclear crisis soar further, the cost of nuclear power generation would be even higher. 放射性物質の除染や廃炉、損害の費用など今後の事故処理の費用がかさめば、さらにコストは増す。
Considering the fact that the costs of coal-fired power generation and liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled power generation stand at somewhere near 10 yen per kilowatt hour, respectively, the superiority that nuclear power generation had enjoyed in terms of "cost performance" can be said to have been shattered. 石炭火力、液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）火力が１０円前後であることを思えば、原発のコストの優位性は大きく揺らいだといえる。
Even wind power generation and geothermal power generation could rival with nuclear power generation in terms of cost performance depending on conditions, while the cost of solar power generation is likely to become cheaper in 20 years time. 風力や地熱も条件がよければ原子力に対抗でき、太陽光も２０年後にはそれなりに安くなる可能性が示されている。
The government should take this opportunity to proceed with full-scale measures to invest in and promote renewable energy sources, which had previously been shunned for their "high costs." 政府はこれをきっかけに、「コスト高」を理由に敬遠されてきた再生可能エネルギーへの投資と推進政策を本気になって進めるべきだ。
What makes the government panel's latest estimation significantly different from previous calculations is that the panel took into consideration the social costs emanating from nuclear power generation, such as accident risks, on top of the expenses for the construction, operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants as well as their fuel costs. 今回の試算がこれまでと大きく違う点は、建設費や運転維持費、燃料費などに加え、事故リスクや二酸化炭素対応といった社会的コストも勘案した点だ。
In hindsight, it was a mistake that we failed to take into account accident risks involving nuclear plants. 考えてみれば、これまで事故リスクを度外視してきたことが間違いだった。
It shows that the myths of the safety and the cheapness of nuclear power generation were closely intertwined with each other. 「安全神話」と「安価神話」はセットになっていたことになる。
The government panel has also indicated that energy savings per household are tantamount to generating power and pointed to the potential of a dispersed power system, to which we should pay renewed attention. 検証委は家庭の省エネは発電に等しいという考え方や分散型電源の潜在力も示している。
The panel's estimates should be indicating the feasibility of the government's policy of cutting down on nuclear power generation. 改めて注目したい。こうした試算を踏まえれば、今後原発を減らしていくという政府の「脱原発依存」の実現性が見えてくるはずだ。
In the meantime, we should take heed of the fact that the figures currently presented are highly uncertain. 現時点で示された数値は不確実性が高いことにも留意したい。
Experts were sharply divided in their opinions over how nuclear accident risks should be evaluated when they were discussing how they should calculate the latest estimates. 試算の過程では、原発事故のリスクをどう評価するかで、専門家の意見が大きく割れた。
While some experts projected that the odds of such a serious accident as the Fukushima disaster happening were once every 100,000 years, their opinions are way too different from ordinary people's feelings considering the fact that we have seen three major nuclear accidents across the globe -- Three Mile Island in the United States in 1979, Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union in 1986, and Fukushima in 2011 -- over the past several decades. 今回のような深刻な事故が起きる確率を「１０万年に１回」と仮定する専門家もいたが、米スリーマイル島原発、旧ソ連のチェルノブイリ原発の事故に、今回の福島の事故を考えあわせると普通の人の感覚とかけ離れている。
It should be noted that the government panel has given minimum estimates because it excluded accident probabilities from their estimates for nuclear accident risk-related costs. 検証委は今回、事故確率を含まない方法で事故リスク対応費をはじいたが、もっとも低い見積もりであることを忘れてはならない。
The panel has also indicated that the cost of the nuclear fuel cycle -- which the government describes as the core of Japan's nuclear energy policy -- is almost twice that of direct disposal. 日本が原子力政策の要とする核燃料サイクルも直接処分に比べ約２倍高いという試算が示されている。
The nuclear fuel cycle program, albeit the large amount of money spent on it, should be reviewed from square one. これまでつぎこんだ費用は大きいが、ゼロから考え直すべきだ。
The panel's estimates should be examined by people from various quarters in order for Japan to come up with the best mix of energy policies. 今後は、こうした試算をさまざまな立場の人が検証しつつ、エネルギーのベストミックスを考えていく必要がある。
Those estimates should serve as the first step toward achieving such diverse energy policies. 試算をそのスタートとしたい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 28 EDITORIAL: Rethink needed for Futenma relocation plan 辺野古アセス―またまた見切り発車だ
In continued disregard of Okinawa Prefecture's vehement opposition to the planned relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to the Henoko district in Nago, the Democratic Party of Japan administration has delivered to the Okinawa prefectural government an environmental assessment report on the construction of a new offshore runway. 沖縄県の米軍普天間飛行場移設問題で、民主党政権がまた「見切り発車」を重ねた。 名護市辺野古沖を埋め立てて代替滑走路をつくるための環境影響評価（アセスメント）の評価書を県に送ろうとしたのだ。
In early November, the Okinawa prefectural assembly unanimously adopted a statement demanding that the central government abandon the submission of such an environmental assessment report. Later that month, the director-general of the Okinawa Defense Bureau outraged the people of Okinawa by using a rape analogy to explain Tokyo's reluctance to set the submission date of the assessment report. 沖縄県議会が全会一致で反対決議をするなど、地元の拒否姿勢は明確だ。１１月には、沖縄防衛局長が提出時期をめぐって「犯す前に犯すよと言いますか」という趣旨の暴言をはき、反発の火に油を注いでいた。
Determined to stop Tokyo from having its way, Okinawan protesters gathered outside the prefectural government building on Dec. 27, surrounded the van carrying the report, and prevented the report from being handed over to Okinawa Governor Hirokazu Nakaima. 反対派の市民らに、配送業者による県庁への搬入が阻止されるという異常事態は、この問題の難しさを象徴している。
But the administration of Yoshihiko Noda delivered the report to Nakaima on Dec. 28 because of its earlier promise to Washington to submit it by the end of this year. But the U.S. Congress recently decided to cut expenditures from the 2012 budget for the transfer of Marines from Okinawa to Guam, which was part of the relocation package. Saddled with massive deficits, the Americans are not saving military spending from the ax. それでも野田政権が行政手続きを進めるのは、「年内提出」を米国に事実上約束していたからだ。しかし、その米国では上下両院が、辺野古移設とセットの沖縄海兵隊のグアム移転費用を１２会計年度予算から削除した。膨大な財政赤字を抱え、軍事費といえども聖域ではなくなっているのだ。
Nakaima was not opposed to Tokyo's submission of the environmental assessment report per se. But he has always stood for Futenma's relocation to outside Okinawa or overseas, and stated his unequivocal opposition to the reclamation of the sea off Henoko. 沖縄県の仲井真弘多（ひろかず）知事は、評価書の提出自体は容認した。しかし、県外・国外移設を求める立場は崩しておらず、埋め立てを認めない意向も明言した。
Although Nakaima welcomed Tokyo's decision to substantially increase its Okinawa promotion budget for fiscal 2012, the fact that he was re-elected governor on his anti-Henoko platform makes it most unlikely that he would go against public opinion in his prefecture on this issue. 来年度の沖縄振興予算が大幅に増額されたことは評価しても、辺野古反対を掲げて再選した経緯からいって、県民世論の大勢に反して受け入れることはあるまい。
May 2012 will mark the 40th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan, and a prefectural assembly election is slated for June. The Noda administration is looking to file an application for reclamation with Nakaima next summer after the completion of environmental assessment procedures, but to do so would only fan the distrust and anger of the people of Okinawa. 沖縄は来年、５月に本土復帰４０年を迎え、６月には県議選がある「政治の季節」になる。野田政権はアセス完了後、来夏にも、知事への埋め立て免許申請を視野に入れるが、そんなことをすれば、沖縄の不信と反発をいっそう大きくするだけだ。
Tokyo and Washington must stop and think. 日米両政府は、いまこそ立ち止まるべきだ。
Henoko was chosen as the relocation site after lengthy negotiations between Tokyo and Washington to reconcile the two conflicting goals of easing Okinawa's burden and maintaining the deterrence power of U.S. forces in Japan. Given the history, we certainly appreciate the difficulty of reviewing the whole plan from scratch to seek a new solution. 辺野古案は沖縄の負担軽減と在日米軍の抑止力維持という、矛盾する二つの目的を両立させようと、両政府が長い交渉を経てまとめたものだ。その努力を踏まえれば、白紙から見直しても簡単に新しい解決策を見つけるのは難しいだろう。
But that is the only option if any progress is to be made at all. だが、それ以上に現状には展望がない。
Next year, presidential elections or leadership changes will take place in the United States, China, Russia, South Korea and Taiwan. And with the recent death of Kim Jong Il in North Korea, the situation in East Asia has grown less predictable. 来年は米国、中国、ロシア、韓国、台湾で、最高指導者を選ぶ選挙や指導層の交代が予定されている。北朝鮮の代替わりもあり、東アジア情勢は不透明感を増している。
An unsteady Japan-U.S. relationship will destabilize the region and weaken the diplomatic bases of both partners. 日米関係が揺らげば、地域の安定を損ない、双方の外交基盤を弱めるだけだ。
Seeking a new solution is a daunting challenge that also requires every care along the way. But the leaders of both Japan and the United States must accept the fact that this is their only option. 打開策を探る作業は困難で、細心の注意を要するが、立ち向かうしか道はない。日米の政治指導者は、そう覚悟すべきだ。
A report on an investigation into the Fukushima nuclear disaster has made us wonder if the operator of the crippled plant put blind faith in the facility because of the "safety myth" created by propaganda to promote nuclear power generation. The interim report was published on Dec. 26 by a government panel looking into the disastrous accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant triggered by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. 原発ＰＲの安全神話によって原子力の当事者自身も安全ぼけに陥ってはいなかったか。 福島第一原発をめぐる政府の事故調査・検証委員会中間報告を読むと、そう思わせる。
At the No. 1 reactor, members of the task force at the plant and the head office of Tokyo Electric Power Co., which operates the plant, initially failed to recognize that an isolation condenser, which is intended to cool the reactor during a blackout, was not working, according to the report. １号機では当初、停電時に炉を冷やす非常用復水器の機能が不全だったのを、発電所も東京電力本社も気づかなかった。
The report bitterly criticized TEPCO for lacking sufficient understanding of how the condenser works. "As a nuclear power plant operator, it was highly inappropriate," said the report. The fact indicates how little importance TEPCO engineers placed on such a system to deal with an emergency. 装置のしくみを十分理解していなかったことを、中間報告は「原子力事業者として極めて不適切」と批判する。技術陣にとって、非常のための装置がどれほど遠い存在だったかわかる。
The interim report also addressed problems concerning facilities outside the plant, such as the off-site center located 5 kilometers away. The center failed to perform its functions as the front-line base to respond to a nuclear accident. That's because the center was not designed to function under circumstances of heightened levels of radiation even though it is a facility to be used when an accident has broken out at the nuclear power plant. （中間報告書は原発から5kmのところにある外部センターについても言及している。 外部センターは原発事故の際に最前線となる機能を失っていた。 その原因は実際の原発事故に対応できる設計ではなかったことによる。） （この部分の日本語なし、で、スラチャイが訳しました）
The document, naturally, also raised the issue of the fact that data of the government's System for Prediction of Environmental Emergency Dose Information (SPEEDI), a system to predict the spread of radioactive materials during a nuclear emergency, was not used for the evacuation of residents in areas around the disaster-stricken plant. The government "didn't have the thought of publicizing SPEEDI information," according to the report. Why did the government decide to spend taxpayers' money to build the system in the first place if it didn't think about communicating information it generates to local residents? （政府肝いりの原発事故の際に使われるべきSPEEDIも、事故の際に使われなかった。 政府はSPEEDIのデータを公開していなかったのだ。 最初から国民のために使う気がないシステムを政府は何故導入したのか。アホか＾＾。） （この部分の日本語なし、で、スラチャイが訳しました）
The inquiry panel also pointed an accusing finger at the prime minister's office. The report said there was not enough mutual communication between the underground crisis management center, where top officials of ministries and agencies concerned gathered, and the room on the fifth floor where the prime minister and his close aides worked to deal with the situation. 報告は首相官邸も批判した。省庁幹部が集まる地下の危機管理センターと、首相らが陣取る５階との連絡が互いに十分でなかったと指摘している。
The report painted a distressing picture of how top officials at TEPCO and the government got flustered in the face of the nuclear crisis as they lacked knowledge about what to do in such a severe event. We applaud the investigation panel for shedding light on this disturbing truth. But the report has still left some stones unturned. 見えてくるのは、大事故のときに、何をどう動かせばいいのかの知識に欠け、あたふたする東電と政府関係者の姿である。それを浮かび上がらせたことは評価したい。だが、まだ足りないところもある。
The report pointed to the possibility that the core meltdown at the No. 1 reactor could have been at least delayed through an earlier injection of water if the plant operator had had an accurate grasp of the situation. But it failed to make clear how missteps and errors in judgment actually worsened the damage. たとえば、１号機で状況把握が的確なら、早めの注水などで炉心損傷を遅らせられた可能性を述べているが、不手際や判断ミスが被害をどれほど広げたかは、はっきりと見えてこない。
We have some advice for the panel as it continues to prepare a final report to be published next summer. そこで、来年夏の最終報告に向けて注文したいことがある。
First of all, we urge the panel to be more willing to seek the help of outside experts. That the panel has no expert in nuclear reactors among its members is good from the viewpoint of insulating its work from the influence of the "nuclear village"--a close-knit community of policymakers, industry executives and scientists bent on promoting nuclear power generation. But its lack of necessary expertise could make it difficult for the panel to understand what happened in the reactors. まず、外部の知識を積極的にとり入れてほしい。委員に原子炉の専門家がいないのは、「原子力村」の論理を避けるためによいことだが、炉で何が起こったかを知るには困難もある。
We also want the panel to interview as many politicians involved as possible. This is also crucial for uncovering the truth about the SPEEDI fiasco. もう一つは、政治家からの聴取をどんどん進めてほしいことだ。これは、ＳＰＥＥＤＩ問題の解明にも欠かせまい。
Yotaro Hatamura, an engineer who heads the panel, advocates the "science of failure." The principal purpose of research in this field is to prevent big failures by examining small ones. It is important to scrutinize the many small failures that must have occurred during the nuclear disaster to learn necessary lessons. We hope the panel will step up its efforts to accomplish its mission during the remaining half year. 検証委員会の委員長を務める工学者畑村洋太郎さんは、失敗学の提唱者だ。その核心は、小さな失敗を調べて大きな失敗を防ぐことにある。今回の原子力災害でも、その過程にあったとみられる数々の失敗を調べ、そこから教訓を得たい。あと半年の追い込みに期待する。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 27, 2011) Putin must commit fully to rule of law in Russia 反プーチンデモ ロシアに「法の支配」が必要だ（12月26日付・読売社説）
Mass rallies to protest the high-handed political tactics of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin illustrate public discontent with his long-standing grip on power. ロシアのプーチン首相の強権的な政治手法に反発する大規模なデモは、長期執権への不満の表れだろう。
It can be said that the contradictions plaguing Russia have come to the fore 20 years after the collapse of the former Soviet Union. ソ連の解体から２０年、ロシアが今日、抱える矛盾が露呈したと言える。
Demonstrations began immediately after an election for the State Duma earlier this month, as protesters claimed there had been vote-rigging and called for the election to be held again. An image of alleged vote-rigging was posted on the Internet, igniting the rallies. デモは、１２月の下院選直後、選挙に不正があったとしてやり直しを求める形で始まった。不正工作の証拠という映像が、インターネットで流され、火がついた。
About 30,000 people gathered in Moscow alone Saturday, according to Russia's Interior Ministry. It was the biggest antigovernment rally of Putin's tenure, surpassing the one held Dec. 10. In addition to decrying the alleged election irregularities, the protesters openly called for an end to Putin's rule, shouting, "Russia without Putin." ２４日は、モスクワだけで約３万人（内務省発表）が集まり、プーチン時代では１０日を上回る大規模な反政府集会となった。選挙不正を批判するだけでなく、「プーチンなきロシアを」と、退陣を求める声が公然とあがった。
During the 12 years of his grip on power as president and prime minister, Russian politics became relatively stable and its economy grew remarkably thanks to high crude oil prices. プーチン氏が大統領、首相として実権を握った１２年間で、政治はひとまず安定し、原油高の追い風を受け経済成長も遂げた。
The recent series of rallies, however, indicates the people's mounting dissatisfaction with Putin, who is aiming to prolong his rule by running in the presidential election next March. だが、相次ぐデモは、来年３月の大統領選出馬で長期執権をもくろむプーチン氏への不満の高まりをうかがわせるものだ。
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Anger against corruption
It is noteworthy that many participants in the anti-Putin protests were middle-class and intellectual people whose situations improved due to the economic growth. 反プーチン集会の参加者に、経済成長で台頭した中間層やインテリが多かった点が注目される。
They may be prompted by their anger toward the little progress made in modernizing Russian politics. Their indignation is largely targeted at the rampant corruption in the bureaucratic machine, which has collusive ties with the ruling party. 背景には、一向に近代化しない政治への怒りがあるのだろう。与党と癒着した官僚組織に、汚職が蔓延(まんえん)していることが大きい。
The government made full use of TV media as a publicity tool to lead the campaign in favor of the ruling United Russia party. Lack of impartiality, a prerequisite for elections, spurred criticism of the administration. 政権は下院選で、与党に有利になるよう、テレビを宣伝道具として駆使した。選挙の前提となる「公正さ」を欠いたことが、政権批判に拍車をかけた。
Putin has refused demands to hold a new election. He is trying to get out of his present difficulties by pledging to take measures to prevent irregularities in the presidential election. プーチン首相は、下院選のやり直しを拒否している。大統領選では不正防止策を講じると約束することで、切り抜ける構えだ。
As no powerful candidate has emerged from the opposition camp, Putin's strategy for returning to the Kremlin remains unshaken. 野党側に有力候補者がいないため、プーチン首相の大統領返り咲き戦略は揺らいではいない。
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Legal compliance vital
It is natural, however, that those in power must also comply with rules. Establishment of the full rule of law has been pending since the collapse of the former Soviet Union. Putin needs to face seriously the problems raised by the series of rallies and commit himself completely to the rule of law. だが、権力者にもルール順守が求められるのは当然だ。「法の支配」の確立は、ソ連崩壊以来の重要な課題だ。首相は、デモが提起した問題を重く受け止め、法治主義を徹底する必要があろう。
Putin faces challenges on the diplomatic front, too. プーチン首相は、対外政策でも課題に直面している。
He has put forth the idea of creating an "Eurasian Union" aimed at the economic integration of former Soviet republics. But these states have been deepening their relations with European countries and the United States, and remain strongly wary of Russia's attempt to take leadership. 首相は、旧ソ連諸国の経済統合を図る「ユーラシア同盟」構想を提唱しているが、旧ソ連諸国は、欧米との関係を深めており、主導権を握ろうとするロシアへの警戒感が根強い。
After 18 years of negotiations, Russia will become an official member of the World Trade Organization next year. If it is to earnestly seek capital investment from the West, Moscow will be strongly urged to follow WTO rules and international business practices. また、１８年もの交渉の末、世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）へ、ロシアは来年正式加盟することになった。ロシアが西側の資本呼び込みを本気で図るつもりなら今後、ＷＴＯルールや国際的商慣行を順守することが強く求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 26, 2011) （2011年12月26日01時17分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) December 25, 2011 Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Learning from the next generation 香山リカのココロの万華鏡：いまどきの卒業論文 ／東京
Being both a psychiatrist and a university professor, December is always an exciting month for me -- it is this time of the year when my students submit their graduation theses. 精神科医をしながら大学の教員もしている私にとって、卒業論文の提出がある１２月は、ハラハラ、ドキドキの月。
There are some students who rush up to me at the very last moment, saying, "Professor, I can't make it on time," to whom I would say: "Hang in there, you're only a breath away." There are also the self-assured ones, who submit their "works of confidence," in which I later on find plenty of spelling mistakes that sometimes even frustrate me. 直前になって「先生、ダメです！ 間に合いません」と泣きついてくる学生を、「大丈夫、あと一息！」と遠泳のコーチのように励ます。「自信作です」と見せに来る学生の論文に大量の誤字脱字を発見して、途方に暮れることもある。
However, as I read my students' works, I realize that there is quite a lot to learn from the way "today's young" think, write, and form their judgments. ただ、“いまどきの若者”の考え方や文章のまとめ方から、「なるほど」と学ぶことも多い。
Every year, what specifically amazes me is their computer and internet skills. As I read through their works, I often find myself wondering how they created such beautiful graphs or about the meaning of acronyms that I often see online, but never knew what they were for. On such occasions, I feel as if we are "exchanging knowledge," and things such as poor writing or lack of in-depth research stop bothering me. とくにパソコンやネットの使い方には毎年、感心しつつ、「このきれいなグラフ、どうやって作るの？」「ネットでよく見るこの略語ってどういう意味？」とこちらもちゃっかり教えてもらう。そうすると“知識の交換”という気分になり、論文の文章のまずさや調べ方の甘さにもハラは立たなくなってくる、というものだ。
It is common for educators to criticize the next generation by saying that in the past students studied much more. However, this is only because we are comparing them to ourselves, based on standards that we lived through in our student days. There are things that students nowadays know and can do easily, which we in the past could not -- and I'm not only speaking of their use of computers and mobile phones. そう、教員をしているとつい「昔の学生はもっと勉強したものだ」などと嘆きたくなるが、それは自分たちを基準にしているからなのだ。実は、いまの学生には簡単なのに、昔の学生にはできなかったこと、知らなかったこともたくさんある。パソコンやケータイの使い方だけではない。
While for many people from my generation reading in English was common, but speaking was nearly impossible, young people these days openly speak to overseas students, using both Japanese and English with no evidence of embarrassment. They are also much more open to sexual and gender differences. It is somewhat more refreshing than surprising to hear someone say: "I like a person from the same sex," to which another person simply replies, "Oh, really?" 私の世代だと「英語の文献は読めるが話すのは苦手」という人も少なくないが、いまの学生は留学生がいてもものおじせずに、英語と日本語とを器用におりまぜコミュニケーションしている。性別、性差にもほとんどこだわりがなく、「私ね、同性の人が好きなんだよね」「あっそう」などと自由に会話している姿にも、ビックリを通り越してすがすがしさを覚える。
At parties, the old rule obliging women to pour drinks for men seems to not exist for many young people -- they act naturally and drink in the style that suits them. コンパをしても「お酌は女性」などというルールはなく、ごく自然についだりつがれたり、好きなように飲んでいる。
As I watch the young people these days, I think that the traditional way of "measuring" knowledge and quality of graduation theses is, in fact, not that important. 彼らを見ていると、昔ながらの尺度で測る「学力」だとか「論文のでき」など、実はたいしたことではないような気もしてくる。
There are times when part of me says, "A graduation thesis is not a personal essay, so writing in the first person is against the rules," while the other me says, "This personal essay-style thesis is so rich and sensitive, and extremely interesting." 「卒業論文はエッセーじゃないんだから、あまりに“私は、私は”と多用するのは規定違反……いやいや、あなたのこのエッセー調の論文は、感受性豊かですごくおもしろいね！」などという場面も少なくないのだ。
I will teach my students everything I know, and hope they would do the same for me. I don't want them to feel afraid of telling me, "Professor, you really don't know something like that?" 学生たちにはこちらが知っていることをすべて教えてあげるから、学生たちも私にいろいろなことを教えてほしい。「先生、そんなことも知らないの？」と遠慮なく言ってほしい。
As a professor I always try to think in this way. However, at times I blurt out things like: "Really? You haven't read Hermann Hesse? When I was a student, I..." This bad habit seems to be a hard one to shake. 教員としてはいつもそう思っている私だが、それでもつい口にしてしまう。「なに、ヘルマン・ヘッセも読んだことがない？ 私が学生の頃は……」。このクセはなかなかなおらないようだ。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 25, 2011) New food safety rules require time for explanations, preparation 放射能「新」基準 食の不安の拡大防止策が先だ（12月24日付・読売社説）
Stricter limits on radiation in food are meant to make the public feel safe and secure--but what if they have the opposite effect? 安心のための基準がかえって不安をあおることにならないか。
The government must be circumspect in its moves in this area. 政府は、慎重に対応すべきだ。
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has worked out a set of proposals for new limits on radioactive cesium in food. Following exchanges of views within the government on the proposed standards, the ministry plans to put the new criteria into practice in April 2012. 厚生労働省が、食品中に含まれる放射性セシウムの新たな規制値案をまとめた。政府内で調整後に、来年４月の導入を目指している。
Currently, "provisional regulatory ceilings" are in place as yardsticks for safe levels of radiation in food. The provisional ceilings were set immediately after the outbreak of the nuclear crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 power plant. The new ceilings proposed by the ministry are far stricter. 今は、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故直後に定められた「暫定規制値」を食品の安全確認の目安としている。新たな規制値案は、これより大幅に厳しい。
For instance, the proposal calls for a ceiling of 50 becquerels per kilogram for milk and baby food items, including baby formula. This is one-fourth the current 200-becquerel limit. The planned limit for general food items such as rice, meat and vegetables is 100 becquerels per kilogram, or one-fifth the current ceiling. The proposed limit on drinking water is 10 becquerels, which is one-twentieth the current 200-becquerel limit. 例えば、粉ミルクなどの「乳児用食品」や「牛乳」は、暫定規制値の４分の１である１キロ・グラム当たり５０ベクレルだ。その他の一般食品は５分の１の同１００ベクレル、飲料水は２０分の１の同１０ベクレルとなる。
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Risk of worsening anxiety
The ministry says the tightening of the limits is for the sake of "ensuring a sense of safety among the public." Specifically, the risk of "internal exposure to radiation affecting human bodies" would be reduced to less than one-fifth the risk under the provisional ceilings, according to the ministry. 厚労省は、規制値を厳格化するのは「安心確保」のためと説明している。具体的には、食品を通じた「内部被曝(ひばく)」のリスクが今の５分の１以下になるという。
If the new ceilings proposed by the ministry are introduced, decisions on such matters as banning shipments of food would be made on the basis of the toughened criteria. 導入後は、これに基づき出荷停止などが判断される。
Careful attention should be paid, however, to the possibility of stricter limits instead heightening the risk of social unease. しかし、規制値を厳しくすることで社会不安が高まるリスクも注意深く見極める必要があろう。
If the new criteria are enforced, there may be many cases in which food items with "safe" radiation levels under the current limits would be found to contain "excessive" levels of radioactive cesium. It is therefore feared that shipments of foodstuffs could be suspended one after another. 暫定規制値で十分「安全」の範囲なのに、新規制値で「超過」と判定される例が想定される。出荷停止が続発しはしないか。
The current provisional ceilings are already markedly strict as they are one-half to one-fourth the regulatory limits in the United States and European countries. Because of this, the government and many experts have said in explaining the provisional ceilings that eating foods whose radiation readings are slightly above the provisional limits does not mean they are "dangerous" to health. Instead, they say, people can eat them without fear. 現行の暫定規制値も、欧米の規制値の２分の１から４分の１程度と厳格だ。だから政府や専門家の多くは、規制値を多少超えた食品を口にしても、「危険」の域に入るのではなく心配は無用、と「解説」してきた経緯がある。
The health ministry, before implementation of the new ceilings, is set to seek understanding and cooperation from local governments and industries concerned about toughening the limits. For some categories of food, the ministry is considering taking "tentative steps," or measures to delay the application of new ceilings. 厚労省は、新規制値導入に際して関係自治体、業界にも理解と協力を求める方針だ。食品によっては、新規制値の適用時期を遅らせる「経過措置」も検討する。
To measure radiation levels in accordance with the new ceilings, high-precision instruments capable of detecting radioactive cesium at a single-digit level of becquerels will be needed. Some industries may be unable to obtain such instruments immediately. The switch from the current ceilings to new ones, therefore, should be preceded by sufficient time to make preparations. 新規制値に対応するには、微量のセシウムも測れる精密測定装置が要るが、直ちに準備できない業界もあるだろう。規制切り替えは時間をかけて進めるべきだ。
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Cesium levels dwindling
In its studies of the advisability of introducing the new criteria, the ministry has conducted a series of sampling examinations of a wide range of foodstuffs to find how much radioactive cesium they contain. 新規制値を検討するに当たり、厚労省は様々な食品にセシウムがどの程度含まれているか、抜き取り調査をしている。
According to the investigations, less than 1 percent of food items examined nationwide were found to contain radioactive cesium in excess of the provisional ceilings. Any foodstuffs with radioactive cesium exceeding the ceilings have been prohibited, in principle, from being put on the market. 調査によれば、全国で、暫定規制値を超えた食品は全体の１％未満に過ぎない。暫定規制値を超過した食品は原則、流通しない。
Moreover, the number of cases in which radioactive cesium has been detected at levels below the provisional ceilings has been gradually shrinking, the ministry says. A fact that should be taken into account is that, due to the characteristics of radioactive material, the quantity of radioactive cesium in food is certain to decline by a wide margin in the year to come. それ以下の食品でも検出例は減る傾向にある。放射性物質の特質として、セシウム量が１年後に大幅に減ることも考慮したい。
It is very important for the government to provide detailed explanations of such matters to spread accurate information about food safety among the public. こうした状況を国民に丁寧に説明し、食の安全への正しい理解を広めることが、まず重要だ。
Government efforts to ensure the safety of foodstuffs in the process of their distribution must continue to be undertaken in a reliable way. 流通過程での安全確認も、確実に継続しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 24, 2011) （2011年12月24日01時16分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 24, 2011) Yamba construction to restart after 2 years of meandering 八ッ場ダム 混乱と無策の果ての建設続行（12月23日付・読売社説）
After more than two years of turmoil, the government has finally settled the issue of whether to cancel or resume construction of the Yamba Dam in Gunma Prefecture. 建設中止か続行かを巡り、２年あまり迷走したあげくの決着である。
Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Takeshi Maeda has at last decided to resume construction of the dam in Naganoharamachi. The government will earmark costs for building the main structure, funds for which had been frozen, in the fiscal 2012 budget. 群馬県の八ッ場(やんば)ダムについて、前田国土交通相がようやく建設続行を決めた。これを受け、凍結していた本体工事の費用を２０１２年度予算案に盛り込むことになった。
The decision was based on a reexamination of the project by the ministry, in which it judged "construction of the dam is most desirable" in terms of flood control and water utilization effects as well as project costs. 治水や利水効果、事業費などの面で「建設は最良」とする国交省の検証結果を踏まえた決定だ。
We think the decision is quite appropriate. 極めて妥当な判断と言える。
The concept for the Yamba Dam project dates back about 60 years. It is designed to prevent floods in watershed areas of the Tonegawa river system and provide a water resource for the Kanto region. With a total construction cost of 460 billion yen, the dam will be one of largest in the country. 約６０年前に構想が持ち上がった八ッ場ダムは、利根川流域の洪水防止と関東圏の水源としての利用が目的で、総工費４６００億円の国内最大級のダムである。
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Maehara started turmoil
Under the slogan "from concrete to people," the Democratic Party of Japan included cancellation of the Yamba Dam project in its manifesto for the 2009 House of Representatives election, which brought about the DPJ-led administration. 民主党は「コンクリートから人へ」を掲げ、０９年衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）に八ッ場ダムの建設中止を盛り込んだ。
Seiji Maehara, now the DPJ's Policy Research Committee chair, became infrastructure minister after the 2009 election. Based on the manifesto's promise, he forcibly terminated the dam's construction without any consultation with local governments involved. That was the start of the turmoil. 政権交代後、国交相に就任した民主党の前原政調会長が、マニフェストを理由に、地元との協議もなく強引に建設をストップしたのが迷走劇の発端だ。
In the face of strong opposition by residents and local governments, then Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Sumio Mabuchi in autumn 2010 effectively nullified Maehara's decision on the project. Subsequently, the ministry had been reexamining the project to decide whether the dam should be constructed. 地元住民や関係自治体の反発を受け、１０年秋には当時の馬淵国交相が中止を事実上棚上げした。その後、国交省が建設の可否を判断する検証作業を続けていた。
The DPJ has never come up with an alternative plan. Land ministers after Maehara just put off reaching a conclusion, bowing to the "manifesto-supremacism" within the party. This is nothing but political delinquency. The government as well as the DPJ must reflect seriously on their actions. 民主党は代替案も示さず、歴代国交相は党内のマニフェスト至上主義に配慮し、結論を先送りしてきただけだ。これでは政治の怠慢以外の何物でもない。政府・民主党は、猛省すべきである。
Maehara bears a particular heavy responsibility. 特に前原氏の責任は重い。
Although it was crystal clear there would be enormous side effects to canceling the construction, he did not accept the results of the ministry's reexamination of the project--which concluded construction is appropriate--to the end. 建設中止の副作用が大きいことは明白だったのに、建設が妥当と結論付けた検証結果を最後まで受け入れようとしなかった。
"If the government forces the construction costs through in the budget, the party won't approve it. I won't let the Cabinet approve it," Maehara said Thursday. This is going too far. It is unbelievable that these are statements of the policy chief of the ruling party. He should not cause further turmoil. 前原氏が「無理やり予算に入れるなら、党としては認めない。閣議決定させない」とまで述べたのは、行き過ぎだ。政権党の政策責任者の発言とは思えない。これ以上の混乱は避けるべきだ。
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Residents made sacrifices
Years ago residents and local governments made a painful decision to accept the dam construction, and many residents moved from areas that were to be submerged under the planned dam lake. While the dam construction was up in the air, residents suffered more economic losses--a number of hot spring inns closed their doors, for example. 地元は苦渋の決断でダム建設を受け入れ、水没予定地から大勢の住民が転居した。ダム建設が宙に浮く間、温泉旅館の休業が相次ぐなど新たな打撃も受けた。
If construction had actually been canceled, plans to revive areas around the dam as tourism spots might have been scrapped. このうえ建設中止となれば、ダム観光で再生を図る計画も頓挫しかねないところだった。
Already 80 percent of the total project costs have been spent on related works, such as construction of roads to replace ones that will become unusable. If the project had been axed, the government would have had to return funds to Tokyo and five other prefectures of the Tonegawa basin, which had paid out more than half of these costs. 道路の付け替えなど関連事業に総事業費の８割がすでに投じられている。中止の場合、半分以上を支出した流域の１都５県に対し、政府が費用を返還しなければならなくなる問題もあった。
We do not think anyone in the DPJ can say the party fully took such factors into consideration while the party was creating the manifesto. The government needs to flexibly review policies if defects and misjudgments become clear. It must learn this lesson from the Yamba Dam issue. マニフェストを作成する段階でこうした事情を十分考慮したとは言えまい。欠陥や誤算が判明すれば、柔軟に見直す必要がある。八ッ場ダムから学ぶべき教訓だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 23, 2011) （2011年12月23日01時38分 読売新聞）
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 22 EDITORIAL: Clock is ticking on tax reform to finance the future 一体改革―税制の全体像を描け
The tax debate among government and ruling party policymakers involved in the development of a draft plan for integrated tax and social security reform is coming to a head. This is an important process to secure financing of the social security reform plan recently drawn up by the government. 社会保障と税の一体改革の素案づくりで、政府・与党の税制論議が正念場を迎えた。先にまとまった社会保障改革案の財源を確保する大切な作業だ。
The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Japan decided in June to gradually raise the consumption tax rate to 10 percent by the mid-2010s as part of the integrated reform. The first thing is to decide on specifics of the proposed consumption tax hike--the timing and scale of each of the tax increases. ２０１０年代半ばまでに段階的に消費税率を１０％まで引き上げる――まずは政府・与党が６月に決めたこの方針に沿って、いつ、何％ずつ引き上げるか、決めなければならない。
The ruling camp has made it clear that all the revenue from the consumption tax will be used to finance growing social security spending. This policy is based on the notion that the consumption tax, which everyone pays at the point of purchase, is suitable as a revenue source to fund the social security system, the principal social safety net based on mutual aid among all members of society. 消費税は社会保障だけにあてる目的税とする。誰もが負担する消費税は、社会全体で支え合う社会保障の財源にふさわしいとの考えに基づく。
But raising the consumption tax rate to 10 percent alone will not put social security on a firm and sustainable financial footing. ただ、税率を１０％に上げても社会保障が万全になるわけではない。
The government’s social security spending, including health care, pension, nursing care and child care benefits, will reach 108 trillion yen ($1.383 trillion) in fiscal 2011, which runs through March 2012. 医療や年金、介護、子育てなど社会保障の給付費は１０８兆円（１１年度）。
Of that total, nearly 60 trillion yen is financed by social security premiums collected from taxpayers. The revenue from a 10-percent consumption tax is less than 30 trillion yen, while social security spending keeps growing by 3 trillion yen every year. The consumption tax hike now being discussed will only be one landmark in the long process of making the social security system financially sustainable. 保険料で６０兆円近くをまかなうが、１０％の消費税で得られる税収は３０兆円に及ばない。給付は高齢化などで毎年３兆円ずつ増えていくだけに、議論中の消費増税も長い道のりの一里塚にすぎない。
That is why it is vital to start a serious and in-depth debate on taxes other than the consumption tax from the viewpoint of the future of the nation’s tax system. だからこそ、税制の将来像を見すえて、消費税以外の税も議論を深める必要がある。
The government has already decided to lower the effective corporate tax rate in response to intensifying international competition companies are facing. So the debate on the future of the tax system should focus on such key levies as income and inheritance taxes. 法人税は国際競争の厳しさを考慮して実効税率の引き下げが決まっており、所得税や相続税が焦点となる。
One proposal would change the current six income tax brackets--ranging from 5 to 40 percent--and raise the top tax rate to 45 percent. 所得税では、５～４０％の６段階の税率区分を見直し、最高税率を４５％に引き上げる案が出ている。
The government is also considering shrinking various tax deductions, which reduce the amount of income subject to tax. 課税の際に所得から差し引く各種の控除も、縮小の方向だ。
The draft bill for tax changes for the next fiscal year already includes a provision to impose a ceiling on the standard income deduction applied to corporate employees. This provision was first proposed as part of the tax changes for the current fiscal year but later dropped amid partisan confrontation at the Diet. すでに来年度税制改正案には、サラリーマンに適用される給与所得控除に上限を設ける案が盛り込まれた。与野党の対立から、今年度の税制改正で実現しなかった案だ。
The state general-account budget is in dire straits, with the amount of government bond issues, or the government’s overall borrowing, exceeding the total tax revenue. 国の一般会計は、借金である国債発行額が税収を上回る異常事態が続く。
It is now inevitable that the tax burden on high-income earners will be increased in addition to raising the consumption tax. 消費税の増税とともに、所得が多い人の負担を重くするのは避けられない。
But effective efforts should be made to avoid putting an excessive load on the working population, or people who bear the burden of swelling social security spending in an aging society. しかし、高齢社会を支える現役世代に過度の負担がかからないよう、気を配らなければならない。
It is also necessary to debate the question of what would be the best balance between premium payments for health-care, pension and nursing care programs and income tax payments. 医療、年金、介護の保険料負担と所得税とのバランスも議論する必要がある。
In planning an increase in the social security burden, the emphasis should be placed on taxation of assets. 重視すべきは、資産への課税だろう。
Another proposal for fiscal 2011 tax changes that fell through would have reduced the basic deduction for the inheritance tax and lifted the top rate to 55 percent from 50 percent. This is a good place to start. その柱となる相続税も今年度に成立しなかった案がある。基礎控除を縮小し、最高税率も５０％から５５％に引き上げる内容だ。これが出発点になる。
With economic inequality widening in this nation, it would make sense, also from the viewpoint of fairness, to increase the tax burden on people who have a significant amount of assets coming, for example, from a large inheritance from their parents. 社会の格差が広がる中、親からまとまった財産を受け継いだりして資産を持つ人に、より負担を求めることは、公平性の観点からも望ましい。
The government and the ruling party first need to draw up a vision for the overall tax reform focused on the consumption tax. Then, they need to develop a specific plan and timetable for pushing through the reform. 消費税を中心に据えながら税制の全体像を描く。どんな手順で改革を進めるか、素案を工程表づくりにつなげる。それが政府と与党の責務だ。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 22, 2011) Beef up international cooperation on nuclear, abduction issues 日米外相会談 「核」「拉致」進展へ協力強化を（12月21日付・読売社説）
We hope the change of leadership in North Korea will be a chance to resolve the long-pending issues of that country's nuclear development program and abduction of Japanese nationals. 北朝鮮の指導者の交代を、核開発と日本人拉致問題という長年の懸案を解決するための足がかりとしたい。
During their meeting in Washington on Monday, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton agreed it was important to ensure that the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il did not negatively affect peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. 玄葉外相とクリントン米国務長官がワシントンで会談し、北朝鮮の金正日総書記の死去について「朝鮮半島における平和と安定に悪影響を与えないことが重要だ」との認識で一致した。
Gemba and Clinton also agreed that the two countries would cooperate and promote information-sharing with other countries concerned, including South Korea, China and Russia. 日米両国が韓国、中国、ロシアなど関係国と情報共有を進め、協調することでも合意した。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and U.S. President Barack Obama spoke on the phone Tuesday and confirmed that their two countries would work together toward stabilization of the Korean Peninsula. 野田首相とオバマ大統領も電話で、朝鮮半島の安定化へ日米両国が連携することを確認した。
The immediate common interest for not only Japan and the United States but also the other countries concerned, including China and South Korea, is ensuring that unpredictable events such as a coup d'etat or military provocation do not happen in North Korea. Close, multilayered cooperation is needed among the countries concerned. 当面、北朝鮮でのクーデターや軍事的挑発など、不測の事態を招かないようにすることが、日米だけでなく、中韓両国を含む関係国の共通の利益だ。各国の緊密かつ重層的な協力が求められる。
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Give up nuclear ambition
From a medium- and long-range perspective, it is essential to convey to Kim's successor Kim Jong Un and other leaders of the new North Korean regime that relinquishing its nuclear ambition is indispensable to reconstructing the battered economy. The countries concerned must lead North Korea in that direction. 中長期的には、金総書記の後継者の金正恩氏ら新指導部に対し、疲弊した経済の再建には核放棄が欠かせないことを伝え、その方向に誘導することが肝要となる。
The key element in this area could be cooperation with China, which exerts influence over North Korea through food and energy assistance. 重要なのは、食糧やエネルギー支援を通じて北朝鮮に影響力を及ぼしている中国との連携だ。
Tokyo and Washington must hold consultative talks with Beijing to devise concrete strategies on how to work on Pyongyang. いかに北朝鮮に働きかけるか、日米は中国と協議し、具体的な戦略を練らねばならない。
Recent U.S.-North Korea talks saw a certain degree of progress on food assistance and halting uranium enrichment activities. It will be important for the countries concerned to move in step with each other toward the next round of U.S.-North Korea talks, which may be held as soon as early January, and the six-nation talks on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula to be held afterward. 最近の米朝協議では、食糧支援とウラン濃縮活動の停止に関する交渉が一定程度進んでいた。年明け以降の次回協議と、その後の６か国協議に向けて、関係国の足並みをそろえることが大切だ。
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Tripartite dialogue significant
In his meeting with Clinton, Gemba proposed creating a framework for dialogue involving Tokyo, Washington and Beijing, and Clinton concurred. China is wary of such a move, but tripartite dialogue would have great significance for peace and prosperity in Asia. Strenuous efforts are needed to achieve that goal. 外相会談では、玄葉外相が日米中３か国の対話の枠組みを作ることを提案し、クリントン長官も賛同した。中国は慎重だが、日米中の対話はアジアの平和と繁栄にとって大きな意味を持つ。粘り強く実現を追求したい。
For Japan, moving forward on the deadlocked abduction issue is a top priority. 日本にとっては、膠着(こうちゃく)状態にある拉致問題を前に動かすことも、最重要の課題である。
There have been no negotiations on the issue since September 2008, when North Korea unilaterally broke its promise to reinvestigate the abductees' cases. 北朝鮮が２００８年９月に拉致被害者の再調査の約束を一方的に反故(ほご)にして以来、日朝協議は一度も開かれていない。
In the Washington meeting, Gemba also sought U.S. cooperation in resolving the abduction issue. His request reflected expectations among the families of abductees that Kim's death will contribute to progress toward a resolution. 玄葉外相は会談で、拉致問題への米国の協力を要請した。金総書記死去が拉致問題の進展の契機となることを期待する被害者家族らの声を踏まえたものだ。
If progress is made on the nuclear issue, it is also possible regarding the abductions. There used to be differences in the level of interest regarding a solution among Japan and its allies the United States and South Korea. But in recent years Washington and Seoul have consistently supported Japan's position on the matter. So the international environment is not unfavorable for Japan. 核問題が進めば、拉致問題も動く可能性がある。拉致問題では従来、米韓両国と日本の間に温度差もあったが、最近、両国は日本の立場を一貫して支持しており、国際環境は悪くない。
Of course, we cannot be too optimistic when it comes to North Korea. But now is the time for the government to make utmost efforts to work toward resolving the abduction issue. 無論、北朝鮮に対して楽観は禁物だが、政府は今こそ、拉致問題の前進に最大限努力すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun Dec. 21, 2011) （2011年12月21日01時17分 読売新聞）
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 20 EDITORIAL: Cooperation needed to prevent chaos in Pyongyang 金正日総書記死去―混乱回避へ各国は協調を
North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has died. 金正日総書記が死去した。
Under Kim's rule, North Korea developed nuclear weapons, ignoring international rules. Its economy is in tatters, with people suffering from acute food shortages. The country also abducted many Japanese citizens and still repeatedly violates human rights. Its government strictly controls the information made available to the public. 世界のルールを無視して核を開発する。経済は苦境にあり、食糧も足りない。日本人を拉致し、人権侵害を繰り返す。国民への情報は厳しく統制する。
Kim was a dictator who held absolute power in this outlandish and outrageous country. そんな異様な国、北朝鮮ですべての権力を握っていた独裁者だった。
It is still unclear how the transition of power will play out in the secluded nation. But there is no doubt that Kim's death offers an opportunity for North Korea to change itself dramatically. At the same time, however, it creates a precarious situation that could throw the nation into serious turmoil. 後継体制がどう動き出すのかは、まだわからない。だが、北朝鮮そのものが大きく変わり得る機会であるとともに、国内が一気に動揺する恐れもある事態であることは確かだ。
There have been no signs of unsettling developments in the country, at least so far. 今のところ、不穏な動きは見えないようだが、
But South Korea and the United States have put their armed forces on emergency alert. Japan and other countries concerned should work in close cooperation in dealing with any situation that may arise following the dictator's death. 韓国は米軍とともに非常警戒態勢に入った。日本をはじめ関係国は、緊密な連携を図らねばならない。
It seems that Kim died suddenly. According to local media, he suffered a heart attack on a special train as he was traveling to the country during an "on-site guidance" tour, a practice that was introduced by his father, Kim Il Sung, who founded the country after the end of World War II. 急死だったようだ。父の金日成主席をまねた「現地指導」と呼ばれる地方視察に向かう特別列車内で、心筋梗塞（こうそく）を起こしたという。
Three generations of hereditary rule ■異様な３代世襲
Kim was long one of the world's most enigmatic leaders. 世界で長く「謎の多い指導者」の筆頭格だった。
He was chosen as the successor to his father in a secret meeting of the Korean Worker's Party in 1974 and appeared in public for the first time in the party convention in 1980. １９７４年の朝鮮労働党の秘密会で後継者に決まり、８０年の党大会で初めて公に姿を現した。
Kim solidified his grip on power by taking advantage of his father's powerful backing and established a dictatorship based on a personality cult like that of a feudal dynasty. 父の威を借りて権力を掌握していき、個人崇拝の封建王朝のような独裁を敷いた。
Kim drastically changed his image as a leader who remains behind the scenes through a series of high-profile diplomatic actions he started taking in 2000. 「表に出ない指導者」像を一変させたのが、２０００年からの一連の首脳外交だった。
As a starter, he met with then South Korean President Kim Dae-jung in the first summit between the leaders of the two Koreas. His spirited exchanges were televised and immediately earned the North Korean leader a reputation as a person well informed about international affairs. Kim Jong Il also met with the leaders of both China and Russia, as well as a U.S. Secretary of State. He held talks with then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi twice. 韓国の金大中大統領と初の南北首脳会談を持ち、画面に流れる丁々発止のやり取りから、一躍、世界情勢に通じた人物とされた。中国やロシアの首脳、米国務長官とも会い、小泉首相とは２回会談した。
Kim's diplomacy was described as "brinkmanship diplomacy" or "saber-rattling diplomacy" because he used his nuclear and missile programs as leverage to extract concessions from other countries. 外交はもっぱら、核兵器開発やミサイルを武器にした危うい手法で、「瀬戸際外交」「恫喝（どうかつ）外交」とも言われた。
Kim also started diplomatic efforts to build a formal relationship with the United States and revive his country's dilapidated economy as a way to maintain his autocratic regime. But he died before achieving the goals. みずからの体制護持を目的とした、米国との関係構築と経済再生は、道半ばに終わった。
His third son, Kim Jong Un, has been groomed as his anointed successor. 後継の指導者に三男の金正恩氏が座ることは既定路線だ。
The younger Kim may not assume the official leadership posts held by his father until after the period of national mourning expires. 正式な後継ポスト就任は、まだ先の喪明けになるかもしれない。
But the dictator's son is likely to attain supreme power as a third-generation hereditary ruler--a striking anomaly in a country that claims to stand for socialist principles. だが、社会主義を標榜（ひょうぼう）する国で、特異すぎる３代世襲が実現しそうだ。
The process of the transition of power to Kim Jong Un, who has yet to turn 30, began only three years ago when his father suffered a stroke. まだ３０歳前の金正恩氏は、３年前に父が脳卒中で倒れてから後継体制づくりが本格化したばかりだ。
In stark contrast, Kim Jong Il had some 20 years to solidify his position as the successor to his father. 約２０年間かけて先々代から権力を着実に引き継いだ先代とは事情が違う。
It is probably reasonable to assume that the nation will be under de facto collective leadership for the time being. A group of close aides will support the younger Kim's rule behind the scenes while ensuring that the new leader will stand at center stage. おそらく、金正恩氏を表舞台で立てつつ、側近陣が支える事実上の集団指導で進むと考えるのが自然だろう。
We cannot, of course, tolerate North Korea's nuclear tests and test-firing of ballistic missiles. We also cannot overlook Pyongyang's attempt to intimidate the international community by suddenly launching an artillery attack on a neighboring country. We are opposed to the country's system of keeping a close watch on citizens and sending anyone it doesn't like to dreadful concentration camps. もちろん、私たちは核実験や弾道ミサイルの発射実験をする姿勢は許せない。いきなり隣国に砲撃を加えて国際社会を威嚇することも看過できない。住民を監視し、過酷な収容所に送るような体制にも反対だ。
Road map to get rid of North Korea's nukes ■核廃棄の道筋を
The demise of the dictator should not be allowed to unsettle North Korea and destabilize surrounding areas. 独裁者の喪失で北朝鮮が動揺し、周辺が不安定になってもいけない。
Is it possible that Kim's death will trigger a fierce power struggle within the military or among the party elite during the period of transition? 後継体制への移行期に、軍や党のエリート内で金総書記死去を機に権力争いが激しくならないか。
It has long been assumed that North Koreans, despite their deep anger and resentment over their destitution and the regime's tight control on their lives, are unable to organize themselves because of close mutual surveillance. But is it possible now that people in the country will put up organized resistance against the regime and flee the country as refugees in droves? 困窮と規制に不満を募らせつつも、厳しい相互監視のために組織化できないとされてきた住民たちが抵抗し、難民として大挙して流出するような事態に陥らないか。
Such confusion must be averted at any cost. こうした混乱は何としても避けねばならない。
The big question now is whether North Korea will make serious efforts to improve its relations with neighboring countries in order to attain economic and social stability at home. そのうえで、北朝鮮が経済と社会の安定を図って、周辺国との関係改善に、真摯（しんし）に臨むのかどうか。それが当面の大きな課題になる。
To tackle the formidable challenges it is facing, North Korea needs to shift its foreign policy toward cooperation with other countries and change itself into a country that respects international rules and follows common sense. 課題を解くには、まず北朝鮮が対外協調にかじを切り替え、「常識の通ずる国」に変わらなければならない。
The international community has an important role to play in leading Pyongyang in the right direction. In dealing with this erratic nation, other countries should put the priority on ensuring that the nuclear materials produced and stockpiled by the regime will be strictly controlled to prevent their proliferation. 同時に、国際社会の役割も大きい。北朝鮮が開発し貯（た）めている核物質を厳重に管理し、拡散させないことを最優先に対応すべきだ。
First of all, the six-party talks that have mapped out a plan for North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions should be put back on track. Then, concrete steps should be taken according to the plan. まずは、核放棄の道筋を描いた６者協議を再び軌道に乗せる。そして実際の行動を積み重ねていくことだ。
The issue of North Korea's development of nuclear weapons has gained more urgency as the country has admitted to enriching uranium. 北朝鮮の核問題は、ウラン濃縮が新たに加わって、危機がより高まっている。
Kim Jong Il died just when the United States and North Korea were beginning to take the first step toward breaking the current impasse. But this window of opportunity should be taken to resume talks over Pyongyang's nuclear ambition. 米国と北朝鮮が状況を動かす端緒をつかみかけた段階での総書記死去だったが、核協議の再開へつなげていく必要がある。
Solving the abduction issue ■拉致解決の糸口探れ
Cooperation among the countries concerned is crucial for preventing confusion in North Korea. 北朝鮮の混乱回避にも、関係国の協調が欠かせない。
China is North Korea's largest ally, while the United States holds the key to the country's national security. 中国は北朝鮮の最大の後ろ盾であり、米国は北朝鮮の安全保障の鍵を握っている。
Russia is raising its economic profile in the Far East, while South Korea, which is pursuing a vision of future unification of the Korean Peninsula, is directly affected by what is happening in the North. All the countries concerned should work together in dealing with North Korea through a combination of pressure and dialogue. ロシアは経済的にも極東で存在感を強め、韓国は朝鮮半島の将来的な統一も視野に入れた当事者だ。各国が歩調を合わせて、圧力と対話を組み合わせ、北朝鮮と向き合うことだ。
Japan, also a victim of Pyongyang's abduction of foreign nationals, has a direct interest in peace and stability in the region. 日本ももちろん、この地域の平和と安定に直接かかわる。そして拉致の被害者でもある。
North Korea has made no serious effort to honor its promise three years ago to carry out a fresh investigation on the fate of Japanese citizens it abducted decades ago. There has been no progress either in the talks between Tokyo and Pyongyang toward establishing a formal diplomatic relationship. 北朝鮮が３年前に約束した拉致被害者の再調査も、国交正常化に向けた日朝協議も全く進んでいない。
Japan should develop a new strategy to find a way to make real progress toward a solution of the abduction issue. 総書記の死去を契機に、拉致問題の進展を図る糸口をつかむ戦略を立てなければならない。
Japan needs to prepare itself to make flexible and bold responses to any significant changes that might happen in North Korea. 北朝鮮の変化に、柔軟かつ大胆に動く備えと知恵が必要だ。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 20, 2011) Don't make easy compromise on 'comfort women' issue 日韓首脳会談 慰安婦で安易な妥協は禁物だ（12月19日付・読売社説）
Japan absolutely must refrain from making an easy compromise on the issue of so-called comfort women. いわゆる従軍慰安婦の問題で、日本が安易な妥協を図ることは、厳に慎む必要がある。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda met with South Korean President Lee Myung Bak in Kyoto on Sunday. 野田首相と韓国の李明博大統領が京都で会談した。
During their talks, the president sought the prime minister's "decision" on the issue, insisting that resolving it should be given priority while some former comfort women are still alive. 大統領は慰安婦問題について、元慰安婦が生きている間に「優先的に解決すべきだ」と述べ、「首相の決断」を求めた。
The prime minister reiterated Japan's position that the issue had been legally settled but called for using wisdom from a humanitarian standpoint. 首相は、賠償問題は法的に解決済みとする一方、「人道的な見地から知恵を絞ろう」と語った。
The president apparently brought up the comfort women issue with a view to recent developments in his country, such as a stiffening of public sentiment after South Korea's constitutional court ruled that it was unconstitutional for the government not to make an effort to have Japan pay compensation to the comfort women. 大統領が慰安婦問題を提起したのは、韓国政府に解決への努力を求める憲法裁判所の決定や韓国世論の硬化などの事情があろう。
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Already a settled matter
However, Japan and South Korea already signed a bilateral accord stating that the right to demand wartime compensation had been "fully and finally settled" when the two countries normalized diplomatic ties in 1965. だが、戦時中などの賠償請求権問題については、既に１９６５年の日韓国交正常化の際、「完全かつ最終的に解決された」との国際協定を締結している。
The government must firmly maintain this position. The issue involves recognizing the facts of history. So, even if Japan were to take half measures from a "humanitarian standpoint," it would be difficult to satisfy South Korea and would only be likely to further complicate the problem. 政府は、この立場を堅持すべきだ。歴史認識にもかかわる問題であり、仮に「人道的な見地」から中途半端な措置を取っても、韓国側を満足させることは困難で、問題を複雑化するだけだろう。
More problematic is the South Korean government's tacit approval of a South Korean private organization setting up a statue of a girl symbolizing comfort women in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. むしろ問題は、韓国の民間団体がソウルの日本大使館前に慰安婦を象徴する少女像を設置し、韓国政府が黙認していることだ。
In their meeting, Noda requested of Lee that the statue be removed as soon as possible. But the president objected, saying that unless Japan takes sincere measures, another statue will be added every time a former comfort woman dies. 野田首相は会談で、少女像の早期撤去を要請した。大統領は「日本の誠意ある措置がなければ、元慰安婦が亡くなるたびに、第２、第３の銅像が建てられるだろう」などと反論した。
South Korea's argument makes no sense. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations stipulates that "the receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps...to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity." この韓国側の主張はおかしい。外交関係に関するウィーン条約は、外交公館の「安寧の妨害または威厳の侵害を防止する適当な措置」を取る「特別の責務」が受け入れ国にある、と定めている。
The Japanese government believes the South Korean government's tacit approval of the statue violates the convention. Noda was quite right to demand the statue's removal. The Japanese government must tenaciously urge the South Korean side to remove it. 日本政府は、少女像設置の黙認は条約違反とみている。首相の主張は当然だ。今後も、粘り強く撤去を促さねばならない。
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Other important topics sidelined
The comfort women issue wound up taking a conspicuously long time in the bilateral summit meeting, which failed to deepen discussions on other important issues. The South Korean side is responsible for this result. 会談で慰安婦問題が突出し、他の重要議題の議論が深まらなかった原因は、韓国側にある。
However, it is also important to keep the comfort women issue from causing the Japan-South Korea relationship to stagnate. ただ、慰安婦問題が、日韓関係を停滞させるのを避けることも重要だ。
As for the stalled negotiations on the economic partnership agreement between the two countries, Noda called for accelerating discussions to resume the talks as soon as possible, but the president did not give a positive response. 中断している経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）交渉について野田首相は、早期再開へ議論を加速させることを提案したが、大統領から前向きな回答はなかった。
Apparently wary of a further increase in its trade deficit with Japan, South Korea remains cautious about resuming the negotiations. However, if Japan moves forward by boldly opening its market, it will benefit both countries quite a lot. 韓国は、対日赤字の拡大を警戒し、交渉再開に慎重だ。だが、日本が大胆な市場開放に踏み出せば互いに得るものは大きい。
If Japan and South Korea fail to keep in step with each other on issues involving North Korea, such as its nuclear development program and abduction of Japanese nationals, it could only benefit North Korea. 北朝鮮の核と拉致の問題も、日韓の足並みが乱れれば、北朝鮮を利する展開になりかねない。
The two countries should cooperate on economic and security issues from a broader viewpoint to steadily move forward on various problems. 日韓双方が大局的見地から経済や安全保障問題で協力し、着実に前進させることが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 19, 2011) （2011年12月19日01時10分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 19, 2011) U.S. sanctions on Iran likely to affect Japan most 米イラン制裁 懸念される原油取引への影響（12月18日付・読売社説）
Iran has refused to comply with the international community's demands that the country prove it is not developing nuclear weapons. It is unavoidable for other nations to pressure Iran to reconsider its stance by strengthening sanctions. 核兵器開発疑惑の解明を拒むイランに、国際社会が制裁強化の圧力をかけて翻意を促すのは当然のことだ。
However, if sanctions are introduced incorrectly, they could have a negative impact on other countries, including Japan, which imports oil from Iran. だが制裁のやり方を誤れば、イラン原油を輸入する日本などへの悪影響も懸念される。
We should carefully and thoroughly study the impact of the new U.S. sanctions on Iran, which were recently approved by Congress. 米議会が可決したイランへの追加制裁案の効果については、慎重な見極めが必要である。
The sanctions, which were included in an annual U.S. defense authorization bill, limit dollar-based transactions between U.S. financial institutions and those in foreign countries, including Japan, which engage in transactions with the Central Bank of Iran. 制裁は、イラン中央銀行と金融取引する日本など外国金融機関に、米金融機関とのドル取引を制限するという内容で、国防権限法案に盛り込まれた。
The sanctions will come into effect six months after U.S. President Barack Obama signs the bill into law. オバマ大統領の署名で成立し、半年の猶予期間を経て発効するという。
The Central Bank of Iran is in charge of settling accounts for the nation's oil trade. Therefore, it plays a crucial economic role as oil accounts for about 80 percent of the country's exports. イラン中銀は、イランの輸出総額の８割を占める原油取引の決済にあたる中枢機関だ。
If foreign banks stop doing business with the central bank to avoid being targeted by U.S. sanctions, it will be difficult for Iran to export oil. 米国の制裁対象になることを恐れて外国銀行がイラン中銀との取引を中止すれば、原油輸出は困難になる。
This is the aim of the United States--to prevent funds accrued from oil exports from being used to develop nuclear weapons. 米国はこれにより、核開発資金への転用阻止を狙っている。
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Negative effects of sanctions
However, if Iranian oil supplies decline due to the U.S. sanctions, international oil prices are likely to jump. しかし、制裁でイランの原油供給量が滞り、原油の国際価格の高騰を招く恐れもある。
The sanctions will be meaningless if the oil price increase benefits Iran or cools down the world economy. その結果、イランが潤ったり、世界経済が冷え込んだりする事態を招けば、制裁は意味を失う。
What is more disconcerting is the influence sanctions could have on Japan, which is Iran's second-largest oil export partner after China. さらに気がかりなのは、イランにとって、中国に次ぐ第２位の原油輸出先である日本への影響だ。
About 10 percent of Japan's total oil imports come from Iran. 日本は総輸入原油の１割程度をイランから調達している。
Among U.S. allies, the sanctions are likely to affect Japan the most. 米の追加制裁によって、同盟国では最も甚大な影響を被る可能性がある。
If sanctions are imposed, Japan could be doubly hit by difficulty in procuring oil and high oil prices. This would hinder rebuilding the nation from the aftermath of the March 11 disaster. Our economy also may slow down. 原油の調達不安に価格高騰が重なれば、震災復興に支障が出るし、経済も冷え込もう。
According to reports, some exemptions are permitted, such as removing foreign financial institutions from the sanctions list if they meet certain conditions. The U.S. president also is authorized to refrain from imposing sanctions for security reasons. 制裁案には、一定の条件を満たした外国金融機関を制裁対象から外す特例措置や、安全保障の観点から制裁発動を避ける大統領権限が設けられているという。
The government must closely liaise with the U.S. administration and draw up measures to avoid Japan's oil imports being affected by the U.S. sanctions. 政府は、原油輸入に支障が出ないよう、米国と緊密に協議し、万策を講じなければならない。
Other countries share similar concerns, such as South Korea--which imports about 10 percent of its oil imports from Iran--Greece, Italy, Spain and other European countries. イランに輸入原油の１割を依存している韓国や、イタリアやスペイン、ギリシャなど一部の欧州諸国も事情は同じだ。 The Obama administration needs to implement the sanctions carefully. オバマ政権は、追加制裁の運用に際して慎重な配慮をすべきである。
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China's reactions key
We also need to keep an eye on Beijing's moves in relation to the U.S. sanctions, as China is the largest importer of Iranian oil. 注視したいのは、イランにとって最大の原油輸出先である中国の出方だ。
China has been critical of imposing any sanctions on Iran. 中国は、制裁自体に否定的だ。
If the U.S.-China relationship becomes strained because of the new sanctions, it will become more difficult to form an international coalition against Iran. 追加制裁をめぐり米中関係が緊張すれば、対イラン包囲網の形成はますます難しくなる。
Iran is expanding its uranium enrichment activities after ignoring four U.N. Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions on that country. イランは、国連安全保障理事会の４度にわたる制裁決議を無視して、ウラン濃縮活動を拡大している。
The United States, China and other permanent members of the Security Council should double their diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons. 核兵器保有を許さぬよう、米中など安保理常任理事国は外交努力を倍加すべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 18, 2011) （2011年12月18日01時10分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 18, 2011) Govt, DPJ must not shy away from increasing public burden 社会保障改革案 負担増求める施策を避けるな（12月17日付・読売社説）
Can progress be made on social security and tax reform by putting off decisions on such key issues as asking the public to accept higher tax burdens and lower pension benefits? 国民に負担増や給付減を求める改革を軒並み見送ることで、改革は前進するだろうか。
The Democratic Party of Japan's research council on integrated reform of the social security and taxation systems and the DPJ Tax System Research Committee held a joint meeting Friday. The meeting approved an outline of the social security-related portion of a draft of overall reform plans that is scheduled to be worked out before the end of the year. 民主党の「社会保障と税の一体改革調査会」と「税制調査会」が合同総会を開き、年内にもまとめる一体改革大綱素案のうち、社会保障分野に関する骨子を了承した。
The social security reform outline will likely be formally authorized by the government in a meeting early next week of five related Cabinet ministers. 週明けの関係５閣僚会合で、正式に政府案となる見通しだ。
It is praiseworthy that the joint meeting of the two key DPJ panels reached an accord to take concrete steps to rectify the overpayment of pension benefits, a question that has been pending since before the change of government that brought the DPJ to power in 2009. 政権交代前から懸案だった「年金特例水準」の解消に踏み切った点は評価できる。
Pension payouts are designed to fluctuate, in principle, in accordance with ups and downs in consumer prices. When the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito were in power, however, the government left payouts at the same level despite declines in prices. 年金額は原則として物価の変動に応じて上下するが、自公政権当時に物価が下落したのに年金額は据え置かれた。
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Don't avoid benefit cuts
As a result of the extraordinary measure to avoid cutting payouts, current pension payments are about 2.5 percent higher than they should be. この特例措置により、年金額は本来より２・５％高い。
The overpayment for the last 10 years may be as high as 7 trillion yen. 約１０年の累計で７兆円もの「払い過ぎ」が生じている。
According to the outline, pension benefits will be lowered in stages to a level considered appropriate over three years, starting in October 2012. 骨子では、来年１０月から３年かけて、年金額を本来の水準まで段階的に引き下げるとした。
To be exact, the planned adjustment of pension payouts should not be referred to as "reducing" pension benefits, but just returning benefits to a right and proper level. だが、これは正確には給付減ではなく、過払い分を適正額に戻すに過ぎない。
The outline also covers a wide range of measures for improving social security plans, such as an additional basic pension payment to elderly people in low income brackets and greater government support for child rearing. It rightly says many of these steps will be put into force "from the fiscal year when the consumption tax rate is raised." 骨子はまた、低所得の高齢者に基礎年金を加算することや、子育て支援策の充実については、多くに「消費税率引き上げ年度から実施する」と条件を付けた。
No policy measure can be implemented without securing a source of revenue to fund it. 財源の手当てなしに施策は実行できない。
Changing the social security system and raising the consumption tax are inseparably intertwined, and the DPJ and the government are urged to specify without delay when and by how much the 5 percent consumption tax will be hiked. 社会保障制度の手直しと消費税率引き上げは不可分であり、間を置かず、引き上げ幅と時期も明確に示すのが筋だろう。
The problem, however, is that the outline, while mentioning an array of measures to boost social security services, hardly refers to reforms that would require a greater burden on the public and cuts in benefits. 問題は、拡充策が並ぶ一方で、負担増・給付減を求める改革がほとんど見当たらないことだ。
Regarding the current medical care system for people aged 70 to 74--under which they pay 10 percent of their overall medical bills from their own pocket at medical facilities--the plan to raise the percentage to the originally intended 20 percent was shelved during discussions at the joint meeting. 暫定的に１割に据え置かれている７０～７４歳の医療費窓口負担を本来の２割に戻す案は見送られた。
To keep the current practice unchanged, the government is poised to earmark 200 billion yen in a supplementary budget to keep the system going in fiscal 2012. ２０００億円の補正予算を組んで来年度も実施する。
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Strong resolve crucial
Also pigeonholed was a reform plan to collect 100 yen from outpatients every time they visit a medical facility to secure funds to lower the financial burden of those who must pay for costly medical treatment. 医療費が高額になる人の負担軽減にあてる目的で、外来に１回かかるごとに１００円を徴収する改革案なども断念した。
In the draft the government and the ruling coalition parties mapped out in June for social security reform in tandem with taxation reform, it was envisioned that nearly 1.2 trillion yen in government spending would be trimmed through such steps as curbs on social security benefits. Meanwhile, revenues would be increased by about 2.7 trillion yen through a consumption tax hike. ６月に政府・与党がまとめた一体改革案では、給付の抑制などで１・２兆円近く節約し、約２・７兆円を消費税率の引き上げで賄う計算になっていた。
It is highly doubtful whether the outline approved in the joint meeting of the DPJ panels is compatible with the June draft. これと整合性がとれるのかどうか疑問だ。
It is hardly possible to make ends meet in social security services unless the DPJ and the government give priority to boosting the efficiency of the entire social security system by curbing benefits. 制度を一層効率化し、給付を抑制する視点も持たなければ、帳尻は合わないだろう。
The government and the ruling coalition parties are scheduled to enter last-ditch discussions next week about the wisdom of raising the consumption tax. 政府・与党は、来週から、消費税率引き上げの大詰めの議論に入る。
They must be candid enough to squarely seek the public's understanding of the need to accept greater burdens that are deemed essential. 国民に対して、必要な負担増はきちんと求める必要がある。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and DPJ executives must have strong resolve in winning over opponents of a higher consumption tax, thus concluding the issue within the year as the prime minister has pledged. 野田首相と民主党幹部は、断固とした姿勢で消費税増税への反対派を説得し、公約通り、年内に結論を出さねばならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 17, 2011) （2011年12月17日01時31分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 17, 2011) Piles of problems left in Iraq after withdrawal of U.S. forces イラク戦争終結 米軍撤収後も山積する課題（12月16日付・読売社説）
Eight years and nine months after launching a war against Iraq, the United States is poised to finally bring its military operations in that country to a historic end. 対イラク開戦から８年９か月。米国は、イラク戦争にようやく歴史的な区切りをつける。
U.S. President Barack Obama declared the end of the war at a ceremony held Wednesday at Fort Bragg, N.C., a U.S. Army installation, to welcome home soldiers who had been deployed to Iraq. オバマ米大統領が、ノースカロライナ州の陸軍基地での帰還兵歓迎式で「戦争の終結」を宣言した。
During his presidential election campaign, Obama criticized the administration of former President George W. Bush for committing the United States to the "wrong war" in Iraq. Obama pledged an early withdrawal from Iraq, and won the 2008 presidential election. 大統領は、ブッシュ前政権が始めたイラク戦争を「間違った戦争」と批判し、２００８年大統領選で早期撤退を公約して当選した。
The last U.S. troops stationed in Iraq will finish leaving the country shortly, thus fulfilling the promise Obama made after he took office to completely withdraw from the Middle Eastern country by the end of 2011. 間もなく駐留米軍の最後の部隊引き揚げが完了し、大統領就任後に確約した「１１年末までの撤収」が実現することになる。
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U.S. paid heavy price
However, the United States has paid a heavy price for the war. 米国が払った代価はあまりにも大きい。
The Bush administration launched the war after claiming Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, which were never found. The war also tarred the United States' national prestige, partly because of the chaos that erupted during its occupation of Iraq. 開戦理由とした大量破壊兵器は見つからず、占領統治の大混乱もあって国家の威信に傷がついた。
The country has racked up swelling fiscal deficits caused by massive military spending, and the war has claimed the lives of nearly 4,500 U.S. soldiers. 巨額の戦費で財政赤字は膨れあがり、４５００人近い米兵の命も失われた。
Nevertheless, Obama stressed the war had not been fought in vain. "We are leaving behind a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq...This is an extraordinary achievement nearly nine years in the making," he said in the speech at Fort Bragg. それでも大統領は演説で、「我々は、独立し、安定し、自立した国家をイラクに残した。多大な成果だ」と強調した。
The question now is whether these achievements can remain in place and be built on in Iraq without U.S. forces stationed there for backup. Piles of problems lie ahead. 問題は、駐留米軍の後ろ盾なしに、イラクでこうした成果が定着し、発展していくかである。課題は山積している。
After the collapse of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's dictatorship in the war, the country at one time became mired in military conflict and terrorist attacks as confrontation raged between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. Although the United States finally calmed the situation by boosting its military presence in the country, it would be a stretch to say Iraq is now a nation totally at peace. 戦争でサダム・フセイン大統領の独裁体制が崩壊した後、イスラム教シーア派とスンニ派の対立を背景に、一時は武力衝突やテロが泥沼化した。米国は兵力を増強してようやく沈静化させたが、完全に封じ込めたとは言えない。
Even today, many Iraqi citizens are being killed or wounded in terrorist attacks. 多くの一般国民が今なおテロの犠牲になっている。
There are fears that the departure of U.S. troops could embolden terrorist organizations and lead to a deterioration of security in the country. 米軍撤退はテロ組織を勢いづかせ、治安の悪化を招く恐れがある。
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Region crucial for Japan
Iraq has been riven by continuing confrontation between religious and tribal groups. National reconciliation is an urgent task, but the power base of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is backed by Shiite Muslims, remains vulnerable. 宗派間、民族間の対立が続いており、国民和解は急務である。シーア派勢力に支持されているマリキ首相の権力基盤は脆弱(ぜいじゃく)だ。
There also is the possibility that Iran, a major Shiite nation that shares a border with Iraq, might use the withdrawal of U.S. forces to step up its influence on Baghdad. 米軍撤退につけこみ、隣国のシーア派大国イランが、イラクへの影響力を強める可能性もある。
If Iraq plunges into chaos again, it would have a significant impact on the whole region. イラク情勢が再び混迷すれば、地域全体に多大な影響が及ぶ。
The United States bears a heavy responsibility for the future of Iraq and the Middle East. イラクと中東の将来に対する米国の責任は重い。
Washington will have to not only cooperate with Baghdad in the security field, such as by training Iraqi military forces, but also press the country in the diplomatic arena so it becomes a responsible major country in the region. 米国は今後、イラク軍育成など安全保障分野での協力だけでなく、イラクが責任ある地域大国となるよう、外交面で働きかけていく必要がある。
In his meeting with Maliki in November, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda expressed his intention to extend yen loans totaling about 67 billion yen to Iraq for programs including a project to improve a refinery plant in the country. 野田首相は１１月、マリキ首相との会談で、イラクの製油所改良計画などへ約６７０億円の円借款を供与する意向を明らかにした。
We believe such efforts will help develop bilateral ties. 両国関係の発展に資するだろう。
Iraq's stability is extremely important for Japan, which imports 90 percent of its crude oil from the Middle East. 原油輸入の９割を中東に依存する日本にとって、イラクの安定は極めて重要だ。
In addition to providing reconstruction assistance through official development assistance programs and other channels, it is critical that Japan deepens its economic and business ties with Iraq. 政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）などによる復興支援とともに、経済やビジネス関係を深めていきたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 16, 2011) （2011年12月16日01時22分 読売新聞）
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 16 EDITORIAL: U.S. should learn heavy lessons from Iraq war イラク戦終結―米国は重い教訓に学べ
U.S. President Barack Obama has declared the end of the Iraq war. オバマ米大統領が、イラク戦争の終結を宣言した。
Nearly 4,500 U.S. troops were killed during the war that stretched about nine years. 足かけ９年の戦闘で、死亡した米兵は４５００人近くにおよぶ。
The death toll among Iraqi civilians is said to have topped 100,000. 一方、イラク民間人の犠牲者は１０万人以上にのぼるともいう。
"It is harder to end a war than to begin one," the president said in a speech at a U.S. Army installation in North Carolina. 「戦争を終えることは、始めることより困難だ」と、オバマ氏は米国内の基地で演説した。
We wish to commend Obama for making good on his pledge to withdraw troops and pulling out of the quagmire in Iraq. 撤兵の公約を守り、イラクの泥沼から抜けだした点は評価したい。
However, it is questionable whether this war was really needed when we think about the horrible bloodshed it incurred. だが、流された多くの血を思えば、果たしてこの戦争は必要だったのか。
We need to address this question once again. 改めて問わざるを得ない。
The former administration of George W. Bush went to war against Iraq, claiming the Saddam Hussein regime was developing weapons of mass destruction. ブッシュ前政権がイラクに戦争を仕掛けたのは、フセイン政権が大量破壊兵器を開発している、という理由からだった。
It capitalized on U.S. public opinion frightened by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on U.S. nerve centers and incited fears that unless the United States took pre-emptive action, it would be attacked again. 米国中枢部への同時多発テロにおびえた世論に乗じ「先制攻撃をかけなければ、再び攻撃を受ける」と不安をあおった。
In fact, there was no connection between the Saddam regime and the international terrorist organization al-Qaida. 実際は、フセイン政権と国際テロ組織アルカイダは無関係だった。
Nevertheless, the United States went to war without winning the support of the United Nations Security Council. それでも国連安全保障理事会の支持も得られぬまま、強引に開戦に踏み切った。
The war without legitimacy drew harsh criticism from both international society and the U.S. public and caused a serious rift both at home and abroad. 正当性のない戦争は、国際社会からも米国世論からも激しい批判を招き、内外に深刻な亀裂を生んだ。
In the end, no weapons of mass destruction were found. Washington's stopgap occupational policy threw Iraq into confusion and ignited a bloody sectarian conflict between Sunni Muslims and Shiites. 結局、大量破壊兵器は見つからず、場当たりの占領政策でイラクは大混乱に陥った。イスラム教スンニ派と少数派シーア派との間で、血で血を洗う宗派闘争が燃え上がってしまった。
Obama said: "We are leaving behind a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq, with a representative government that was elected by its people." オバマ氏は「安定し、民衆に選ばれた政府を持つイラクにしたことは大きな業績だ」と語った。
But the actual situation in Iraq is far from stable. だが、現状が安定しているとはとても言えないだろう。
Terrorist bombings are still going on. 爆弾テロは依然として続いている。
On the very day Obama delivered the speech, at least three people were killed in northern Iraq by terrorist bombs. オバマ氏の演説当日も、北部の爆弾テロで少なくとも３人が死亡した。
The rebuilding of infrastructure, such as power plants, also still has a long way to go. 電気など生活インフラの再建も途上だ。
As the United States pulls out its troops, it must squarely face the heavy lessons of this war. 撤退を機に、米国はこの戦争の重い教訓を直視しなければならない。
There are also signs that sectarian antagonism is flaring up again in expectations of a power vacuum after the U.S. withdrawal as the administration of Nouri al-Maliki is detaining Sunnis. 米軍撤退後の「力の真空」をにらんで、マリキ政権がスンニ派を拘束するなど、宗派間対立の再燃の兆しがでている。
Armed Sunni insurgents who cooperated with the U.S. forces while the country was under occupation appear to be increasingly nervous about retaliation. 逆に、米軍に協力してきたスンニ派武装勢力は、報復に神経をとがらせているようだ。
Iraq's relations with neighboring countries are also unstable as Iran is increasing its influence in southern Iraq and Turkish forces are advancing into the northern region inhabited by the Kurds. 南部ではイランの影響力が増し、北部のクルド人地区にはトルコ軍が侵攻するなど、周辺国との関係も不安定だ。
If confusion continues at home, it could once again lead to foreign intervention. 国内が混乱すれば外国勢力の介入を再び招きかねない。
To avoid such a situation, we want the Iraqi people to build a stable democracy on their own. そうした事態を避けるためにも、イラク人自身の手で、安定した民主国家を作ってほしい。
Japan also dispatched Self-Defense Forces to Samawah in southeastern Iraq. 日本も自衛隊をサマワに派遣した経緯がある。
It is an active player in supporting Iraqi reconstruction. イラク復興支援では当事国である。
Japan should continue civilian aid and economic cooperation so as not to create a vacuum in support. 支援の空白を生まないよう、民生援助や経済協力を続けていきたい。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 15, 2011) Govt must advance Futenma issue to lessen Okinawa's base burdens グアム予算凍結 事態打開へ「普天間」の進展を（12月14日付・読売社説）
It has become even more difficult to implement visible steps that would lessen Okinawa Prefecture's burdens as the host of many U.S. military bases. 目に見える沖縄の米軍基地負担軽減策の実現が危うくなってきた。
The government must recognize that this situation is extremely serious. 極めて深刻な事態と受け止める必要があろう。
The armed services committees of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives have agreed on revisions to a bill for the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2012, which includes a freeze on the entire 156 million dollars budget for shifting U.S. marines stationed in Okinawa Prefecture to Guam. 米上下両院の軍事委員会が、在沖縄海兵隊のグアム移転関連予算１億５６００万ドル（約１２０億円）の全額凍結を含む２０１２会計年度の国防権限法案の修正で合意した。
The revised bill is scheduled to be approved at plenary sessions of both chambers shortly. 修正案は近く両院本会議で可決される。
The Guam relocation budget was earmarked for constructing the headquarters building and family residences, as well as for the relocation of 8,000 marines and their about 9,000 family members from Okinawa Prefecture. グアム関連予算は、海兵隊員８０００人と家族９０００人の移転に伴い、司令部庁舎や家族住宅などを整備するためのものだ。
The budget has been cut in the past, but this was the first time the entire budget was frozen. 従来、減額されたことはあったが、全額凍結は初めてだ。
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Guam relocation to face scrapping
The U.S. Congress has been trying to cut massive defense spending. It has been toughening its stance of not approving the Guam relocation budget unless progress is made on the relocation plan of Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture, which is considered a "set" with the marines' relocation. 米議会は、巨額の国防費削減に向け、海兵隊移転と「一体の計画」である普天間飛行場の移設が進まない以上、グアム関連予算は認めないとの姿勢を強めていた。
If there is no budget for the program in fiscal 2013, the Guam relocation plan itself likely would face being scrapped. 仮に１３年度も予算がつかなければ、移転計画全体が白紙になりかねない。
If that should happen, the scheduled return of six U.S. military facilities in southern Okinawa Prefecture to Japan's rule--a key element in the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan--would also face a setback. その場合、在日米軍再編の目玉である沖縄県南部の米軍６施設の返還も頓挫する。
Many people in Okinawa Prefecture want the issue of moving the marines to Guam to be separate from the Futenma station's relocation within the prefecture. 沖縄県には、普天間飛行場の県内移設と切り離して、海兵隊移転だけを実現したいとの声が少なくない。
However, they should recognize such a plan is unrealistic. だが、それは、もはや非現実的だと認識すべきだろう。
The U.S. government tried to persuade Congress not to freeze the funds because it believed a degree of "tangible progress" would be made if the Japanese government submits an environment impact assessment statement to the prefecture within the year as planned. However, the efforts at persuasion failed. 米政府は、日本政府が年内に普天間飛行場移設の環境影響評価書を沖縄県に提出することを「一定の進展」とみなし、米議会の説得を試みたが、失敗した。
A "far more substantial development" in the Futenma issue will be necessary to convince Congress to revive the Guam relocation budget in fiscal 2013. １３年度にグアム予算を復活計上させるには、米議会が納得するだけの普天間問題の「より実質的な進展」が必須となる。
There are only two options left for Tokyo and Washington, as well as the Okinawa prefectural government. 日米両政府と沖縄県に残された選択肢は今、二つしかない。
One is to move ahead with the relocation of the Futenma base to the Henoko district in Nago, also in the prefecture, and realize the U.S. marines' relocation to Guam. 一つは、普天間飛行場の名護市辺野古移設を進め、海兵隊のグアム移転を実現する道だ。
When the six U.S. military facilities are returned to Japan's rule, the availability of these vast sites will give momentum to a new revitalization plan for the island prefecture from next fiscal year. 米軍６施設が返還されれば、広大な跡地利用により、来年度からの新たな沖縄振興計画にも弾みがつこう。
The other is to give up both the Futenma relocation to Henoko and the transfer of the marines to Guam. もう一つは、普天間の辺野古移設も、海兵隊移転も断念する道だ。
In this case, those involved will have to accept that the dangerous situation of the Futenma base, located in the middle of a city, will remain for a long time. その場合、普天間飛行場の危険な現状が長期間、固定化されることも覚悟せざるを得ない。 ===
Govt, Okinawa must see reality
The central and Okinawa prefectural governments must recognize the reality that only two options are left. It is essential that they discuss straightforwardly and seriously how to ensure Japan's security while lessening Okinawa Prefecture's burdens. 政府と沖縄県は、この現実を直視し、日本の安全保障と沖縄の負担軽減をいかに両立させるかについて、率直かつ真剣に話し合うことが重要となる。
Of course, the responsibility for the current situation rests with former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and other officials. After all, they proposed relocating the Futenma base somewhere outside the prefecture or even outside the country, a suggestion that built up unreasonable expectations among many Okinawa residents--and then eventually betrayed these hopes. 無論、普天間飛行場の「県外・国外移設」を唱え、沖縄に過剰な期待を持たせた末に裏切った経緯を踏まえれば、現在の事態を招いた責任は鳩山元首相らにある。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has not visited Okinawa Prefecture since he assumed the post. 野田首相は就任後、まだ沖縄を訪問していない。
It is about time he stood up to break the deadlock. そろそろ自ら事態打開に動く時である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 14, 2011) （2011年12月14日01時46分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) December 13, 2011 Remember past enthusiasm for nuclear science as we edge towards non-nuclear future 火論：花形の時代＝玉木研二 ＜ｋａ－ｒｏｎ＞
It's been pointed out in many quarters that the field of nuclear power in Japan has been failing to attract the interest of students. There was a time not so long ago, however, that nuclear energy was at the cutting edge -- the superstar of scientific disciplines. 原子力分野への学生の志望減退が指摘されているが、いうまでもなく往時は最先端をいく花形分野だった。
One can catch a glimpse of this by looking at how nuclear researchers were depicted in the literature and films of the period -- although hints of misgivings are also easily found. 小説や映画に登場する研究者らに、その時代が抱いていたそんなイメージがのぞく。
Take, for example, Yasushi Inoue's novel "Hyoheki" (Ice wall), first serialized in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper in 1956 -- the same year the government formed the Japan Atomic Energy Commission and the industrial world entered the nuclear industry in a serious way. 例えば、原子力委員会が設置され、産業界も原子力事業に本格的に参入した１９５６（昭和３１）年、朝日新聞で井上靖の長編「氷壁」の連載が始まった。
"Hyoheki" is primarily the story of a man and a woman stranded in the mountains. However, the novel also depicts a senior researcher for a major company lab as a representation of the era's scientific rationalism. 山岳の遭難事故を軸とした男女の物語だが、現代の科学性、合理性の象徴のような大企業の幹部研究者が出てくる。
When someone tells him that nuclear science "carries all the hopes of humanity" and "contains within it every potentiality," the researcher replies, "I don't think only humanity's bright dreams and possibilities are wrapped up in nuclear science. 彼が、話し相手から原子科学について＜人類の夢がいっぱい詰め込まれているものなんでしょう。あらゆる可能性がその中にはいっている＞と語りかけられて、こう言う場面がある。＜強（あなが）ち原子科学の中に、明るい人類の夢や可能性ばかりが詰まっているとは思えませんな。
It also carries the possibility of humanity's ruin." そこにはまた、人類の亡（ほろ）びの可能性も詰まっているわけです＞
When Inoue wrote these words, the United States and the Soviet Union were locked in a nuclear arms race and conducting above-ground nuclear tests, while at the same time the "peaceful use" of nuclear energy was being trumpeted as possessing "limitless possibility." 当時、米ソの険悪な対立の中で競って軍事目的の核実験が行われ、一方で核エネルギーの「平和利用」と「無限の可能性」が錦の御旗（みはた）とされたころ。
In the cynicism expressed by the researcher Inoue depicted in the novel, one can see the author's own thoughts on nuclear technology seeping through. 研究者の皮肉を含む口ぶりに「危うさ」を感じ取っていた作者の思いがにじんでいるのかもしれない。
In 1959, the Tokyo Shimbun newspaper ran a serialized novel by noted author Fumiko Enchi called "Watakushi mo moeteiru" (I, too, am burning). ５９年、東京新聞に連載を始めた円地文子の「私も燃えている」は、放縦な私生活を送りながら研究には無我夢中になる気鋭の若手原子物理学者が登場する。
In the story, a young, dissolute nuclear physicist lost in his research absorbs a lethal dose of radiation when he makes a mistake during an experiment. 彼は核融合実験のミスで大量の放射線を浴び、命を落とした。
Before dying, the man sums up the novel, saying, "I turned towards that thing all humanity hopes for: the peaceful application of nuclear technology. And I bet my life on opening that door just a crack." 小説は＜原子力の平和利用という人類のすべてが望む明るい方向へ向けて、一枚の扉を開きかけることに生命を賭けてしまった＞と表現する。
Three years later, in 1962, film studio Toho Co. released a film titled "Gorath" in which nuclear power saves Earth from destruction by a mysterious object hurtling through space. さらに３年後の６２年、東宝特撮映画「妖星ゴラス」は原子力が人類を救うＳＦだ。地球衝突への軌道を謎の天体が進んでくる。
The entire world's nuclear energy is combined to create a propulsion device at the South Pole and shift Earth out of the way of the object. The nuclear engine, however, alters Earth's orbit. 「全世界の原子力を総結集」して南極に巨大な推進機関を設け噴射、地球の軌道を変えてやり過ごす。
Regardless of the story's plainly ridiculous premise, what can be seen in the film is a spirit true to the era in which it was made, with the countries of the world transcending national interests to save the Earth through nuclear power. このむちゃと危険は言うまい。冷戦のさなか、世界が国を超え力を合わせて原子力を媒介に地球を助ける発想が、いかにもこの時代らしい。
In the period from the mid-1950s to the mid '60s, the image of nuclear power was forged by anxiety and fear of a nuclear holocaust mixed with sky-high hopes for nuclear technology's peaceful uses. 昭和でいえば３０年代は、漠然とした不安、核戦争の恐怖、そして「平和利用」の夢といったものがないまぜになって、原子力のイメージを形作っていたと思える。
Things have changed a great deal since then. For today's youth, the Fukushima nuclear disaster has spurred the idea of leaving nuclear power behind. However, on this point there is one thing I'd like to say: 時と状況は大きく転じた。福島の事故は若き頭脳の「原子力離れ」に拍車をかけたという。だがあえて言いたい。
Look back on how nuclear science was portrayed in the 1950s and '60s. To resolve the great unknowns lurking in the undiscovered territories of a non-nuclear future, a fresh, vibrant intelligence and way of thinking -- a new superstar -- will be needed. 未知の領域が山積した事態の改善・収拾にこそ、みずみずしい新「花形」の知恵と発想が要る。
Is it asking too much to bring all Japan's top minds together, just like in the movies, to tackle the challenge? 映画のように総結集させようというのは、甘いだろうか。（専門編集委員）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 13, 2011) Europe accord not enough to dispel financial concerns ＥＵ首脳会議 金融不安の払拭にまだ力不足（12月11日付・読売社説）
European leaders barely managed to reach an agreement to prevent the Greece-triggered sovereign debt crisis from spreading to the rest of the world from Europe. ギリシャに端を発した欧州発金融危機を食い止めようと、欧州各国の首脳が薄氷の合意にこぎつけた。
However, it does not seem powerful enough to dispel financial concerns. だが、金融不安払拭には力不足だろう。
Leaders of European Union countries, including the 17 nations that use the euro, such as Germany and France, agreed Friday to conclude a new treaty that will impose stringent fiscal discipline on its members. ユーロ導入の独仏など１７か国を含む欧州連合（ＥＵ）首脳会議は、厳しい財政規律を課する新条約を締結することで合意した。
The countries taking part in the new treaty will specify the principle of "fiscal balance" in their respective constitutions. 新条約の参加国は「財政均衡」の原則を憲法に明記する。
The principle is designed to automatically impose sanctions on countries whose fiscal deficit exceeds 3 percent of their gross domestic product in a single fiscal year. 単年度の財政赤字が対国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）比３％を突破した国には、自動的に制裁を発動する内容だ。
The measure can be called a praiseworthy step forward, obliging individual countries to take steps to repair their finances based on lessons learned from the lax fiscal management of Greece and some other European countries. 危機をもたらしたギリシャなどの放漫財政を教訓に、財政健全化を各国に義務づける方策は、ひとまず前進と評価できよう。
===
One currency, many policies
The euro's fundamental weakness has lain in the fact that while eurozone countries have introduced the single currency, they have widely different fiscal policies. 通貨は一つだが、財政政策は各国でバラバラだったことが、ユーロの根本的な弱点だった。
If the European countries can sign the new treaty by March as scheduled under the leadership of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, European unity will enter a new phase toward fiscal integration, which has been a long-standing issue. メルケル独首相とサルコジ仏大統領が主導して、予定通りに２０１２年３月までに各国が新条約に署名すれば、懸案の財政統合に向け、欧州統合は新局面に入る。
However, British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose country is not a eurozone member, refused to join the new treaty, from the standpoint of protecting his country's fiscal sovereignty. だが、新条約案に対し、非ユーロ圏の英国のキャメロン首相だけは、自国の財政主権を守る立場から参加を拒否した。
The divide between the French-German position and that of Britain can be said to have highlighted discord among EU member states. 独仏と英国の対立は、ＥＵ内の不協和音をさらけ出したと言える。
More serious was the fact that the latest summit meeting failed to come up with bold measures to contain the raging crisis. さらに深刻なのは、今回の首脳会議が、燃えさかる当面の危機を封じ込めるために必要な大胆な策を打ち出せなかったことだ。
Leaders agreed at the meeting to launch the European Stability Mechanism in the middle of next year, one year ahead of the original schedule. The bailout fund will provide fiscally distressed European countries with financial assistance and has been described as the European version of the International Monetary Fund. 会議は、財政危機国に資金支援する欧州版の国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）とされる「欧州安定メカニズム（ＥＳＭ）」について、予定を１年前倒しして来年半ばに発足させる方針で一致した。
The leaders also agreed on a bailout plan that would extend loans of up to 200 billion euros (about 21 trillion yen) to countries in fiscal crisis through the IMF. ＩＭＦを通じて、財政危機国に最大２０００億ユーロ（約２１兆円）を貸し出す救済策も決めた。
===
IMF plan may not work
However, there are questions whether the IMF plan will be feasible given that the United States, the largest contributor to the international body, showed reluctance to make additional contributions. だが、ＩＭＦ活用案には、ＩＭＦ最大出資国である米国が新たな資金拠出に難色を示すなど、実効性に疑問も残る。
The EU leaders also failed, because of Germany's objections, to agree on a common euro bond to be jointly issued by eurozone countries. ユーロ圏が共同で発行する「ユーロ共通債」も、ドイツの反対で合意できなかった。
Above all, European countries have yet to secure enough funds to tackle the region's fiscal and financial crisis due to the slow progress of the plan to expand the European Financial Stability Facility, whose functions will eventually be taken over by the ESM. 何より、ＥＳＭの母体となる欧州金融安定基金（ＥＦＳＦ）の拡充が進んでおらず、危機対策の資金が十分確保できていない。
For European countries to regain the rest of the world's confidence, it will be essential for them to act quickly to strengthen the EFSF. 欧州がＥＦＳＦ強化に迅速に動くことが信頼回復に不可欠である。
It still remains uncertain how the global stock and exchange markets and credit rating companies will evaluate the conclusions agreed upon at the summit meeting. 世界の株式・為替市場や、格付け会社が、首脳会議の結論をどう評価するのかは不透明だ。
Market players have high expectations that the European Central Bank will support Italy and other distressed eurozone countries through massive purchases of those nations' government bonds. Yet the ECB remains cautious about taking such steps. 市場では、欧州中央銀行（ＥＣＢ）がイタリアなどの国債を大量に買い支えることへの期待があるが、ＥＣＢは慎重姿勢を崩していない。
Germany and France are taking the lead in Europe's precarious attempt to overcome the crisis. They bear a heavy responsibility in this regard. 危機克服への綱渡りを先導する独仏両国の責任は大きい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 11, 2011) （2011年12月11日01時10分 読売新聞）
Questions have been raised about Defense Minister Yasuo Ichikawa's competence. 一川防衛相の資質には疑義が生じている。
It probably will be unavoidable at some stage to replace him. いずれかの時点で交代させるのは、やむを得まい。
The House of Councillors passed censure motions against Ichikawa and Kenji Yamaoka, state minister for consumer affairs, at a plenary session Friday with majority support from the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and other opposition parties. 一川防衛相と山岡消費者相に対する問責決議が参院本会議で、自民、公明など野党の賛成多数で可決された。
Unlike a no-confidence motion in the House of Representatives, an upper house censure motion is not legally binding. 問責決議は、衆院の不信任決議と異なり、法的拘束力がない。
It is problematic that for their own interests opposition parties repeatedly present censure motions or refuse to attend Diet deliberations when censured ministers are present. They should refrain from adopting such strategies. 野党が党利党略から、問責決議を乱発したり、問責された閣僚らの出席する国会審議への出席拒否戦術を取ったりすることは問題があり、本来、慎むべきだ。
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Democratic Party of Japan Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi both made clear they want to keep the two ministers in their posts. 野田首相や民主党の輿石幹事長は防衛相らを続投させる方針を表明している。
They presumably concluded it would be undesirable to allow opposition parties to effectively hold absolute powers over cabinet ministers by passing censure motions against them in the upper house given the current divided Diet. 衆参ねじれ国会の下、参院の問責決議によって、野党が閣僚の生殺与奪権を事実上握るのはよくない、との判断もあるのだろう。
That is fully understandable. 十分に理解できる。
The Defense Ministry faces a number of important issues, such as selection of the next-generation fighter aircraft, an environment impact assessment report for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture and the dispatch of a Ground Self-Defense Force unit to South Sudan on a U.N. peacekeeping mission. 防衛省は多くの重要案件を抱えている。次期戦闘機の選定、米軍普天間飛行場移設の環境影響評価書、南スーダンへの部隊派遣などだ。 ===
Govt wants to avoid fallout
Therefore, the government and the DPJ apparently want to avoid any fallout that could occur by replacing the defense minister at this stage. 現時点での閣僚交代による悪影響を避けたい事情もあろう。
But we wonder whether Ichikawa is aware of his responsibility. しかし、一川氏には、その自覚があるのか。
Upon appointment to the post in September, Ichikawa said he was an "amateur" on security issues. 就任時に「安全保障は素人」と述べ、
Last month, he skipped a state banquet at the Imperial Palace to attend a fund-raising party for a DPJ lawmaker, saying, "I thought this was more important." 宮中行事を欠席して参加した民主党議員のパーティーで「こちらの方が大事」と語った。
Ichikawa has supervisory responsibility over the highly controversial comments made by a former chief of the ministry's Okinawa Defense Bureau in connection with the Futenma relocation issue. 普天間移設をめぐる前沖縄防衛局長の暴言の監督責任に加え、
The defense minister himself provoked strong resentment from Okinawa Prefecture residents for saying in the Diet that he did not know the details about the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old girl by three U.S. servicemen in the prefecture. １９９５年の沖縄女児暴行事件に関する「詳細には知らない」との発言は、沖縄の強い反発を招いた。
He lacks competence and is unsuitable to be in charge of national defense. 国防の責任者としての能力と適性を欠いており、
It will also be difficult for him to restore a relationship of trust with Okinawa Prefecture. 沖縄との信頼関係の回復も難しい。
Meanwhile, it came to light that Yamaoka had received political donations from and had cozy ties with companies involved in a pyramid scheme before assuming his current post. 山岡消費者相は、就任前のことながら、マルチ商法業界からの献金や親密な関係が判明している。
In this regard, it makes sense for the opposition bloc to argue that Yamaoka is unsuited for the consumer affairs post. 消費者相としてふさわしくないとの野党の主張には一理ある。
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All-out confrontation seen
If the prime minister does not replace the two ministers, the ordinary Diet session next year will almost certainly see an all-out confrontation between ruling and opposition parties from its outset. 首相が両閣僚を交代させない場合、来年の通常国会は、冒頭から与野党の全面対決となるのが確実だ。
In that event, it will be difficult for the ruling and opposition parties to start negotiations on the consumption tax hike, which the prime minister has expressed his "unwavering resolve" to carry through. 首相が「不退転の決意」を示す消費税率引き上げに関する与野党協議も、開催が困難になる。
Without the cooperation of the opposition parties, it will be impossible to pass bills through the Diet. 野党の協力なしでは法案は成立しない。
The situation surrounding the Noda administration is growing increasingly tough. 野田政権を取り巻く環境は、厳しさを増している。
The extraordinary Diet session that ended Friday failed to produce tangible results. ９日閉会した臨時国会も、成果に乏しかった。
It managed to pass a supplementary budget and bills related to reconstruction of areas affected by the March 11 disaster. 補正予算と復興関連法は成立したが、
But as the Diet session was not extended, deliberations on such important bills as those to cut central government officials' salaries, reform postal services and revise the worker dispatch law have been put off. 会期延長さえなく、国家公務員給与削減、郵政改革、労働者派遣法改正などの重要法案や、
The Diet also postponed a decision to rectify the disparity in the value of votes in lower house elections. 衆院選の「１票の格差」是正が軒並み先送りされた。
Diet management by the government and the ruling parties is primarily to blame for the poor progress. 一義的には政府・与党の国会対策に問題があるにせよ、
However, the opposition parties also bear heavy responsibility in the divided Diet. ねじれ国会では野党の責任も大きい。
It is time for the ruling and opposition parties to seriously discuss how to put an end to the political imbroglio. 政治の機能不全をどう脱するか、与野党は真剣に話し合うべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 10, 2011) （2011年12月10日01時28分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) December 10, 2011 Editorial: Japan needs more discussion before exporting atomic energy technology 社説：原子力協定承認 拙速にすぎはしないか
The Diet's approval of atomic energy agreements, which the government has signed with Jordan, Vietnam, Russia and South Korea, has opened the way for exports of nuclear power plants to these countries, but the decision came too hasty and has not been thought through. The pacts are expected to come into force as early as January. However, the crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant has not been brought under control and the cause of the accident needs to be clarified. The Diet has endorsed the accords without in-depth discussions on how to ensure safety of nuclear power stations. 政府がヨルダン、ベトナム、ロシア、韓国と結んだ原子力協定が、国会で承認された。これにより、協定は来年１月にも発効し、原発輸出が可能になる。 しかし、東京電力福島第１原発の事故はまだ収束していない。原因の究明、検証もこれからだ。安全確保をめぐる十分な議論がないままでの国会承認は、あまりに拙速だといわざるを得ない。
Atomic energy agreements are aimed at preventing exported atomic-energy-related technology and materials from being diverted to military use, and are a prerequisite for exporting nuclear plants. 原子力協定は、原子力関連技術や資材を輸出する際、相手国での軍事転用を防ぐために締結するもので、原発輸出の前提になる。
Japan has already signed such accords with seven countries including the United States, France and China as well as the European Atomic Energy Community. 日本は米、仏、中国、欧州原子力共同体など７カ国１機関と締結済みだ。
Under the agreements, Japan is expected to construct nuclear power plants in Jordan and Vietnam and commission Russia to enrich uranium while exporting parts for nuclear reactors to South Korea. 今回承認を得たヨルダンとベトナムには原発輸出、ロシアにはウラン濃縮の委託、韓国には原子炉部品の輸出を想定している。
During Diet deliberation on the pacts, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said, "If we receive requests for cooperation despite Japan's current situation based on lessons learned from the crisis, we should do whatever we can to contribute to international efforts to enhance the safety of atomic energy." 国会審議で、野田佳彦首相は「日本の現状や反省も踏まえ、なお協力してほしいというなら、できることをすることは国際的な原子力安全の向上に資する」と説明した。
However, one cannot help but wonder how Japan can prove its nuclear technology can contribute to global safety. しかし、「安全の向上」と胸を張る根拠はあるのか。
True, the Japanese nuclear power industry is quite advanced, but it alone cannot ensure the safety of operations at nuclear power stations. 確かに、国内原発産業の技術力は高い。しかし、それだけで原発を稼働し、運営する際の安全が確保できるわけではない。
Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), the operator of the crippled Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, is highly unlikely to participate in such an international deal even though it had been expected before the crisis to play a leading role in operations at these nuclear power stations abroad. 輸出先で運営を主導すると期待された東電の参画は望めない。
Moreover, even if Japan emphasizes that its nuclear technology is safe without clarifying the cause of the crisis, it cannot win confidence from the international community. また、事故の原因がはっきりしないままでは、安全性を訴えても説得力はあるまい。
At the same time, the prime minister also emphasized that it is Japan's responsibility to share its experiences learned from the nuclear crisis with the international community. 一方で首相は、「事故の経験や教訓を国際社会と共有するのはわれわれの責務だ」とも強調した。
While this is correct, Japan should put greater emphasis on sharing with the world its knowledge on how to prevent nuclear accidents based on its thorough investigation into the Fukushima nuclear crisis. もっともだが、共有すべきは、事故の徹底的な検証を前提にした事故防止のための知見であるはずだ。
The Diet had only 10 days to deliberate on the atomic energy pacts. 今回の国会審議は、議案の審議入りから承認までわずか１０日しかなかった。
It failed to carry out thorough discussions on safety measures even though Jordan is an earthquake-prone country and it is reportedly difficult to secure the massive amount of water needed to cool down reactors that are expected to be built in inland areas of the country. 例えば、ヨルダンは地震多発国であり、原発建設予定地が内陸部にあるため大量の冷却水を確保しにくいとされるが、安全対策の議論は生煮えだった。
It has been pointed out by some critics that the government was desperate to ensure the pacts clear the Diet within this year so that Japanese companies will not be put in a disadvantageous position amid international competition for contracts on the construction of nuclear power stations. 政府は、締結相手国での受注競争で日本企業が不利にならないよう、年内承認を急いだとの指摘もある。
However, some members of the ruling coalition voted against the pacts. しかし、採決では与党内からも反対者が出た。
Deliberations that fail to convince even some ruling coalition legislators can never win confidence from the Japanese public and the international community. 「身内」も納得しない審議では、国民や国際社会の理解も得られまい。
The government is currently negotiating atomic energy agreements with India, South Africa and Turkey. 政府は現在、インド、南アフリカ、トルコとも原子力協定の締結交渉を進めている。
In particular, Japan should exercise prudence in its negotiations with India, which is not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty even though it possesses nuclear arms. 核保有国でありながら核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）に加盟していないインドとの交渉は、とりわけ慎重であるべきだ。
To prevent Japan from exporting danger and anxiety to the world while decreasing its reliance on nuclear energy, the executive and legislative branches of the government are urged to hold more in-depth discussions on nuclear energy safety based on its verification of the cause of the Fukushima nuclear crisis. 国内で「脱原発依存」を進める一方で、海外に危険や不安を輸出することがあってはならない。 そのために、政府・国会には事故の検証を踏まえ、安全をめぐる議論を深めるよう改めて求める。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 10, 2011) Nurture children's ability to avoid danger on their own 防災教育 自ら危機回避できる力育もう（12月9日付・読売社説）
Japan is one of the nations most frequently hit by natural disasters. 日本は世界有数の自然災害多発国である。
It is imperative that children are taught in their daily lives how to respond effectively when an emergency strikes. 「いざ」という時の対応力を日頃から養う防災教育の充実が欠かせない。
The details of what children should be taught, however, have so far been left up to individual schools. ところが、どのような教育を行うかについては、これまで学校現場に任せきりだった。
The Great East Japan Earthquake claimed the lives of 550 children, ranging from kindergartners to high school students.
Reflecting on this, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry plans to work out a set of nationwide guidelines spelling out how to make children more capable of avoiding danger by themselves. 東日本大震災では幼稚園から高校まで５５０人の児童・生徒が犠牲になった。
We urge the ministry to responsibly provide specifics in intelligible, concrete terms. その反省から、文部科学省は、子供が自らの判断で危機を回避する能力を育むことを全国共通の指針にする方針だ。 文科省は責任を持って具体的な教育内容を詰める必要がある。
The example set by children in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, has been a beacon. 注目されているのが、岩手県釜石市の事例だ。
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'Miracle of Kamaishi'
Although Kamaishi was struck by the catastrophic tsunami on March 11, the great majority of the 3,000 primary and middle school students in the city fled to safety and were physically unhurt. 津波に襲われながら、小中学生３０００人の大半が避難して無事だった。
Many children decided on their own that it would be risky to take shelter at designated evacuation sites, and instead made a beeline for higher ground to escape the oncoming tsunami. 指定された避難場所では危ないと判断し、高台に上って難を逃れた。
For the last seven years, schools in Kamaishi have taught their students the basics of evacuation by inviting experts in disaster management as advisers to speak to the children. 釜石市では７年前から、災害対応の専門家をアドバイザーに迎え、
The golden rules drilled into the children were "Don't trust assumptions about disasters" and "Put yourself first and flee." 「想定を信じない」「自分が率先して逃げる」といった避難の原則を徹底して教えてきた。
The schools also incorporated content about disasters in each subject. One question in a mathematics class on velocity asked students to think about the speed at which a tsunami would reach the coast. 数学の授業では、速度の計算で津波の到達する速さを考えさせるなど、各教科の指導に災害に関する内容を盛り込んでいる。
The accumulation of these efforts resulted in the students swiftly evacuating in what has widely been referred to as "the miracle of Kamaishi." こうした積み重ねが、「釜石の奇跡」と呼ばれる迅速な避難行動につながったと言える。
Other ingenious methods have been employed elsewhere. 釜石市以外でも、工夫を凝らした取り組みが見られる。
In some places, children heard from elderly local people who experienced massive earthquakes in the past, while others drew antidisaster maps highlighting vulnerable areas by examining geographical features of their neighborhood. 子供たちが、過去に大地震を体験した地元の古老から聞き取りをする。地域の地形を調べて、危険箇所をまとめた防災マップを作る。
Some school athletic meets included bucket relay races and contests to build makeshift stretchers. 運動会で担架作り競争やバケツリレー競争を行う、などだ。
These antidisaster education activities, however, have been held only in some regions, rather than nationwide. ただ、これらの実践は一部にとどまり、全国に普及していない。
The education ministry and several local governments have introduced examples of antidisaster education on their websites. 文科省や一部の自治体はホームページで防災教育の事例を紹介しているが、
They should provide more in-depth information online so their expertise can be shared with schools in every corner of the nation. 内容を充実させ、すべての学校でノウハウを共有できるようにすることが急務である。
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Don't leave kids home alone
Boosting teacher awareness about antidisaster education is also a key task. 教員の意識向上も課題だ。
The ministry is scheduled to hold antidisaster training courses this month and January for 220 supervisors from prefectural boards of education. 文科省は今月と来月、各都道府県で指導役となる教育委員会の指導主事ら２２０人を集め、全国規模の防災研修を実施する。
These supervisors will pass this information on to teachers. It is of basic importance that every teacher acquire the skills to teach students how to stay safe in a disaster. すべての教員が指導法を身につけることが基本だ。
It will also become necessary to include antidisaster lessons in university courses for prospective teachers and courses for newly appointed educators. 大学の養成課程や採用後の研修に関連講座を組み入れることも必要になろう。
After the March 11 disaster, many commuters were unable to go home because of disruptions to transportation networks in the Tokyo metropolitan area. 一方、今回の震災では、交通機関が不通になった首都圏で保護者が帰宅困難者となり、
Many children spent hours at home alone after returning from school, waiting for their parents to return. 学校から戻った子供が誰もいない自宅で長時間過ごすケースが相次いだ。
The Tokyo metropolitan government has settled on a policy of, in principle, keeping children at school after a massive disaster until they can be given to their parents. 東京都は震災後、保護者に引き渡すまで原則的に子供を学校に留め置く方針を打ち出した。
We hope parents and schools will together work out the rules governing when children should be picked up following a catastrophe. 災害時に子供を引き渡すルールを、学校と保護者で決めておきたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 9, 2011) （2011年12月9日01時15分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 9, 2011) EU heads must unite to resolve debt crisis 欧州危機拡大 市場が催促する首脳の抜本策（12月8日付・読売社説）
A tense two-day meeting that will determine whether the sovereign debt crisis in Europe can be resolved is finally starting. 欧州危機を収束できるかどうか、いよいよ緊迫の２日間を迎える。
The meeting must devise a sweeping solution that will enable eurozone countries to regain market confidence. 市場の信認を取り戻す抜本策が求められよう。
A summit meeting of European Union members, including 17 eurozone states such as Germany and France, will be held Thursday and Friday in Belgium. 独仏などユーロ圏１７か国を含む欧州連合（ＥＵ）首脳会議が、８、９日にベルギーで開かれる。
The European Central Bank is also to discuss financial policy on Thursday. 欧州中央銀行（ＥＣＢ）も８日、金融政策を話し合う。
The debt crisis has spilled over from Greece with its huge fiscal deficit to Italy, and is now spreading to Spain and France. 欧州危機は、巨額の財政赤字を抱えたギリシャからイタリアに飛び火し、スペイン、フランスに拡大しつつある。
This is a serious situation. 深刻な事態だ。
Before the summit meeting, Standard & Poor's announced it was considering a possible downgrade on the credit ratings of long-term sovereign bonds issued by 15 eurozone countries, including six states such as Germany and France whose bonds are rated AAA. 会議を前に、米格付け会社のスタンダード・アンド・プアーズ（Ｓ＆Ｐ）は、独仏など「トリプルＡ」の６か国を含むユーロ圏１５か国の長期国債格付けを引き下げ方向で見直すと発表した。
In addition, the U.S. rating agency warned it might cut the credit rating of bonds issued by the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), which are guaranteed with the creditworthiness of the six states' bonds. さらに、６か国の保証を裏付けに欧州金融安定基金（ＥＦＳＦ）が発行する債券を格下げする方向も明らかにした。 The agency's announcement appears to illustrate its distrust of the reactions by the political sector, which have always been one step behind. 後手に回る政治の対応に不信を示した形だ。
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Fiscal rehabilitation needed
Leaders of EU countries should take this seriously as a warning from the market. 欧州首脳らは、市場の警告を真摯(しんし)に受け止める必要がある。
If the summit meeting comes out with half-baked measures to deal with the debt crisis, S&P will go through with the downgrades. 危機収束策が不十分なら、Ｓ＆Ｐは格下げに踏み切る。
This would aggravate the turmoil in financial markets and undermine the functions of the EFSF, which is supporting countries already in trouble from the debt crisis. 金融市場が一段と混乱し、危機国を支援するＥＦＳＦの機能も揺らぐ。
We must watch out for the negative chain reactions that could cause. 負の連鎖に要警戒だ。
A focus of the summit meeting is whether the participating countries can agree on a fiscal rehabilitation plan to stabilize the euro. 首脳会議の焦点は、ユーロを安定させる財政健全化策である。
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have agreed on a plan to impose automatic sanctions against countries that exceed a fiscal deficit limit of 3 percent of their gross domestic product. They will jointly propose revising the EU treaty at the summit meeting to bring this about. メルケル独首相とサルコジ仏大統領は、財政赤字を対ＧＤＰ（国内総生産）比３％以内に抑えるルールを破った国に自動的に制裁を科す方針で一致し、ＥＵ条約改正を会議に共同提案する。
It is a matter of course to stop free spending policies and enhance fiscal discipline. 放漫財政を食い止め、財政規律を強化するのは当然だ。
We expect the eurozone countries to hammer out a clear policy based on the proposal by Germany and France toward the introduction of mutual surveillance of fiscal policies, which have never been coordinated among these countries. 独仏提案に沿い、欧州各国でバラバラだった財政の相互監視へ、明確な方針を打ち出してもらいたい。
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Stop spread of crisis
What is needed most are emergency measures to prevent the crisis from spreading any further. 何より必要なのは、危機拡大を防ぐ緊急措置だ。
The eurozone countries decided at the end of October to expand the EFSF, reduce Greece's debts and strengthen the core capital of banks, but none of them has been carried out yet. ユーロ圏が１０月末に決めたＥＦＳＦ拡大、ギリシャ債務削減、銀行資本増強はいまだに実施されていない。
If these measures are not implemented immediately, they may come too late. 遅きに失する恐れがあろう。
In relation to these measures, the role of the ECB will become more important. これらの対策と連動し、ＥＣＢの役割がますます重要になる。
In early November, immediately after its new President Mario Draghi, an Italian, assumed office, the bank cut its benchmark interest rate to 1.25 percent for the first time in 2-1/2 years. ＥＣＢは、イタリア出身のドラギ総裁が就任した直後の１１月初め、２年半ぶりに政策金利を引き下げて年１・２５％とした。
However, there are fears the European economy might slow down and register negative growth if the countries introduce austerity measures. 各国が緊縮財政に取り組むと、欧州景気は減速し、マイナス成長に陥ることが懸念される。
The ECB would win praise if it considers an additional interest rate cut to support the economy. 景気下支えへ、ＥＣＢが追加利下げを検討する姿勢は歓迎されよう。
If the ECB buys up a large number of bonds from Italy and other countries, it will also be an effective measure to prevent the yields of government bonds from soaring and to soothe credit uneasiness in the market. 国債利回りの急騰を抑え、信用不安を沈静化するには、ＥＣＢがイタリアなどの国債を大量に買い支える措置も有効だ。
The rest of the world is watching whether European countries can stand together and act quickly to deal with this crisis. 欧州が結束し、急いで行動することを世界は注視している。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 8, 2011) （2011年12月8日01時30分 読売新聞）
3 continuing lessons from the Pearl Harbor attack 真珠湾７０年―危機の時代へ三つの教訓 ↓ 1) The first lesson is that we must not seek any simple, quick solution to a problem in times of crisis. 1) ひとつは、危機の時代には、単純な解決を性急に求めないことだ。 2) The second lesson to learn from history is that we must respect the diversity of thought, especially in times of crisis. 2) ふたつめは、危機の時代にこそ、意見の多様性を尊重することだ。 3) The third lesson is that we must look at ourselves objectively when we turn our eyes to the rest of the world. 3) 三つめは、世界に目を向けるときは、あわせて他者の視座でわが身を見ることだ。
久々に朝日新聞の力作だと思います。 （スラチャイ）
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 7 EDITORIAL: 3 continuing lessons from the Pearl Harbor attack 真珠湾７０年―危機の時代へ三つの教訓
December 07, 2011 Dec. 8 (Japan time) marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Pacific War. 太平洋戦争の開戦から、あすで７０年になる。
News of a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941, by a task force of the Imperial Japanese Navy threw the Japanese people into wild elation. 日本の機動部隊が、ハワイ・真珠湾の米太平洋艦隊を急襲した知らせに、国民は熱狂した。
Novelist Sei Ito (1905-1969) noted to the effect: "Yes! This is the way to go." Actor Musei Tokugawa (1894-1971) recalled, "I felt my whole body tingle with excitement." 「ああこれでいい。これで大丈夫だ」（小説家の伊藤整）、「身体がキューッとなる感じ」（俳優の徳川夢声）。
But that day was the beginning of Japan's downfall, which ended with its unconditional surrender three years and eight months later. だが、それは３年８カ月後の全面敗北に至る転落の始まりだった。
The Pearl Harbor attack has been discussed extensively. 真珠湾はさまざまに総括されてきた。
In Japan, the recurring question has been why the nation was so foolhardy as to go to war with the United States, whose strength was vastly superior. 日本では、圧倒的に強い米国に無謀な戦争を挑んだ理由が問われた。
Was this to blame on the out-of-control military? Or did political confusion of the time play a factor? Or did the media fan jingoistic feelings that were already surging around the nation? 軍部の暴走か、政治の混迷に原因があるのか。メディアが火に油を注いだ国民の熱狂のためか。
In his address before Congress, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) called the day "a date which will live in infamy." 米国にとっては「不名誉の日」（ルーズベルト大統領の戦争教書演説）である。
For the Americans, Pearl Harbor became an object lesson in how a country can fall flat on its face for underestimating its opponent. 相手をあなどった結果の失態として語り継がれる。
During the Cold War, the lesson was applied to America's relationship with the Soviet Union. The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were likened to Pearl Harbor. 冷戦時代にはソ連に備える教訓となり、２００１年の同時多発テロは新たな「真珠湾」とされた。
International order's breaking point ■国際秩序の破断点
History is always reviewed in the light of the present. 歴史はたえず現在に照らして問い直される。
How should we interpret Pearl Harbor today amid the escalation of the European debt crisis and concerns about the future of democracy? ならば、欧州発の経済危機がとどまるところを知らず、民主主義の未来が危ぶまれつつある今日、真珠湾はどんな意味を持つのか。
Let us put the start of the Pacific War in a broader historical context, rather than look at it as an error in judgment by the Japanese government or an outcome of Tokyo's falling-out with Washington. ひとつの視点として、開戦を日本政府の判断の過ちや、日米対立の産物ととらえるだけでなく、もう少し広く歴史を見渡して位置づけてみる。
Seen in that light, one could say that Pearl Harbor represented the point where the international order, which was already in bad shape since the Great Depression of 1929, finally broke down in the Asia-Pacific region. すると、真珠湾は１９２９年の大恐慌から混迷を深めた国際秩序が、アジア・太平洋地域でもついにこわれてしまった破断点だったといえるだろう。
The world's major powers formed exclusive economic blocs to protect their interests, and that led to World War II. 当時は、列強各国が権益を守るためにブロック経済に走り、戦争を招いたのだ。
Nowadays, there are more diverse frameworks of international cooperation, such as the Group of 8 and the G-20, and the necessity of international policy coordination in many fields is much better understood than in the past. それに比べて、いまはＧ８、Ｇ２０といった多様な国際連携の枠組みがある。多くの分野で政策協調の必要性も広く理解されている。
On the other hand, the World Trade Organization has come to a standstill, and this could cause member nations to rush into forming economic blocs. In this age of the Internet, a local crisis can immediately develop into a global crisis, and there is no refuge for anyone. だが一方では、世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）が立ち往生し、へたをすると各国がブロック経済へと突き進む恐れもある。インターネットの時代、危機は瞬時に世界を駆けめぐり、破局から避難できる場所はどこにもない。
Historically, there is no such thing as a recurring drama. 歴史上、同じドラマが起こることはない。
But it is also a fact that history repeats similar mistakes. だが、歴史が似たような過ちを繰り返すのも事実だ。
That is because humans are often incapable of controlling their desires, political ambitions and technology. 人間はしばしば、みずからの欲望や政治的なパワー、技術力を制御できなくなってしまうからだ。
Domestic, international stability go together ■内外の安定は一体
The progress of Japan's modernization was made possible by stability at home and peace in the world. 近代日本の歩みは、国内の安定と国際的な平和が一体的に支え合っていたことを教えてくれる。
The policy of international cooperation that characterized Japanese diplomacy during the two decades of the Taisho Era (1912-1926) mirrored the state of the post-World War I world. 大正デモクラシーから２０年代の協調外交は、第１次大戦後の国際情勢を映していた。
Japan's attainment of post-World War II prosperity was proof that the nation was able to enjoy peace under the strong leadership of the United States during the Cold War years. 第２次大戦後の繁栄は、冷戦期の米国の強い先導力のもと、日本が平和を享受できた証しだ。
Put another way, Japan becomes unstable when international relations begin to deteriorate. 逆に言えば、国際関係にさざ波が立つと、日本は不安定になる。
Pearl Harbor happened when political turmoil at home was compounded by crises abroad. そこに国内政治の揺らぎが重なり、内外の危機が共振し合った先に、真珠湾があった。
In present-day Japan, the failure of the historic regime change of 2009 to renovate Japanese politics has deepened the public's sense of disappointment. In diplomacy, Japan has to contend with the destabilization of Asia due to America's diminishing influence and China's emergence. いまの日本は、内では政権交代が政治を刷新できずに国民の失望を深め、外では米国の影響力低下と中国の台頭によるアジアの不安定化に直面している。
Faced with uncertainties both at home and abroad, now is the time for us to learn three lessons from history leading up to Pearl Harbor. 内外とも混迷するいまだからこそ、私たちは真珠湾に至った歴史から三つの教訓を学ぶべきだと考える。
The first lesson is that we must not seek any simple, quick solution to a problem in times of crisis. ひとつは、危機の時代には、単純な解決を性急に求めないことだ。
In prewar Japan, the disintegration of party politics resulted in the military seizing dictatorial power. 戦前は政党政治の迷走の果てに、軍部による独裁的な政治に行き着いた。
In that process, the people turned to militarism as a means for getting their nation out of a jam. その過程で、国民は武断政治に活路を見いだそうとしていた。
Since Junichiro Koizumi became prime minister in 2001, the public has become used to "theatrical" politics characterized by decisive, clever slogans that have a strong populist appeal. いまの政治も小泉首相以来、断定的な言葉で世論の受けを狙う「劇場型」が幅を利かす。
But there can never be a clear-cut solution to any complex issue involving conflicting interests. 複雑に利害が絡み合う問題は、一刀両断にはできない。
We must not forget that resolving such an issue requires thorough preparation, patience and a determination to follow it through. 周到な準備と粘り強い実行力が要ることを忘れてはならない。
Respect opinions of others ■他者の視座を持って
The second lesson to learn from history is that we must respect the diversity of thought, especially in times of crisis. ふたつめは、危機の時代にこそ、意見の多様性を尊重することだ。
Before and during World War II, society was all too ready to denounce people who voiced their own opinions as "traitors to the country," and that killed freedom of thought and expression. かつて、異論を唱えるものに「非国民」とレッテルを貼る風潮が、自由にものを語りあう空気を社会から奪った。
We must watch out for people who make "brave" assertions and refuse to listen to or accept different opinions. And we must shun the sort of nationalism that fans hatred. 相手の言い分に耳を傾けない勇ましい議論や、異なる見解を封じ、憎悪をあおるナショナリズムには警戒すべきだ。
The third lesson is that we must look at ourselves objectively when we turn our eyes to the rest of the world. 三つめは、世界に目を向けるときは、あわせて他者の視座でわが身を見ることだ。
Kiyoshi Kiyosawa (1890-1945), a journalist who criticized myopic foreign policy opinions before and during the war, noted: "Japan's greatest handicap is its inability to explain its partner's position on international issues. Its own position is the only position Japan can understand." 「日本で最大の不自由は、国際問題において、対手（あいて）の立場を説明することができない一事だ。日本には自分の立場しかない」。視野の狭い外交論議を批判した戦前・戦中のジャーナリスト清沢洌（きよし）の言葉である。
His observation was completely accurate, given that Japan drove itself into the Pacific War because it underestimated Chinese nationalism and misread America's intentions. 中国ナショナリズムの軽視と米国の意図の読み違いが、日本を戦争に追い込んだことを考えれば、この言葉は重い。
Today, Japan's survival hinges on understanding China's motive behind its rapid expansion and deciding how best to rebuild the Japan-U.S. relationship. まさにいまも、強大化する中国の意図をどう見すえ、米国との関係をどう再構築するのかが、この国の死活的な問題になっている。
On the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, which the U.S. historian Samuel E. Morrison (1887-1976) called "a grand strategic blunder" for Japan, let us remind ourselves of the above three lessons. 米歴史家モリソンが「戦略的な愚行」と呼んだ真珠湾攻撃から７０年の日に、改めて三つの教訓を胸に刻む。
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Dec. 7, 2011) Putin's grip on power wanes as public discontent grows ロシア下院選 陰りうかがえるプーチン支配（12月6日付・読売社説）
Results of Sunday's elections in Russia have shown in black and white the mounting public discontent with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has dominated power for more than a decade. ロシアの実権を長年にわたり握り続けるプーチン首相に対し、不満が高まっていることを浮き彫りにした選挙結果だ。
The United Russia party led by Putin lost many seats in the State Duma, or the lower house. ロシア下院選で、プーチン氏の率いる与党「統一ロシア」が、議席を大きく減らした。
The party fell far short of its goal of holding the two-thirds of the 450 seats--the number needed to revise the Russian Constitution--that it held before the election. It did no better than maintain a majority. 定数４５０議席のうち、憲法改正に必要な３分の２の議席を占めていた「現状維持」の目標達成には及ばず、過半数を維持するにとどまった。
The largest opposition Communist Party, which has criticized growing income gaps and called for a fairer distribution of wealth, increased its preelection representation of 57 seats by more than 30 seats. 所得格差拡大を批判し、富の公正な分配を求めた最大野党の共産党が、選挙前の５７議席から、３０以上も議席を増やした。
This indicates many voters who had become disillusioned with the government voted for the Communists. 政権に対する不満の受け皿となった形だ。
The popularity of Putin, who is widely believed to be a shoo-in in next year's presidential election, seems to be on the wane. 来年の大統領選で当選が確実視されているプーチン氏も、その人気に陰りがうかがえる。
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Communist Party prevails
The lower house poll was the second since the Russian election system was changed to hold elections only through proportional representation. The new system was believed to be extremely advantageous for the ruling party because it has an extensive national network of organizations. 今回の下院選は、選挙制度改革で比例選だけになってから２度目の選挙で、強固な全国組織を持つ与党にきわめて有利と見られていた。
Political groups with fewer local chapters are not officially recognized as political parties and thus are not allowed to run in elections. 地方支部が少ない政治団体は政党として認められず、選挙に参加できないからだ。
Nevertheless, the ruling party has suffered a setback. Putin admitted this "reflects the real situation" in Russia. にもかかわらず、与党が不振だったことについて、プーチン氏は「今のロシアの現実を反映する」とコメントした。
The election result might have been unexpected, but he must accept it gravely. 思わぬ誤算だったのかもしれないが、重く受け止めざるを得ないだろう。
After Putin was elected president in 2000, he served two terms spanning eight years. In 2008, he handed the presidency to Dmitry Medvedev and instead became prime minister to keep his grip on power. プーチン氏は、２０００年から大統領職を２期８年間務め、０８年に大統領職をメドベージェフ氏に委ねたのち、首相の座にとどまって実権を握ってきた。
Medvedev trumpeted slogans of establishing the rule of law and fostering high-tech industries, but he will leave office next spring without achieving anything significant. メドベージェフ大統領は、法治主義の確立と先端産業育成を旗印に掲げたが、十分な成果をあげないまま、来春、任期を終える。
Putin will have no strong rival in the presidential election scheduled for next March. プーチン氏には、来年３月の大統領選で有力な対抗馬がいない。
In fact, he still has strong support from many Russian people. いまだに国民多数の根強い支持を得ていることも事実だ。
But if he has aspirations of holding on to the presidency in the long term, he will have to tackle a host of issues. しかし、長期政権の維持を目指すにしても、課題は山積している。
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Corruption still rife
Corruption that has spread its tentacles to the furthest reaches of the bureaucracy has yet to be eradicated. 官僚組織の末端にまで及ぶ汚職の蔓延(まんえん)は、いっこうに改善されていない。
By forging close ties with the bureaucratic machine, United Russia appears to be monopolizing the nation's rights and interests. 「統一ロシア」は官僚とつながり、利権を独占していると見られている。
Strong public dissatisfaction with this was a factor behind the ruling party's poor election showing. 国民の強い不満が、与党不振の一因にもなった。
The Russian economy has been unable to break away from its reliance on energy resources, so the country's revenue is largely influenced by fluctuations in crude oil prices. 経済は、エネルギー資源に依存する体質から脱却できず、原油価格の変動で国家の歳入は大きく左右される。
Many Russians are worried the debt crisis roiling Europe--Moscow's biggest trading partner--will affect their country. 最大の貿易相手の欧州が債務危機に苦しむのを見て、ロシアにも影響が及ぶのではないかと国民は不安を感じている。
It is evident that Russia needs to implement political, economic and social reforms. ロシアが、政治、経済、社会の各分野で、改革を必要としているのは明らかだ。
Putin will need to squarely deal with challenges that have been put off for years and produce tangible results. プーチン氏は、こうした積年の課題に正面から取り組み、成果を出していかなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 6, 2011) （2011年12月6日01時11分 読売新聞）
(Mainichi Japan) December 5, 2011 Plutonium brings no real chance of prosperity 風知草：プルトニウムの反乱＝山田孝男
Some readers appear to wonder why I recently write only about nuclear power generation in this column. I do so because I believe that it is a crucial issue that will determine the fate of Japan as well as the whole world. なんで原発のことばかり書くのかと心配してくださる向きもあるが、これからの日本と世界を左右する決定的なテーマだと思うからである。
There have recently been various news reports that offer valuable insight into the future of nuclear power generation. 原発の今後を考えるうえで示唆に富む報道が続いている。
The Dec. 2 morning edition of the Mainichi Shimbun ran an article reporting that in 2002, the then administrative vice minister of economy, trade and industry and the chairman and president of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) were nearing an agreement to withdraw from a nuclear fuel recycling project. 本紙（２日朝刊）によれば、０２年、当時の経済産業省事務次官と東京電力の会長・社長が、「核燃料再処理事業から撤退」で合意に近づいていた。
Nuclear fuel recycling refers to a process of treating spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power stations with chemicals and extracting reusable uranium and plutonium from it. 核燃料再処理とは、原発から出る使用済み燃料に化学処理を施し、再利用可能なウランやプルトニウムを取り出すことをいう。これがうまくいかない。
This project has so far been unsuccessful and there are no prospects that the project will work. うまくいく見通しもない。
It was only natural that the government regulator and the power supplier were negotiating a withdrawal from the project. 撤退協議は自然だった。
The negotiations came to nothing after top executives of TEPCO were forced to resign over the utility's cover-up of a series of technical problems. Nevertheless, the Mainichi report indicates that a change in Japan's nuclear power policy is not a pipe dream. 結局、立ち消えになった（＝東電のトラブル隠し発覚で首脳陣が交代し、途絶）とはいえ、この逸話は、原発政策転換が夢物語ではないことを示している。
Furthermore, the Mainichi evening edition of the same day (the morning edition the following day in some areas) reported that the United Kingdom is planning to dispose of some of its surplus plutonium, which it had accumulated as a result of nuclear fuel reprocessing, in an underground repository. This news is of greater significance. 同じ日の本紙夕刊（統合版地域は３日朝刊）に、イギリスが核燃料再処理で蓄積したプルトニウムをもてあまし、一部を地下処分場に捨てる予定だという記事が出ていた。このニュースはさらに重要だ。
Plutonium is generated as a result of burning uranium in nuclear reactors. プルトニウムは原子炉のウラン燃焼過程で生まれる。
One gram of the substance has energy equal to that in 1 kiloliter of oil. １グラムに石油１キロリットル分のエネルギーを秘める。
It can be used as a material for both atomic bombs and fuel for nuclear reactors. The U.K. has steadily accumulated plutonium, but failed to develop fast-breeder nuclear reactors, which had been viewed as the core of the peaceful use of such a substance. 原爆の材料にも、原発の燃料にもなる。イギリスはせっせと蓄えてきたが、平和利用の柱と目されていた高速増殖炉の開発に失敗した。
The U.K. then attempted to develop technology for the use of plutonium-uranium MOX fuel in thermal reactors at nuclear power stations, a project known in Japan as "pluthermal." However, the country has been unsuccessful in producing such fuel. The same is true with Japan. そこでＭＯＸ（ウラン・プルトニウム混合酸化物）燃料にして原発で燃やすプルサーマル発電をめざしたが、ＭＯＸがつくれない（日本も同じ。
Areva SA, a nuclear technology company in France, is now manufacturing plutonium-uranium MOX fuel, but questions remain as to its quality. 現在、仏アレバ社だけが生産しているが、品質の評価は定まらない）。
The U.K. ended up being the world's largest holder of surplus plutonium. そうこうするうちに、イギリスは世界最大の「余剰（＝利用先のない）プルトニウム」保有国になってしまった。
The U.K. faced a major challenge in dealing with a massive amount of plutonium, which needs to be stored safely. イギリスは困った。プルトニウムは厳重に保管しなければならない。
The storage of plutonium costs a huge amount of money, but the U.K. can no longer afford to pay for this. カネがかかるが、カネはない。
The U.K. needs to prevent such a substance from falling into the hands of terrorists. とはいえ、ズサン管理でテロリストの手に渡ったら困る。
The country has consequently decided to bury part of its plutonium in an underground repository that is scheduled to begin operations in 2040. そこで一部を、２０４０年操業開始予定の地下処分場に埋めることにした。
Even if the U.K. says it will bury only "part" of its surplus plutonium, its amount is enough to produce hundreds of atomic bombs. 一部といっても、原爆を数十発から数百発つくれる量だ。
The amount of surplus plutonium that needs to be buried could increase as there is no prospect that the U.K. will be successful in developing technology to use plutonium-uranium MOX fuel in thermal reactors. ＭＯＸ開発は引き続きイバラの道だから、埋める量が増える可能性がある。
Moreover, the U.K. will abandon its project to reprocess spent nuclear fuel over the next decade. しかもイギリスは今後１０年かけ、核燃料の再処理をやめる。
Behind the decision is the growing awareness that plutonium offers no positives, while also being a terrible nuisance. この政策の背景には、もはやプルトニウムは希望ではなく、厄介者だという根本的な認識の変化がある。
This is the essence of the story written by Haruyuki Aikawa, a Mainichi correspondent in London. これが、ロンドンから届いた会川晴之記者の特報のミソだ。
The U.K. has already abandoned developing fast-breeder nuclear reactors, and is set to give up nuclear fuel reprocessing as well. イギリスは高速増殖炉開発を既にやめ、核燃料再処理もやめる。
Moreover, its planned construction of a facility to dispose of radioactive waste including plutonium is likely to materialize even though it is still at a planning phase. 計画段階とはいえ、プルトニウムを含む核廃棄物の処分場のメドもついた。
In contrast, there are no prospects that Japan can build a disposal facility. 日本は処分場建設の見込みが立たない。
However, for Japan to call for operations at the Monju prototype fast-breeder nuclear reactor in Fukui Prefecture and the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in the Aomori Prefecture village of Rokkasho to be carried out as planned, would be like putting the cart before the horse as it appears the country is incapable of building a disposal facility. だが、だから、もんじゅや核燃料再処理工場（青森県六ケ所村）を動かせというのは本末転倒だ。
Plutonium is directly related to security issues. プルトニウムは安全保障にも直結する。
The U.K. possesses nuclear weapons but Japan does not. One may wonder whether Japan's independence will be threatened if it abandons nuclear fuel recycling and loses its ability to produce plutonium. イギリスは核保有国だが、日本の場合、プルトニウムから離れて潜在能力を失えば、独立を脅かされないか。
Even though it is an important point of contention the issue should not be used as a reason to underestimate the harm of plutonium. 重要な論点だが、これさえ、プルトニウムの害毒を軽視する理由にはならないと思う。
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano who is in charge of energy policy, Goshi Hosono, state minister for handling the nuclear crisis, and Yoshito Sengoku, second-in-command in the ruling Democratic Party of Japan's Policy Research Committee, have been hearing the views of experts on the issue. これらの問題について、エネルギー担当閣僚である枝野幸男経産相、細野豪志原発事故担当相や、仙谷由人・民主党政調会長代行らが、専門家から意見聴取を続けている。
It is not enough for the government to talk only about the dream of "prosperity" built on dependence on nuclear power. Japan's ability to overcome the mess that follows such prosperity is now being tested. 国内はもちろん、対外交渉においても、原発依存の繁栄の夢を説くだけでなく、繁栄の後始末を引き受け、乗り越える覚悟が問われている。
(Mainichi Japan) December 4, 2011 Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Not every child has to become a prodigy 香山リカのココロの万華鏡：神童にならなくても ／東京
This year has been marked by a drastic rise in the popularity of child celebrities. 今年は、子役が大ブーム。
There are many child actors and singers, all of whom are still in kindergarten or lower elementary school, with skills that would put adults to shame. 幼稚園生や小学校の低学年のあどけない子どもたちが、おとな顔負けの芝居をしたり歌を歌ったり。
They're well mannered in interviews but still maintain age-appropriate cuteness. インタビューでも礼儀正しく、それでいて年相応の無邪気さも見せる。
Amidst the endless serious and dark news these days, these children's smiles have become indispensable in soothing our minds. 何かと暗い話題が多い中、子役たちの笑顔は私たちをなごませる上で欠かせないものとなっている。
Such children are not only present in the world of TV; there are athletes, musicians, English and math experts, and many other "child prodigies" with impressive talents in various fields. 活躍しているのはテレビに出てくる子役だけではない。ときどきスポーツ教室や音楽教室にも“神童”が現れ、抜群の才能でおとなたちを驚かさせる。 幼児のための学習教室には、英語の達人、計算の名人などもいるようだ。
There is nothing wrong with looking at these children and thinking, "Wow, there are some really amazing kids out there." However, there are many occasions when this fascination escalates and some parents become obsessed with the idea of turning their children into prodigies no matter what. 「すごい子どももいるものだね」と感心しているうちはまだよいが、子を持つ親の中には、「ウチの子も」といわゆる英才教育に熱心になる人もいる。
Because children like to be praised by their parents, at the beginning they try very hard and show good results in everything they do. They try to live up to their parents' expectations. 子どもは親にほめられるとうれしいので、最初のうちは期待にこたえようと、一生懸命、勉強、練習などに励み、それなりの成果を上げる。
However, not everyone who tries hard becomes a success. しかし、努力すれば誰もが天才になれるわけではない。
Dealing with failure is a major challenge for parents and children. Sometimes no matter how much kids try they can't pass an audition or receive a prize, and that is part of the reality that many parents and their children face in the pursuit of success. いくらやってもコンテストで入賞しない、オーディションに合格しない、という現実の壁に突き当たったとき、その親子はどうするかが問題。
I once had a patient in my consultation room, a mother, who told me that she just couldn't give up on the idea of her daughter becoming a professional ballerina. She told me the following: "I have sacrificed everything in my life to make my dream of her becoming a ballerina come true. But her ballet instructor told me that I should give up, because my daughter doesn't have the potential. I just can't accept this. When I told my husband that I want to send our daughter to ballet lessons abroad, he advised me to consult a psychiatrist." いつだったか、診察室に「どうしてもあきらめきれない」という母親がやって来たことがあった。 「娘をバレリーナにするのが夢で、これまですべてを注ぎ込んで親子でその道を目指してきたんです。バレエ教室の先生に『これ以上、上はムリ』と言われてしまったけれど受け入れられない。娘を外国に連れて行ってレッスンを受けさせたい、と言ったら、夫に『一度、精神科で相談してきたら』と言われたんです」
As the mother talked away, her still very young daughter listened, looking down. 必死に訴える母親のそばで、まだ幼い娘は申し訳なさそうにうつむいていた。
She seemed embarrassed and apologetic for not having the ability her mother would have wished for her. She looked as if she was saying, "My mother is suffering because of me." 「私のせいでママが苦しんでる」と自分を責めているようだった。
My job on such occasions is to first try to console the child before the mother. I have to tell them that it's not their fault. Otherwise they will forever feel responsible for not living up to their parents' expectations. こういう場合は、母親よりも先に子どものほうに「あなたが悪いわけじゃないよ」と伝えなければ、心に深い傷を残してしまう。
Needless to say, every parent is proud and happy if their children are especially talented. わが子が天才なら、もちろん親はうれしいはずだ。
However, not every child can become a prodigy. Sometimes it is in fact better for children not to be so special. ただ、誰もが神童や天才になる必要はないし、もっと言えば「そんな特別な存在にならないほうがいい」とも言える。
Always being in the spotlight and admired is not necessarily a positive experience. Sometimes it may harm children emotionally as they grow up. いつも注目され称賛されながらすごすのは、子どもの心の成長には必ずしもプラスとは言えないからだ。
Having a talent can bring happiness, but not having a special skill can also leave one content. 才能があればあったで幸せだし、なければないでまたそれも幸せなこと。
This is what I thought as I recently observed popular child celebrities. 子役たちの活躍を見ながら、そんなことを思った。
I love Burma (Myanmar). Burma is one of the most important country in my life. In order for the Myanmar regime to claim that democracy has taken root solidly in the country, it must release all political prisoners, reconcile itself with ethnic minorities and amend the Constitution, which provides legal foundation for the military’s rule. (srachai) 私はビルマ（ミャンマー）が大好きです。ビルマは私にとって特別な国なのです。 民主化が定着したというには、政治犯の全員釈放、少数民族との和解に加え、軍の支配構造を支える憲法が改正されなければならない。 （スラチャイ）
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 3 EDITORIAL: Myanmar must continue with political reforms toward true democracy 米・ミャンマー―対話を民主化にいかせ
Aung San Suu Kyi, the iconic leader of Myanmar's (Burma's) pro-democracy movement, shook hands with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and had a private dinner with her on Dec. 2 in Yangon (Rangoon), the country's commercial capital. ミャンマー（ビルマ）の民主化運動指導者アウン・サン・スー・チーさんと米国のクリントン国務長官がヤンゴンで握手し夕食をともにした。
This would have been unimaginable just half a year ago. 半年前には想像できなかった光景である。
After meeting with the country's new president, Thein Sein, Clinton praised the steps he has taken for political reform, including the release of political prisoners and dialogue with pro-democracy forces, and said the United States will consider upgrading diplomatic relations with Myanmar. テイン・セイン大統領と会談した長官は、政治犯の一部釈放や民主化勢力との対話など一連の措置を歓迎し、外交関係の格上げを検討すると表明した。
However, Clinton stopped short of explicitly referring to the possibility of lifting Washington’s economic sanctions against Myanmar, saying Thein Sein’s reforms had only just begun. 一方で改革は始まったばかりだとして経済制裁の解除には踏み込まなかった。
She also warned the regime against military cooperation with North Korea. 北朝鮮との軍事協力には強く釘を刺した。
Clinton’s visit to Myanmar is the first step for President Barack Obama’s new security strategy, which defines the Asia-Pacific region as a “top priority.” 今回の訪問は、アジア太平洋地域を「最優先」と位置づけるオバマ大統領の安保新戦略の第一歩といえる。
Having been under autocratic military rule for years, Mynamar is now making steady progress toward democracy. This development can only be very beneficial to the United States and its allies. 軍事政権による独裁体制を長年続けた国が民主化を着実に進めれば、米国や同盟国の大きな利益となる。
But there is no room for unreserved optimism about the country’s current regime, whose key posts are occupied almost exclusively by former senior military officers. Washington has good reason to think it would be premature to lift sanctions. しかし、かつての軍幹部が主要ポストを独占する現体制の行方を完全には楽観できない以上、制裁解除を時期尚早とした米政府の判断は妥当といえる。
The U.S. move is also intended as a warning to China, which has been increasing its influence over the geopolitically important Southeast Asian country. 地政学上重要な位置にあるミャンマーで影響力を増す中国を牽制（けんせい）する狙いも米国にはあろう。
While the United States has continued its economic sanctions against Myanmar, China has helped develop ports in southern parts of the country and is now building a pipeline to carry natural gas from a Myanmar port to China’s Yunnan province. 制裁を続けるうちに、中国はミャンマー南部の港湾を整備し、雲南省につなぐ天然ガスパイプラインを建設している。
In September, however, Myanmar’s government decided to freeze construction of a dam in the north funded by aid from China. ミャンマー政府は９月、中国の支援で北部に建設中のダム工事の凍結を決めた。
The United States and other countries have welcomed the decision as a sign that Myanmar is reconsidering its unqualified pro-China foreign policy. 中国一辺倒の姿勢に変化の兆しがみえたとして米国などは歓迎している。
We, too, welcome the Myanmar government’s attempt to diversify its foreign policy focus and strike a balance between its relations with China and the United States if it contributes to the nation’s progress toward democracy. 外交を多角化させ、米中間のバランスをとろうとするミャンマー政府の姿勢が、結果として民主化の促進につながるのであれば歓迎したい。
Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) recently re-registered as a political party after a ban on the group was lifted. スー・チーさん率いる国民民主連盟（ＮＬＤ）は法改正を受けて政党登録をすませた。
Aung San Suu Kyi has also announced her intention to run for parliamentary by-elections to be held next year. スー・チーさん自身も来年に予定される国会の補欠選挙に立候補すると表明した。
Some people in the pro-democracy camp question the wisdom of her decision, recalling how the ruling military junta refused to recognize the result of the 1990 general election, in which the NLD won a landslide victory. These skeptics also point out that the number of parliamentary seats that come up for contest in the forthcoming by-elections will be less than one-tenth of the total. ９０年の総選挙でＮＬＤが圧勝しながら軍政に黙殺された経緯や、補欠選挙で勝っても議席は国会の１０分の１に満たないことから、民主化勢力の内部にもこの決定を疑問視する声がある。
However, it is true that missing out on this opportunity would further muddy the party's political prospects. だがこの機会を逃せば、先の展望が見えないことも事実だ。
It is easy to imagine that it was a difficult decision to make. 苦渋の決断と想像できる。
Aung San Suu Kyi must be looking beyond next year to a victory in the general election scheduled for 2015. その先には１５年の総選挙で勝利をめざす思いがあるはずだ。
In order for the Myanmar regime to claim that democracy has taken root solidly in the country, it must release all political prisoners, reconcile itself with ethnic minorities and amend the Constitution, which provides legal foundation for the military’s rule. 民主化が定着したというには、政治犯の全員釈放、少数民族との和解に加え、軍の支配構造を支える憲法が改正されなければならない。
We hope the nation’s new government will pluck up the courage to make such bold moves. 新政権には大胆な妥協を望みたい。
Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano will both visit the country soon. 玄葉外相や枝野経済産業相が相次いで現地入りする。
Tokyo should also watch carefully to see whether Myanmar is making steady progress toward democracy before it decides to supply aid to the country or expand bilateral economic ties with it. 援助や経済交流促進の前提として、民主化の着実な進展を見極める必要があることを指摘したい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, Dec. 2 EDITORIAL: Drastic financial easing needed to solve Europe debt crisis 欧州危機―思い切った金融緩和を
The central banks of Japan, the United States, Canada and Europe jointly proposed measures to deal with the ongoing financial crisis. 日米欧の主要中央銀行が、協調して金融危機への対応策を打ち出した。
They will lower interest rates on their U.S. dollar loans to make it easier for banks facing financial difficulties because of the European debt crisis to borrow funds. 欧州の債務問題で経営が悪くなった銀行が資金繰りに窮しないよう、中央銀行が貸し出すドル資金の金利を下げ、借りやすくする。
In stock markets across the world, share prices rose on the grounds that concerns for a financial system crisis were alleviated. 各国の株式市場は、金融システム危機への懸念が和らいだとして、いずれも上昇した。
However, the dollar supply plan is no more than a stopgap measure. ただ、今回のドル供給策はあくまで急場しのぎでしかない。
The European debt crisis that spread to Italy has become increasingly serious with concerns for the downgrading of French government bonds and the failure of a German government bond auction to draw investors. イタリアへ波及した欧州の債務危機は、フランス国債の格下げ不安やドイツ国債の入札不調で一段と深刻化している。
With the drop in bond prices, European banks are facing deteriorating financial standings, and pressure of a credit crunch caused by cutbacks in lending and sales of assets shows no signs of abating. 国債の値下がりで欧州の銀行は財務内容が悪化しており、貸し渋りや資産売却による信用収縮の圧力は収まりそうにない。
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development predicts that the economy of the euro zone will shrink for two consecutive quarters from the October-December period of 2011. 経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）はユーロ圏が１０～１２月期から２四半期連続でマイナス成長になると予測する。
The debt crisis is undermining financial functions and cooling the real economy. 債務問題が金融機能を損なわせ、実体経済を冷え込ませる構図だ。
At this rate, the situation could lead to a global economic crisis, affecting the United States, which has a huge amount of investments and loans in Europe, China, with its large quantities of exports to Europe, and Japan, which has been hit by a strong yen. このままでは、欧州に多額の投融資をしている米国や、欧州への輸出が多い中国、円高の直撃を受ける日本など、世界に経済危機が広がる。
A recurrence of the Lehman Shock must be averted at any cost. リーマン・ショックの再来は断じて防がねばならない。
However, major European countries that are the key players in the euro zone have yet to make a concerted effort to deal with the crisis. ところが、肝心のユーロ圏主要国の足並みは乱れたままだ。
The expansion of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), which is considered an ace in the hole for now, has a far way to go to meet its target of 1 trillion euros in the face of objections by Germany, which puts importance on financial discipline of each country. 当面の切り札である欧州金融安定化基金（ＥＦＳＦ）の拡大についても、各国の財政規律を重視するドイツの反対で、目標の１兆ユーロはおぼつかない。
While it is important to restore fiscal health, the European Central Bank (ECB) should first expand its purchase of government bonds. 財政健全化も重要だが、まずは欧州中央銀行（ＥＣＢ）が国債の購入を拡大すべきだ。
It is also necessary to drastically reduce interest rates and implement drastic financial easing. 金利も大幅に引き下げ、大胆な金融緩和に踏み込む必要がある。
We urge Germany, which is objecting to the purchase of government bonds on the grounds that it would cause inflation, to change its stance on this matter. インフレを招くとして国債購入に反対しているドイツは、ここから「君子豹変（ひょうへん）」してほしい。
A credit crunch would sooner or later develop into massive pressure for deflation. 信用収縮は早晩、巨大なデフレ圧力となる。
Unless unrest of financial systems is brought under control, the situation could lead to a deflationary spiral beyond help. 金融システムの動揺を抑えないと、手の施しようがないデフレ・スパイラルに陥りかねない。
Currently, the growth rate of prices in the euro zone is 3 percent. ユーロ圏の物価上昇率は現在３％。
Since it is higher than the ECB's target of "2 percent or less," the situation calls for austerity measures under ordinary circumstances. ＥＣＢが目安とする「２％以下」を上回り、通常なら引き締めの情勢だ。
But now is a time of emergency. しかし、いまは非常事態である。
While Germany bitterly remembers the hyperinflation that hit the country after World War I, if the current situation leads to a deflationary spiral, it would be a total loss. 第１次大戦後のハイパーインフレが骨身に染みているドイツだが、デフレ・スパイラルを招いては元も子もない。
Furthermore, as France proposed, the EFSF should be reorganized into a bank. さらに、フランスが提案していたように、ＥＦＳＦは銀行へと改組するのが望ましい。
Like ordinary banks, if it borrows funds from the ECB by using government bonds in its possession as collateral and purchases more bonds, the expansion of the EFSF would be unnecessary. ふつうの銀行と同様に、手持ちの国債を担保にＥＣＢから資金を借りて国債を買えば、ＥＦＳＦの規模を拡大せずにすむ。
Although the idea was scrapped because of Germany's opposition, top priority must be given to the prevention of a crisis. これもドイツの反対でつぶれたが、危機の防止を最優先にしなければならない。
