The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 30, 2013) Older Japanese must work longer without crowding out the young ６５歳まで雇用 若者の仕事を奪わぬように（3月29日付・読売社説）
The revised Law for the Stabilization of Employment of Elderly People, which requires companies to allow all employees to stay on the payroll until they are 65 if they wish to do so, takes effect on April 1. ６５歳までの希望者全員を雇用するよう企業に義務付けた改正高年齢者雇用安定法が４月１日に施行される。
The revised law comes in conjunction with a gradual increase in the eligibility age for benefits under the government-run kosei nenkin corporate pension insurance scheme to 65 from the current 60, beginning from April. The revision was enacted in August last year. 改正法は、厚生年金の支給開始年齢が４月以降、現在の６０歳から段階的に６５歳に引き上げられることに伴うもので、昨年８月に成立した。
The purpose of the legislation is understandable: the need to help people deal with a period in which they might receive no pension. It can be said the times we live in require companies to continue employing all of their elderly workers as long as they desire to stay on at their jobs. 定年後に年金を受け取れない期間が生じるのを防ぐという狙いは理解できる。企業に対し、希望者全員の雇用継続を義務付けるのは、時代の要請と言えよう。
The current law calls for companies to make efforts to enable employees to work until the age of 65 after the retirement age of 60, either by abolishing the mandatory age limit, raising the age limit or implementing reemployment measures for retired workers. 現行法も、６０歳で定年を迎えた社員が、定年の廃止か引き上げ、または継続雇用により、６５歳まで働けるよう企業に求めている。継続雇用を選択した場合、健康状態や働く意欲など、一定の基準を設けて選別できる仕組みだ。
When companies choose one of these reemployment systems, the current law is designed to enable the firm to set certain criteria in selecting employees eligible to continue working, such as health conditions and motivation for working.
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Elderly can boost economy
The latest revision to the system is mainly aimed at doing away with the stipulation of criteria, to ban companies from retaining only certain selected workers. Under the revised law, the government will issue a warning to companies that fail to comply with the new system. If they then refuse to comply, the companies' names will be made public. 今回の制度改正は、この基準規定を廃止し、選別を認められなくするのが眼目だ。政府は、違反した企業に勧告を行い、従わない場合は企業名を公表するという。
To be sure, the nation's average life expectancy has risen markedly and the health of people in their 60s has improved a great deal. 確かに、平均寿命が伸び、６０歳代の健康状態は格段に向上している。
It is significant that people aged 60 to 64, who have so far been supported by the pension system, will instead be able to support the social security system by working and paying premiums for the pension program. 年金に支えられてきた６０～６４歳の人たちが、働いて税や保険料を納め、社会保障の支え手となる意義は大きい。
It is hoped that people in this age bracket will receive higher income and also engage in higher spending, thus boosting the country's economic growth. この年代の所得や消費が向上し、経済成長を後押しする効果も期待できるだろう。
However, a wide divergence tends to appear among people in their 60s in terms of their willingness and ability to work. だが、６０歳代では、能力と意欲の個人差が広がる。
It is reasonable that the business world at one time opposed mandatory continuation of employment up to the age of 65 on the grounds that the system would increase personnel costs, weighing on corporate management. 経済界が６５歳までの継続雇用の義務化に「人件費が増え、経営を圧迫する」と反対していたのも、無理はない。
It is of the highest importance to ensure companies under the new system never deprive young people of employment opportunities for the sake of continued employment of the elderly. They also must never use the system as an excuse to increase the number of nonregular workers. 重要なのは、高年齢者の雇用維持を理由に若者の仕事を奪ったり、非正規雇用を増やしたりしてはならないということだ。
However, about 40 percent of employers responding to a poll said they will "curb employment of young recruits" following the implementation of the revised law. 改正法施行で、「若年層の雇用を抑える」とした企業は約４割に上る、との調査もある。
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'Age of lifelong work'
To prevent the dynamism of society as a whole from dwindling, all companies are urged to use ingenuity to provide jobs for both young and old. 社会全体の活力を低下させないようにするためにも、若者から高齢者まで、働く場の確保に各企業は知恵を絞ってもらいたい。
Many firms will have to make important judgments regarding allocation of personnel expenses, such as curbing pay raises for employees in their 40s and 50s. ４０～５０歳代の賃金上昇を抑えるなど、人件費の配分を工夫していくことになるだろう。
Meanwhile, the United States, Britain and Germany have already decided to raise their pension eligibility age to 67 or 68. 年金の支給開始年齢について、米国やイギリス、ドイツは既に６７～６８歳に引き上げることを決めている。
Given that Japan has been graying more rapidly than these countries, it will be hard for this nation to avoid further raising the pension eligibility age beyond 65. これらの国より早く高齢化が進む日本で、さらなる引き上げを避けるのは難しい。
Since the graying of society coupled with low birthrates will certainly be accelerated, people's working lives will most likely become longer. Under the circumstances, companies and workers alike must think hard about what should be done to prepare for the advent of an "age of lifelong work." 一段と少子高齢化が進み、働く期間も一層長くなる。企業も労働者も「生涯現役社会」の到来を見据えねばならない。
We urge the government to work out and implement policies conducive to expanding employment by giving more teeth to measures for encouraging the development of industries with high growth potential. 政府にも、成長産業にテコ入れし、雇用を拡充していくような戦略的な政策が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 29, 2013) （2013年3月29日01時38分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 29, 2013) Japan should take upper hand in FTA negotiations 経済連携交渉 日本主導で自由貿易圏加速を（3月28日付・読売社説）
Prompted by Japan's recent announcement it would join the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, various large-scale, free trade agreement initiatives have begun materializing one after another. 日本が環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉への参加を正式表明したことを契機に、広大な自由貿易圏の構想が次々と具体的に動き出した。
On Tuesday, the inaugural round of negotiations on a trilateral FTA between Japan, China and South Korea kicked off in Seoul. 日本、中国、韓国３か国の自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）の第１回交渉がソウルで始まった。
Tokyo has also agreed with the European Union to begin talks in April on an economic partnership agreement. In May, negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will begin, with countries including Japan, China, South Korea and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations expected to join the talks. 日本は、欧州連合（ＥＵ）との経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）交渉を４月に開始する方針でも合意した。日中韓と東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）などが参加する東アジア包括的経済連携（ＲＣＥＰ）の交渉も５月にスタートする。
We can say the trend of nations and regions vying to create FTA frameworks beneficial to themselves has accelerated. 各国・地域が自らに有利な自由貿易圏を競う潮流が、さらに鮮明になってきたと言えよう。
As Japan is scheduled to participate in multiple FTA negotiations, there is an opportunity for the nation to proactively engage in establishing regional trade rules. The government must devote itself to realizing these FTAs at the earliest opportunity, paving the way for boosting Japan's economic growth. 複数の交渉に加わる日本にとって、貿易ルール作りに積極的に関与できるチャンスである。各交渉の早期合意を実現し、成長に弾みをつけなければならない。
Regarding FTA talks, it is clear that Japan is lagging behind South Korea, which has already concluded FTAs with the United States and the EU. It has been a considerable time since Japan presented FTA proposals to its Asian neighbors and the EU, but talks on these have been slow to materialize. 韓国が米国やＥＵとのＦＴＡを発効させたのに比べて、日本は出遅れが目立つ。打診していた中韓両国や欧州との交渉を開始することすらできずにいた。
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Japan rallying from behind
However, the EU, China and South Korea have recently begun making favorable comments regarding negotiations with Japan, following Tokyo's move to join TPP talks. ところが、日本のＴＰＰ交渉参加の動きを受けて、ＥＵと中韓が対日交渉開始へ軟化に転じた。
It appears the EU intends to counter the influence of the TPP with an EU-Japan FTA. The EU has also agreed with the United States to begin FTA negotiations, with talks expected to start soon. It is obvious that the EU is concerned about the possibility of being left behind in the global trend. ＥＵには、日本との協定をＴＰＰへの対抗軸にする思惑がうかがえる。米国ともＦＴＡ交渉開始で合意し、近く交渉を始める。世界の動きからＥＵが取り残される事態を警戒したのは明らかだ。
We assume Beijing has a similar goal. The problem of the Senkaku Islands persists between Japan and China, but it seems China is trying to counter the United States' deepening influence in Asia by engaging in talks with Japan and South Korea. 日中間では尖閣諸島の問題がくすぶるが、中国も日中韓交渉の開始により、アジアへ関与を深める米国を牽制(けんせい)する狙いがあろう。
Japan's challenge is clear--whether it can take the initiative in setting up trade rules. 日本の課題は、貿易ルール作りを主導できるかどうかだ。
Points of contention in Japan-EU talks will be eliminating the EU's high tariffs on automobiles and other products, as well as Japan's market deregulation in fields such as cars and medical equipment. Reaching an agreement quickly presents Japan and the EU with many hurdles to overcome. ＥＵとの交渉では、ＥＵによる自動車などの高関税の撤廃とともに、日本の自動車、医療機器市場などの規制緩和が焦点になる。早期合意へのハードルは高い。
The outlook of negotiations between Japan, China and South Korea is also unclear, as issues such as intellectual property rights and competition policies are expected to be discussed at the talks. 日中韓交渉も、知的財産権や競争政策などが交渉分野になるだけに、先行きは不透明だ。
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Need to be a tough negotiator
Regarding TPP talks, countries are expected to employ various tactics on whether to exempt agricultural products, such as rice, from tariff elimination. ＴＰＰでは、コメなど農産品を関税撤廃の例外扱いにするかを巡って駆け引きが予想される。
A major premise for Japan in joining the TPP talks is to seek to create a new free trade framework that will enhance the level of the market openness of the region. 日本にとって、市場開放度を高める自由貿易の新たな枠組みを目指すことが大前提である。
Meanwhile, by simultaneously undertaking other FTA negotiations, Japan will be able to put pressure on the United States, the EU and China. The government must use its bargaining power to pursue the interests of the nation in the negotiations. It is also important to keep in mind the necessity of inducing China to comply with international trade rules. 一方、交渉を同時並行で行うことで米欧や中国を揺さぶる道も開けよう。国益を反映させる交渉力を発揮すべきだ。中国を国際ルールに取り込む必要もある。
As Japan--one of the world's major exporters--has recorded trade deficits in recent years, it is urgent to get the nation back on its feet. Japan's announcement to join the TPP talks had a far-reaching impact on the world. To exploit this opportunity, Japan must prepare a sharp strategy for the negotiations. 貿易赤字に転落した「輸出大国」の立て直しは急務と言える。ＴＰＰ参加表明が世界に及ぼした相乗効果を生かし、政府にはしたたかな戦略が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 28, 2013) （2013年3月28日01時13分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 28, 2013) Diet should respond quickly to warnings from judiciary 衆院選違憲判決 国会は司法の警告に即応せよ（3月27日付・読売社説）
◆「無効」判断は無責任ではないか◆
Never before has the legislature been so harshly criticized for its negligence by the judiciary. 立法府が、司法からこれほどまで怠慢を指摘されたのは、かつてなかったことだ。
Rulings have been handed down in 15 of 16 lawsuits heard at high courts and high court branches across Japan over vote-value disparities in the December House of Representatives election. 昨年１２月の衆院選を巡り、全国の高裁・支部で審理された１６件の「１票の格差」訴訟のうち、１５件で判決が言い渡された。
In 13 of the cases, the courts found results in related single-seat constituencies in the Dec. 16 lower house election to be unconstitutional. In the two remaining cases, the election results were found to be in an "unconstitutional state." There was not a single case in which the election results were ruled constitutional. １３件は「違憲」と断じた。残る２件も「違憲状態」と指摘し、合憲判断は一つもなかった。
The rulings were handed down as a result of examinations by about 50 high court judges. The Diet must seriously take the rulings to heart and quickly take concrete measures to correct vote-value disparities. 約５０人もの高裁判事が審理した結果である。国会は判決を重く受け止め、早期に具体的な是正措置を講じなければならない。
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Rectification taking too long ◆進まない格差の是正◆
Do vote-value disparities in last year's lower house election--with votes in one constituency worth up to 2.43 times as much as those in another--violate the Constitution, which guarantees people's equality under the law? 最大２・４３倍だった１票の格差が、法の下での平等を保障した憲法に違反するか。
If so, is the time period in which the Diet left the disparities unaddressed permissible? These were points of contention in the lawsuits. 違反であれば、国会が格差を放置した期間は許容できる範囲内か。いずれの訴訟もこの２点が主な争点だ。
The rulings that found the election results to be unconstitutional judged that vote-value disparities violate the Constitution and that a reasonable time period to correct the disparities had elapsed. 「違憲」判決は、格差が憲法違反である上、格差是正の合理的期間も過ぎたと判断した。
The rulings that found the election results to be in an unconstitutional state consider the vote-value disparities to violate the Constitution but view the time period in which the disparities were left unaddressed as permissible. 「違憲状態」判決は、憲法違反だが、格差の放置は許される期間内だとの見解である。
In March 2011, the Supreme Court ruled that the 2009 lower house election, in which the maximum vote-value disparity was 2.30-to-1, was in an unconstitutional state. The disparity widened further in the lower house election last year. 最大格差が２・３０倍だった２００９年の衆院選について、最高裁は１１年３月、「違憲状態」とする判決を出した。昨年末の衆院選時には、それよりも格差が拡大していた。
Therefore, it was only to be expected that a series of tough judgments would be handed down by the high courts. 高裁の一連の厳しい判断は、予想できたと言えよう。
But how large can a vote-value disparity grow and still be considered constitutional? The rulings handed down so far are not necessarily clear on this point. ただ、１票の格差は、何倍までならば合憲なのか、各高裁の判決からは必ずしも判然としない。
Another problem is that the Hiroshima High Court and the high court's Okayama branch declared results in certain single-seat constituencies in the December lower house election were invalid. さらに、問題なのは、広島高裁と広島高裁岡山支部が、選挙の無効まで宣告したことである。
Other courts have applied the legal principle of "circumstantial ruling" and found election results themselves to be valid in consideration of the confusion that might be created if they were ruled invalid. 裁判所はこれまで「事情判決」の法理を適用し、選挙そのものは有効としてきた。無効とした場合の混乱を考慮してのことだ。
But the Hiroshima High Court did not apply this circumstantial ruling principle, saying, "The Supreme Court's right to determine the constitutionality of laws has been disregarded." これに対し、広島高裁は「最高裁の違憲審査権が軽視されている」として、事情判決を適用しなかった。
The high court also expressed a view that September of last year, 1-1/2 years after the top court's ruling, should have been the deadline for rectifying vote-value disparities. 「最高裁判決から１年半が経過した昨年９月」を、格差是正の期限とする見解も示した。
However, no concrete basis for this standard was given. だが、この線引きの具体的根拠は示されていない。
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Undue judicial interference ◆「将来効」判決は疑問◆
The Hiroshima High Court also ruled that the election results in the Hiroshima constituencies will be rendered invalid after Nov. 26 this year. 無効の効力は、今年１１月２６日を経過して発生するとも判示した。
The decision took into account the fact that the Council on House of Representatives Electoral Districts has been working on revamping these districts since Nov. 26 last year. 衆院の「選挙区画定審議会」が、昨年１１月２６日から改定作業を始めたことを重視したのだという。
It is not clear if a one-year grace period is necessary before the ruling takes effect. 一定期間を経た後に効力が生じるという「将来効」の考え方だが、１年という区切りの必然性は明確でない。
Staying the effect of the ruling can be taken as an intrusion by the judiciary into territory where discretionary power is granted to the legislature. 立法府の裁量権に司法が踏み込んだとも言える。
The Okayama branch of the Hiroshima High Court immediately invalidated the result for an Okayama Prefecture constituency as the principle of equality in the value of each vote, it said, took precedence over concerns for political confusion. We find such a ruling unacceptably reckless. 岡山支部は、選挙を「即時無効」と判断した。「政治的混乱より投票価値の平等」を重視したというが、あまりに乱暴過ぎる。
The existing Public Offices Election Law has no detailed stipulations about revoting, should an election be deemed invalid. 現行の公職選挙法には、選挙無効が確定した場合の詳細なやり直し規定がない。
For example, no clear legal procedures for revoting are mentioned, including whether new elections should be held only in constituencies where lawmakers lost their seats, or if instead the lower house should be dissolved for a general election. 例えば、失職した議員の選挙区のみ再選挙をするのか、解散・総選挙になるのか、法的手続きは整理されていない。
Should the rulings nullifying the election results stick, Japan's politics would be thrown into utter confusion. 無効判決が確定すれば、政治は混乱するばかりだ。
All rulings related to vote disparities are expected to be taken to the Supreme Court. It is hoped that the top court will make a realistic decision. すべての訴訟は上告される見通しだ。最高裁には現実的な判断を示してもらいたい。
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Parties must cooperate on solution ◆与野党合意できぬなら◆
Meanwhile, the government and ruling parties should ensure that a draft bill be enacted swiftly to reduce five seats in less populated constituencies in an effort to narrow vote disparities among the least and most represented constituencies to within a 1-to-2 ratio. Then, they must take on the task of revamping the electoral districts. 一方、政府・与党は、１票の格差を２倍未満に収める「０増５減」の区割りを決める公選法改正案を早期に成立させた上で抜本改革に取り組まねばならない。
Reducing five seats without increasing any seats in densely populated districts, as stipulated in the draft bill, is based on the current zoning method, which the top court deemed a major cause for producing vote disparities and urged to be abolished. The current zoning method first allocates one seat each to Tokyo and 46 prefectures out of the 300 district seats and then distributes the rest of the seats to each prefecture based on population. ただ、０増５減は、最高裁が１票の格差を生む主因として廃止を求めた「１人別枠方式」による定数配分を基礎としている。
As the ruling by the Okayama branch indicated, the reduction of a mere five seats does not amount to an appropriate legislative step to rectify the gap in the value of each vote. 岡山支部判決が指摘するように「投票価値の格差是正への立法措置とは言い難い」だろう。
There is, however, no prospect in sight for a sweeping electoral rezoning, hampered by conflicting interests of parties in both the ruling and opposition camps. 抜本改革となると、与野党それぞれの思惑が絡んで、進展の見通しは全く立っていない。
The Liberal Democratic Party's reform plan calls for reducing seats under the proportional representation section from 180 to 150. Sixty of the seats would be preferentially allotted to the political parties ranked second or lower. Such a preferential seat allotment, many say, would violate the Constitution's guarantee of equality in the value of each vote. 自民党がまとめた案は、比例選の定数を３０減の１５０議席とし、そのうち６０は得票数が２位以下の政党に配分する優遇枠とした。優遇枠については、「１票の価値の平等」という観点から憲法違反の恐れが指摘されている。
The electoral zoning deemed unconstitutional by the judiciary should not be replaced, as part of electoral reforms, by a different system feared to also be unconstitutional. 司法が「違憲」と判断した制度を見直すのに、またもや違憲の恐れがある制度をもって代えてよいはずがあるまい。
Upper house electoral zoning, like that of the lower house, has been ruled to be in an unconstitutional state. Last November, the Diet revised the Public Offices Election Law to add four seats in populated prefectures and eliminate four seats from less populated prefectures. The law revision, however, was only a stop-gap measure. 衆院選と同様に参院選も「違憲状態」と判断されている。国会は参院選の１票の格差を是正するために昨年１１月、公選法を改正し、選挙区定数を「４増４減」したが、応急的な措置に過ぎない。
The electoral system not only expresses the will of the public but also serves as the foundation of a smooth political process. The Diet must carry out drastic electoral reforms after studying on how parliamentary duties should be divided between the upper and lower chambers. 選挙制度は、ただ民意を反映するだけのものではなく、政治が物事を円滑に決めるための基盤でもある。国会は衆院、参院の役割分担を検討したうえで、抜本的な制度改革を進めるべきだ。
If conflicting interests of political parties stand in the way of electoral reform, the only way left is to set up an expert council to get electoral reform under way. 各党の党利党略によって、選挙制度改革が困難というのなら、有識者による選挙制度審議会を設けてでも改革を図るしかない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 27, 2013) （2013年3月27日01時12分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 27, 2013) Pile intl pressure on North Korea over human rights violations 国連人権調査委 北朝鮮に拉致解決迫るテコだ（3月26日付・読売社説）
The U.N. Human Rights Council recently unanimously adopted a resolution on establishing a panel to investigate human rights abuse in North Korea. 国連人権理事会で、北朝鮮の人権侵害に関する調査委員会の設立をうたう決議が、全会一致で採択された。
It is important for the international community to seize this momentum and step up pressure on the reclusive country to improve its human rights conditions, which would pave the way for the swift resolution of North Korea's abduction of Japanese. これをテコに、北朝鮮の人権状況の改善を求める国際社会の連携を強化し、日本人拉致問題の早期解決につなげることが重要である。
The resolution was jointly submitted by Japan and the European Union, and denounced North Korea's "systematic, widespread and grave violation of human rights." It stipulated the establishment of an inquiry panel of three experts to investigate human rights abuse including the use of torture and labor camps, as well as "enforced disappearances, including in the form of abductions of nationals of other states." 決議案は日本と欧州連合（ＥＵ）が共同提出した。北朝鮮の「組織的で広範かつ重大な人権侵害」を非難し、強制収容所や拷問、「外国国籍者の拉致を含む強制失踪」などを調べるため、３人の専門家による調査委設立を明記した。
The United Nations has appointed a special rapporteur tasked with investigating North Korea's human rights conditions every year, but establishing the panel will enable a more exhaustive investigation. 国連は毎年、北朝鮮の人権状況を調査する特別報告者を任命してきたが、調査委発足によって、より充実した調査が可能となる。
The Japanese government should unreservedly support the panel. It must unveil the full picture of the abductions--a crime committed by a state--and bring all the Japanese victims home. 日本政府は、総力を挙げて協力し、拉致という北朝鮮の国家犯罪の全容解明と、被害者全員の帰国実現を図っていくべきだ。
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High expectations for panel
The United Nations has adopted resolutions condemning North Korea's human rights situation annually in recent years. Votes cast against the resolutions in support of North Korea have decreased over the years, while votes in favor have increased. Since last year, these resolutions have been adopted unanimously. 北朝鮮の人権状況を非難する国連決議案の採決では、北朝鮮擁護派の反対票が年々減少する一方、賛成票は増え続け、昨年から全会一致での採択が通例となった。
The U.N. Security Council adopted a unanimous resolution on tougher sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear and missile development programs. Pyongyang has continuously thumbed its nose at international condemnation of the programs. Even China has become more willing to implement sanctions on North Korea. 核・ミサイル問題でも、国際社会の非難を無視する北朝鮮に、国連安全保障理事会は全会一致で制裁を強化した。中国も、制裁実施に積極的な姿勢を見せている。
The North Korean regime of Kim Jong Un must take this mounting international pressure to heart. 北朝鮮の金正恩政権は、こうした国際的な圧力の高まりを重く受け止めなければならない。
North Korea likely will keep refusing to cooperate with U.N. investigations, and will not open its doors to inquiry panel members. 北朝鮮は、これまでと同様、国連への協力を拒み、調査委関係者の入国を一切認めないだろう。
However, the panel can collect detailed evidence from victims, defectors, their relatives, governments and agencies outside North Korea. The panel is expected to compile a report on the state of Pyongyang's human rights violations and specific countermeasures. The report will be issued as an official U.N. document a year from now. それでも調査委は、北朝鮮以外の国で、被害者や脱北者、家族、政府、諸機関から詳細な証言を集めることができる。それを基に組織的な人権侵害の実態や具体的な対策をまとめ、１年後に国連報告書として公表する予定だ。
The panel report could firmly pursue the North Korean leadership's responsibility for crimes against humanity. The international community must keep squeezing North Korea until it improves its human rights record. 北朝鮮指導部に「人道に対する罪」の責任を厳しく問うこともできよう。人権状況の改善を迫るために、国際社会は北朝鮮に圧力をかけ続ける必要がある。
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Little time left for families
The Human Rights Council resolution reflects the Japanese government's strenuous efforts on the abduction issue. We praise the government for its work. 今回の決議は、日本政府の拉致問題に関する積極的な取り組みの一つの成果と、評価できる。
In his policy speech earlier this year, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his mission will not end until all abducted Japanese stand again on their native soil. Family members of the abductees have grown old, so there is no time to waste. We ask the prime minister to produce tangible results. 安倍首相は施政方針演説で、拉致被害者の帰国まで「私の使命は終わらない」と述べた。被害者家族の高齢化を考えれば時間は貴重だ。ぜひ結果を出してほしい。
The government should develop a strategic and aggressive diplomatic policy toward North Korea, including the option of resuming intergovernmental talks. 北朝鮮との政府間協議の再開も含めて、戦略的で積極的な外交の展開が求められる。
Without a comprehensive solution to the abduction, nuclear and missile problems, it will be impossible to normalize relations with North Korea. It is essential for the government to maintain this stance when dealing with Pyongyang. 拉致、核、ミサイル問題の包括的な解決なくして、日朝国交正常化はあり得ない。政府はこの立場を堅持することが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 26, 2013) （2013年3月26日01時35分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 26, 2013) Revitalization of business crucial to escaping real estate deflation 公示地価 不動産デフレ脱却へもう一息（3月25日付・読売社説）
Land prices have been showing stronger signs of bottoming out. To make it possible to restore real estate prices to normal levels and lead the nation out of deflation, the government must accelerate economic revitalization. 地価の底入れの兆しが一段と強まってきた。不動産価格を正常化させ、デフレから脱却できるよう、政府は経済活性化を急がねばならない。
Posted land prices as of Jan. 1 this year, which were announced last week by the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, dropped 1.6 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively, in residential and commercial areas from a year before. This marked year-on-year negative growth for the fifth straight year since the Lehman shock in the autumn of 2008. 国土交通省が発表した２０１３年１月１日時点の公示地価は、全国の住宅地で前年比１・６％、商業地で２・１％下落した。０８年秋のリーマン・ショック以降、ともに５年連続のマイナスだった。
However, the bright side is that the margin of decline shrank for three consecutive years. Above all, it may be said that the bottom is in sight in three major metropolitan areas where the margin of decline remained below 1 percent. 下落幅が３年連続で縮小したのは明るい材料だ。中でも３大都市圏の下落幅は０％台で、下げ止まりが視野に入ったと言える。
The year-on-year fall in the average land price contracted in almost all prefectures. This indicates that the situation is improving in both urban and regional areas. 都道府県別の平均値も、ほぼすべてで下落幅が縮まった。都市圏から地方圏へ、改善傾向が広がっていることをうかがわせる。
Funds have been flowing into the real estate market on hopes for the economic revitalization policies put forth by Shinzo Abe before he became prime minister. If this trend continues, it will spur a rebound in land prices. 安倍首相が就任前から掲げた経済再生に対する期待が先行し、不動産市場に資金が流入している。こうした動きが続けば、地価の回復に弾みがつくだろう。
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Signs of recovery
Improvement is conspicuous in residential zones as a result of such policies as low interest rates and tax deductions for people who take out housing loans. 住宅地で改善が目立つのは、低金利や住宅ローン減税などの政策効果が下支えしたのが要因だ。
In Tokyo, some areas showed positive growth compared to no change the year before, thanks to brisk sales of condominiums. 東京では前年ゼロだった上昇地点が現れた。マンション販売が堅調なことが背景にある。
It is noteworthy that land prices are coming out of a slump in commercial areas, particularly in metropolitan areas, which tended to lag residential areas in the pace of their recovery. 住宅地に比べて遅れ気味だった商業地が、都市部を手始めに持ち直してきたのも注目できる。
The number of spots with higher land prices increased in redevelopment areas centering on large-scale commercial facilities such as Tokyo Skytree and areas where there is strong demand for moving to newly built houses and condominiums with advanced earthquake resistance. 東京スカイツリーなど大規模な商業施設を中核とした再開発地域や、耐震性に優れた新築物件への移転需要が根強い地域などで上昇地点が増えている。
Vacancy rates are falling, and the drop in rents is coming to an end. 空室率の低下、賃料の下げ止まりといった傾向が見え始めた。
Investments, mainly from after parts of Asia, seem to be expanding. This is possible because real estate in Japan is considered relatively inexpensive, as the yen has weakened due to monetary easing policies. アジアを中心とする海外からの投資マネーも増大しているようだ。金融緩和に伴う円安の進行などで日本の不動産に割安感が出ているのだろう。
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A matter of concern
Improvement is slow in regional commercial areas facing structural problems such as shrinking populations and battered economies. 一方、人口減や地域経済の疲弊など構造的な要因を抱える地方の商業地は改善テンポが鈍い。
In the areas devastated by the tsunami triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the polarization has weakened between land prices in tsunami-affected coastal areas and in higher areas that escaped being inundated. 東日本大震災の被災地では、津波被害に見舞われた沿岸部と浸水を免れた高台で地価が二極化する現象は薄まっている。
But it is worrying that a growing number of areas are showing a sharp rise in land prices as the demand to move expands due to the progress of reconstruction projects. しかし、復興事業が進展し、住宅移転への需要が拡大するのに伴い、地価の急上昇する地点が増えている点は気がかりだ。
The residential area in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, marked the biggest rate of increase in land prices for two years in a row. Land prices turned upward across the board in municipalities in Miyagi and Iwate prefectures along the Pacific coast. Miyagi topped the national list of prefectures in terms of the growth rate in land prices. 地価上昇率トップの住宅地は２年連続で宮城県石巻市だった。宮城、岩手両県の沿岸市町村は軒並み上昇に転じ、県別でも宮城県が全国一の上昇率を記録した。
The central and local governments concerned should beef up their surveillance to prevent sharp jumps in land prices that will have an adverse effect on housing reconstruction. 急激な地価上昇が住宅再建に悪影響を及ぼさないように政府と自治体は監視を強めるべきだ。
Authorities must be cautious regarding the effect on land prices of increased demand ahead of a hike in the consumption tax planned for April. 来年４月の消費税増税をにらんだ駆け込み需要が地価に与える影響にも注意する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 25, 2013) （2013年3月25日01時12分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 25, 2013) Scandal-tainted judo federation must revamp leadership 全柔連改革 人心一新しか再生の道はない（3月24日付・読売社説）
A rash of scandals, including cases of physical violence and verbal abuse of female judoka, has left the reputation of the All Japan Judo Federation in tatters. 女子選手への暴力問題などで、全日本柔道連盟に対する信頼は地に落ちた。
To rebuild the disgraced judo body, the AJJF has no option other than pushing through drastic organizational reform by overhauling its leadership. 組織を立て直すには人心を一新し、改革を断行するしかあるまい。
But last week, the AJJF decided to allow all of its executives, including Chairman Haruki Uemura, to retain their positions and made no change to the lineup. 全柔連は、上村春樹会長ら執行部の体制を見直さず、全員の留任を決めた。
Doesn't the federation have a culture of taking responsibility for these scandals? We feel disgusted by the AJJF decision that flies in the face of commonly accepted norms. 責任を取る文化はないのか。社会通念に反する全柔連の決定に、呆(あき)れるばかりである。
Before the federation's decision, an independent panel tasked with looking into the abuse submitted on March 12 a set of reform proposals to the AJJF. The proposals pointed sternly to problems with the federation as an organization. The panel noted the federation has a dearth of human resources that "can stand for socially accepted common sense, not the common sense that works only in the judo world." これに先立ち、暴力問題を検証した第三者委員会が、全柔連に答申を提出した。「柔道界の常識ではなく、世間一般の常識を体現できる人材が不足している」などと、全柔連の組織としての問題点を厳しく指摘する内容だった。
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Unable to manage crisis
One committee member, psychiatrist Rika Kayama, quite rightly had a brickbat for the AJJF decision, saying her panel had worked out its recommendations after concluding the federation "wasn't functioning as an organization." Kayama added, "Disciplinary measures should be taken against AJJF executives, including Chairman Uemura." 執行部の留任に、第三者委のメンバーだった精神科医の香山リカさんが「（答申では）組織として機能していない、とまとめた。会長も含めて処分を検討すべきだ」と批判したのも当然だ。
The federation, which was aware of the physical and verbal abuse dished out by the coach of the national women's judo team, who eventually resigned, decided at one time to keep him in his position. Driven by a sense of distrust, 15 female national team judoka filed a complaint with the Japanese Olympic Committee against the AJJF. 全柔連は、辞任した全日本女子前監督の暴力行為を把握しながら、いったんは前監督の続投を決めた。不信感を強めた１５人の女子選手は、日本オリンピック委員会（ＪＯＣ）への告発に至った。
The federation remains oblivious to the gravity of its problems, and has been unable to take proper steps to deal with the situation. It is obvious the federation badly lacks crisis management capability. 問題の重大性を認識できず、適切な対策も講じられない。全柔連に危機管理能力が欠如しているのは明らかである。
Noriko Mizoguchi, a silver medalist in the women's 52-kilogram judo division at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, said the federation "has a strong tendency to concentrate power in a handful of executives, making it hard for others to oppose [their decisions]." バルセロナ五輪の５２キロ級銀メダリスト溝口紀子さんは、全柔連について「一握りの幹部に権力が集中しがちで、『違う』ともの申すことができにくい」と語る。
As long as the "handful of executives" remains unchanged, there is virtually no hope for an organizational transformation of the AJJF. この「一握りの幹部」が交代しない限り、組織の変革は望めないだろう。
Uemura said the federation "will address the challenges by working as one." However, a revamp of its leadership must be the first step toward reforming the federation. 上村会長は「一丸となって取り組む」と語るが、執行部の一新こそ改革への第一歩だ。
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Irregular use of subsidies
The independent panel also called for the AJJF to appoint executives from outside and introduce a system to adopt female executives and coaches. The federation should ensure these proposals are translated into action to get rid of its closed nature and be transformed into an organization in which everyone can candidly exchange their views. 第三者委は、執行部に外部のメンバーを入れることや、女性理事、女性監督の起用も求めた。閉鎖体質から脱却し、風通しのよい組織に変わるには、ぜひとも実現する必要があるだろう。
Another scandal also surfaced in the AJJF: A portion of subsidies the government-backed Japan Sports Council paid to members of a federation committee for supporting promising athletes was allegedly funneled to federation executives for winning and dining for themselves and others. 全柔連では新たな問題も明るみに出た。日本スポーツ振興センターから強化委員に支払われた助成金の一部を強化委員会に上納させ、飲食や接待に使っていた。
The disbursements were not recorded, and no receipts were kept. About 20 million yen was reportedly pooled for such usage. 帳簿や領収書は残されておらず、プール金の残高は約２０００万円にも上るという。
Furthermore, an AJJF executive in charge of the committee for supporting promising judoka has acknowledged that he wrongly received subsidies from the council despite having no involvement in training the athletes, with part of the cash diverted to the AJJF leadership. さらに、強化委員を務める理事は、指導実態が全くないのに助成金を不正受給し、その一部を上納していたことを認めている。
The judo federation is an incorporated foundation for the public interest that receives preferential tax treatment. Such opaque financial management at the federation is unforgivable. 全柔連は税制上の優遇措置を受ける公益財団法人だ。不透明な金銭管理は許されない。
It is also crucial that the AJJF get to the bottom of these problems so it can regain the public's trust. 信頼回復には、これらの問題の徹底解明も重要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 24, 2013) （2013年3月24日01時20分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 24, 2013) Prevent disarray in Cyprus from reigniting European crisis キプロス混迷 欧州危機の再燃回避が急務だ（3月23日付・読売社説）
The financial crisis in Cyprus, a small island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, has begun to rattle the global economy. 地中海の小国キプロスの金融危機が、世界を揺るがし始めた。
The European Union should play a leading role in resolving the disarray and preventing it from affecting the economies of the rest of Europe and Japan. 欧州連合（ＥＵ）の主導で混乱を収拾させ、欧州全体や日本経済などへの波及を食い止めるべきだ。
The Cypriot government decided on a plan to restructure the nation's second-largest bank, which has fallen into financial difficulty. This is apparently a last-ditch measure to prevent the chaotic breakdown of the country's banking sector for the time being and secure financial assistance from the European Union. キプロス政府は、経営危機に陥った国内第２位の大手銀行を整理・再編する方針を決めた。無秩序な破綻をひとまず回避し、ＥＵからの金融支援を取り付けるための窮余の策と言えよう。
The financial crisis in Cyprus, a member of the EU and the eurozone, was triggered by Greece's financial collapse. ＥＵ加盟国で通貨ユーロを導入しているキプロスの危機の発端はギリシャ財政破綻だった。
Nonperforming loans have damaged the financial condition of Cypriot banks that owned a huge amount of Greek government bonds, but the Cypriot government lacks the fiscal strength to extend public support to them. This has led to stagnation in the Cypriot model of prosperity, in which the banking sector attracted enormous funds from Russia and other investors around the world. ギリシャ国債を大量保有するキプロスの銀行が不良債権を抱えて経営が悪化したが、政府には公的支援を行う財政力がない。ロシアなど国外の預金者から巨額資金を集めていた「金融立国」モデルが行き詰まったことを示す。
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Tax-on-deposits plan rejected
At Cyprus' request, the EU decided with the International Monetary Bank to extend 10 billion euros (1.2 trillion yen) in assistance. As a condition for the bailout, they demanded Nicosia levy a tax on bank deposits, but that led directly to the current disarray. キプロスからの要請を受け、ＥＵは国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）とともに最大１００億ユーロ（約１兆２０００億円）の支援を決めた。 その条件としてＥＵが求めた銀行預金への課税案が、事態を混乱させる直接の要因になった。
Outraged with the envisioned taxation Cypriots rushed to banks to withdraw money, further fueling the chaos. A government bill aimed at gaining public support by excluding smaller accounts from the taxation was rejected by parliament, which was thinking of public opinion. 課税を嫌がる国民がＥＵの提案に反発し、預金引き出しに走るなど、騒ぎが拡大した。 少額預金については課税対象外とし、国民の理解を得ようとした政府の法案も、世論を意識した議会で否決された。
If this situation continues, Cyprus will not be able to meet the conditions demanded by the EU and the bailout will not be implemented. Some observers have expressed concern that Cyprus may default on its debts. このままではＥＵの条件をクリアできず、支援策は宙に浮く。債務不履行（デフォルト）を警戒する見方すらくすぶる。
The Cypriot government presented its plan to restructure the second-largest bank because it was forced to present an alternative to the tax on bank deposits. Nicosia must have realized the merits of restructuring the troubled bank, since it would cost less pubic money than keeping the bank open and bailing it out. キプロス政府が大手銀行を整理する方針を示したのは、預金課税の代替案を迫られた結果だ。問題銀行を存続させて救済するよりも公的資金が少なくて済むメリットに着目したのだろう。
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German position key
However, it is still too early to tell whether assistance will be extended quickly. One key to determining that lies with Germany, which demands that Cyprus achieve strict fiscal discipline. Nicosia must work out more details of its measures to stabilize its banking sector, in order to convince Germany and other EU members. だが、支援が速やかに実現するかどうか、先行きは不透明だ。最大のカギは、厳しい財政規律を求めるドイツが握る。キプロスはドイツなどを納得させる銀行安定策をさらに詰めねばなるまい。
The role of Russia, which has close ties with Cyprus, is also important. We hope Moscow will work with the EU. キプロスとの関係が深いロシアの役割も重要だ。ＥＵと連携を図ってもらいたい。
The biggest fear is that the Cypriot crisis will spill over to other countries such as Spain and Italy, reigniting the European crisis that is currently calming down. 最も懸念されるのは、キプロス危機がスペインやイタリアなどに飛び火し、沈静化しつつあった欧州危機を再燃させる事態だ。
In the foreign exchange market, the euro continues to be weak while the yen tends to be bought. Wild fluctuations in stock prices have also been seen in markets around the world. 外国為替市場では、ユーロが弱含みで推移し、円が買われやすい展開が続く。世界各地で株価の乱高下も目立っている。
There should be careful monitoring of whether the disarray in Cyprus indirectly hinders Abenomics, the economic policy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to revitalize Japan's economy. キプロス混迷が回り回って、経済再生を目指す安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」に冷や水を浴びせないか。要警戒である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 23, 2013) （2013年3月23日01時45分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 23, 2013) Israel must closely cooperate with U.S. over Iranian N-issue イスラエル政権 イラン核問題で米と連携を（3月22日付・読売社説）
At their latest summit meeting, top U.S. and Israeli leaders stressed cooperation--demonstrating a recovery in bilateral relations, which have recently been stressed by differences over issues such as Iran's nuclear development and the Palestinian peace process. 米国とイスラエルが首脳会談で協調態勢をアピールした。イラン核問題や対パレスチナ和平を巡ってぎくしゃくしていた関係の修復を、印象づけたと言える。
It is important that the two countries utilize their renewed relations to stabilize the Middle East. これを中東地域の安定につなげていくことが重要だ。
After Israel's general election in January, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally launched a coalition administration. U.S. President Barack Obama was the first foreign leader to be welcomed by the administration. １月の総選挙を受け、ようやく連立政権発足にこぎつけたネタニヤフ首相は、オバマ米大統領を最初の外国首脳として迎えた。
Regarding the Iranian nuclear issue, a major focus of the summit talks, Netanyahu acknowledged during a joint press conference with Obama that it would take one year for Iran to produce a nuclear weapon, even if it decided to go nuclear. Meanwhile, Obama emphasized, "We prefer to resolve this diplomatically, and there's still time to do so." 焦点のイラン核問題では、首脳会談後の共同記者会見で、首相は、イランが核兵器製造を決断しても完成まで約１年かかるという認識を示し、大統領も「外交的解決の時間はまだある」と強調した。
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Diplomatic solution first
We can conclude that both countries have agreed to fully engage diplomatically to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons. 両国は、イランの核保有阻止を目指し、外交的手段を尽くすことで一致したと言える。
Last September, Netanyahu warned global leaders that it was within the realm of possibility that Iran had enough highly enriched uranium to produce its first nuclear weapon by as early as this spring. He has also indicated that Israel may unilaterally attack Iran if the international community cannot stop the nation from possessing a nuclear weapon. 首相は昨年９月、イランが今年春にも、核兵器を作るのに十分な量の高濃縮ウランを保有する恐れがあると警告した。国際社会が阻止できねば、単独でのイラン攻撃も辞さない構えを見せていた。
But as Netanyahu has reached a compromise with Obama at the latest summit talks, a situation in which Israel takes military action against Iran is unlikely for the time being. 今回、米国に歩み寄ったことで、イスラエルが軍事行動に出る事態は当面、遠のいた。
Should Israel attack Iran, the effects of the war would undoubtedly spill over into other areas. For instance, crude oil prices would skyrocket, adversely affecting the global economy. It is for this and other reasons that Israel must refrain from using force. イスラエルがイランを攻撃すれば、戦火は拡大し、原油価格の高騰で世界経済も揺らぎかねない。武力行使は自制すべきだ。
Obama pledged that the United States would support Israel in matters of security. In a show of his country's intent to keep its promise, Obama inspected Israel's "Iron Dome," a mobile all-weather air defense system that the United States helped to develop. 大統領は、米国が安全保障面でイスラエルを支えると確約した。米国が支援した対空防衛システム「アイアン・ドーム」を視察したのも、示威効果が狙いだろう。
The security situation around Israel has been increasing in severity. Its neighbor Syria has descended into civil war, and in Egypt, where Islamists have taken the reins of government, the economy and politics have been thrown into chaos. The circumstances surrounding the region are increasingly unclear. In such an environment, Israel needed to restore a cooperative relationship with the United States. イスラエルの安保環境は厳しさを増している。隣国シリア内戦の泥沼化や、イスラム主義勢力が権力を握ったエジプトの政治・経済の混迷など、地域情勢は不透明感を強めている。イスラエルには、対米関係修復が必要だった。
During the joint press conference, Netanyahu also confirmed Israel remains fully committed to the "two states for two peoples" solution to the Palestinian issue, an initiative promoting the coexistence of two states. 首相は、共同記者会見でイスラエルとパレスチナの「２国家共存」構想への支持も確認した。
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Weak administrative foundation
However, the growing number of Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and a split in the Palestinian leadership have made reopening peace negotiations difficult. As a result, the process for establishing a Palestinian state is still nowhere in sight. しかし、イスラエルの占領地ヨルダン川西岸での入植拡大や、パレスチナ指導部の分裂によって、パレスチナとの和平交渉が再開するめどは立たず、パレスチナ国家樹立への道筋は見えない。
Netanyahu's administrative foundation is now weaker than it was before the election. His attempts to garner support with a hard-line stance against Iran have ended in failure. ネタニヤフ首相の政権基盤は、総選挙前より弱まった。対イラン強硬姿勢で支持を広げようという試みは失敗に終わった。
After the election, the prime minister tried to establish a broad coalition administration. However, a religious party that once had been a former coalition partner decided to become part of the opposition, and Netanyahu's Likud party only succeeded in winning over middle-of-the-road and rightist parties. The stability of the new administration remains questionable. 選挙後、首相は幅広い連立を試みたが、従来の連立相手だった宗教政党は離反し、中道勢力と強硬右派を取り込むにとどまり、政権の安定度には不安が残る。
Close cooperation with the United States is indispensable to maintain the Netanyahu government, and preserving its cooperation with the United States over the Iranian nuclear issue is an important pillar of that policy. 米国との緊密な協力は、政権維持に不可欠だ。イラン核問題での連携維持は、重要な柱である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 22, 2013) （2013年3月22日01時11分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 22, 2013) Abe aims to boost the power of 'Cool Japan' cultural exports クール・ジャパン 官民が連携して魅力の発信を（3月21日付・読売社説）
Japanese music, anime, fashion and food are in the global spotlight, a trend called the "Cool Japan" boom. クール・ジャパン（かっこいい日本）として、日本の音楽、アニメ、ファッション、食文化などは海外で人気が高い。
We believe this trend should be boosted to stimulate the nation's economic growth. 日本経済の成長に弾みをつけるため、さらにテコ入れすべきだ。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has ordered Tomomi Inada, state minister for administrative reforms, to also serve as the nation's first Cool Japan strategy minister. Abe has also launched an expert panel aimed at promoting the government's Cool Japan campaign. These moves reflect the prime minister's intention to make the Cool Japan initiative part of the government's growth strategy. 安倍首相は、稲田行政改革相に初のクール・ジャパン戦略相を兼務させ、有識者による推進会議も発足させた。成長戦略の一つに位置付けようとしている。
We believe the government's policy of promoting businesses related to Cool Japan culture to a level Japan can be proud of is worth pursuing. 政府の「クール・ジャパンを世界に誇るビジネスに」という方針は妥当と言える。
The cornerstone of the Cool Japan initiative is the content industry, which produces movies, anime and video games. The size of the industry's domestic market is about 12 trillion yen. 核となる映画やアニメ、ゲームなどコンテンツ産業の国内市場規模は１２兆円に上る。
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Future depends on global market
However, as the nation's population has begun to shrink, the future of Japan's content industry will taper off if it depends only on the domestic market. If the industry seeks further growth, it needs to aggressively advance overseas, and find new business opportunities there. だが、人口減社会の到来で、国内だけでは先細りとなるだろう。さらなる成長を図るなら、海外へ積極的に展開し、ビジネスチャンスを獲得していく必要がある。
The size of the content industry's global market is about 130 trillion yen. It is expected to grow at an annual average rate of 6 percent. コンテンツ産業の世界全体の市場規模は約１３０兆円だ。今後も年平均６％程度の成長を続けていくという。
One idea is to increase exports of domestic movies. Last year's export sales of domestic movies came to about 5 billion yen, less than 5 percent of domestic box-office revenues that year. 例えば、日本映画をもっと輸出できないか。昨年の邦画の輸出実績は約５０億円で、国内興行収入の５％にも満たなかった。
Export sales of domestic TV programs were 6.3 billion yen in 2010, lagging far behind the figure for South Korea, where the government strongly backs TV program exports. テレビ番組の輸出額も６３億円（２０１０年）で、政府が後押しする韓国よりも大幅に少ない。
Japan's manga and anime are highly appreciated in the world. The government needs to draw up a strategy to exploit their full potential. 日本の漫画やアニメは世界的にも高い評価を受けている。その潜在力を生かす戦略が必要だ。
A noteworthy effort that began in India last year is a TV remake of the popular Japanese anime "Kyojin no Hoshi" (Star of the Giants). その点で、インドで昨年末に始まったアニメ「巨人の星」のリメーク版のテレビ放送は、新たな試みとして注目に値する。
The anime TV series was jointly produced by Japanese and Indian firms. Instead of playing baseball, the hero of the TV series devotes himself to cricket, India's national sport. 日印共同制作で、ヒーローが打ち込むスポーツを野球からインドの国民的球技クリケットに置き換えて描いている。
Japanese companies sponsoring the series have enjoyed product placement for goods such as cars and stationery in the show. We believe the remade anime will also help viewers deepen their understanding of Japan's high-growth period. 作品の随所で、自動車や文房具など協賛の日本企業の製品もアピールしている。原作の背景となった高度成長期の日本への理解も深まることだろう。
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Successful examples important
Yasushi Akimoto, general producer of girl group AKB48, has made thought-provoking remarks on the subject. "To prevent the Cool Japan campaign from ending up as a hollow image, it is important to produce successful examples," he said. Akimoto serves as a member of the government's expert panel on promoting the Cool Japan Initiative. 政府の推進会議のメンバーの一人、ＡＫＢ４８のプロデューサーの秋元康氏が「クール・ジャパンを“絵に描いた餅”としないためにも、成功例を作ることが大切だ」と語るのはもっともだ。
The government should utilize various ideas generated by the private sector and proactively disseminate parts of Japanese culture that could win the hearts of the world. 民間の様々なアイデアを生かし、魅力ある日本文化を積極的に発信していくべきだ。
The government has earmarked 50 billion yen in the fiscal 2013 budget to establish a fund aimed at promoting the Cool Japan campaign. We urge the government to do its utmost to provide effective financial support and publicity. 政府は来年度予算案に、クール・ジャパン推進のための基金創設として５００億円を計上した。効率的な資金支援、情報発信に知恵を絞る必要がある。
It is important for the government and the private sector to join hands to devise a strategy on promoting the Cool Japan campaign. We hope such a strategy will be smoothly put on track. クール・ジャパンの振興に、官民連携して取り組む戦略をうまく軌道に乗せたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 21, 2013) （2013年3月21日01時28分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 20, 2013) Preparing for disasters of the largest scale 南海トラフ地震 最大級の危機にどう備えるか（3月19日付・読売社説）
A working group of the government's Central Disaster Management Council has compiled a report on the expected damage that would be caused by a magnitude-9 Nankai Trough triple earthquake, in which the so-called Tokai, Tonankai and Nankai quakes happen simultaneously. 東海、東南海、南海地震などが同時に起きるマグニチュード（Ｍ）９級の南海トラフ巨大地震について、政府の中央防災会議作業部会が被害予測の全体像をまとめた。
The huge quake is forecast to cause about 220 trillion yen in economic damage, in the worst-case scenario. 経済的被害は最悪の場合、約２２０兆円に上る。
The quake and subsequent tsunami is forecast to cause about 170 trillion yen of damage to homes and office buildings, about 10 times the damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. このうち、地震や津波で建物などが壊れる直接の被害だけで、最大約１７０兆円に達する。東日本大震災の約１０倍に相当する額だ。
The public and private sectors will need to cooperate and boost the nation's preparedness for such a massive disaster. 官民が連携し、備えを強化せねばならない。
The prediction was made on the assumption that densely populated areas and key industrial bases from the Tokyo metropolitan area along to the Chubu, Kansai, Shikoku and Kyushu regions would be rocked violently by the quake, followed by tsunami higher than 30 meters in some areas. 首都圏から中部、関西圏と四国、九州までの人口密集地や産業拠点を激しい揺れと最大３０メートル超の津波が襲う、との想定である。
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Once in 1,000 years
Last summer, the working group released a prediction that up to about 320,000 people would die in Tokyo, Osaka and 28 other prefectures following the Nankai Trough triple earthquake. The latest report focused on likely economic damage. 作業部会は昨年夏、３０都府県で最大約３２万人が死亡するとの予測を公表した。それに今回は経済被害などを加えた。
The group forecast the total value of corporate production of goods and services--the core of Japan's economic activity--would decline by as much as about 45 trillion yen, nearly 10 percent of gross domestic product, in the year following the disaster, due to suspended production at destroyed factories and other factors. 経済活動の核である生産・サービスの総額は、工場倒壊による生産休止などにより、被災後１年間で約４５兆円も落ち込む。国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１割近い。
The group said such a quake occurs "at a frequency of less than once every 1,000 years," emphasizing that such a disaster would be extremely rare. 作業部会は「１０００年に１度以下の頻度でしか起きない」と説明し、極めてまれな災害であることを強調している。
Although there is no need to worry excessively about such a megaquake, the devastating quake that struck off the Tohoku coast on March 11, 2011, also was an event expected to occur once every 1,000 years. Complacency is not an option. 過度に不安を抱く必要はないが、東日本大震災も１０００年に１度の地震だった。油断は禁物である。
The important thing is to put in place as many "disaster mitigation" preparations as possible. The central government and local municipalities likely to be affected by the disaster should review their disaster-management processes based on the latest estimate. 大切なのは、「減災」へ向け可能な限り対策を講じることだ。今回の被害予測を踏まえ、政府や関係自治体は、防災対策を総点検する必要がある。
According to the group's calculation, making buildings more quake-resistant could halve the economic damage wrought by the disaster. The group also said quick evacuations could reduce tsunami deaths by 90 percent. 作業部会の試算によると、建物の耐震化などで経済被害は半減できるという。津波による犠牲者も、早期避難で９割減る。
The central and local governments have already been making such efforts. いずれも、政府、自治体が、すでに取り組んできた対策だ。
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Take basic steps first
The important thing is to, first of all, take basic steps such as accelerating the repair of buildings that lack quake-resistance and securing evacuation facilities and tsunami escape routes. 耐震性を欠く建物の改修を加速させる。津波に備えた避難ルートや避難ビルを整備する。まずは、こうした基本的対策が重要だ。
It is also essential to reinforce networks of trunk roads, harbors and airports to enable immediate rescue and relief operations and reduce damage to the economy. 迅速な救助・救援を可能にし、経済への影響を軽減するためには、幹線道路や港湾、空港など交通網の強化も欠かせない。
When the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito were in the opposition camp last year, they submitted to the Diet a bill concerning special measures to deal with the potential Nankai Trough triple quake. The bill would provide more government subsidies for making disaster management facilities more quake-resistant. However, the bill was abandoned with the dissolution of the House of Representatives. 自民、公明両党は野党時代の昨年、補助金で防災施設の耐震化を促進する南海トラフ巨大地震対策特別措置法案を国会に提出したが、衆院解散で廃案となった。
The bill would reinforce the present special measures law that promotes steps to deal with the Tonankai and Nankai quakes. The LDP and Komeito are considering resubmitting the bill. We hope the bill will be thoroughly discussed in the Diet. 現行の東南海・南海地震対策推進特措法を強化する内容で、両党は再提出を検討している。国会でしっかり議論してもらいたい。
Aside from the Nankai Trough quake, the government has predicted a separate Tokai quake has an 88 percent chance of occurring in the next 30 years, while a Tonankai quake has a 70 percent chance and the Nankai quake a 60 percent chance. 南海トラフ巨大地震とは別に、政府は、東海、東南海、南海の各地震が今後３０年以内にそれぞれ、８８％、７０％、６０％の高い確率で起きると予測している。
There is no time to waste in getting prepared to handle these disasters. 対策は待ったなしである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 19, 2013) （2013年3月19日01時19分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 20, 2013) Iraq War anniversary a chance to reflect on North Korea's threat イラク戦争１０年 「北」の脅威対処に教訓生かせ（3月19日付・読売社説）
Wednesday marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the controversial Iraq War. There are problems still left unsolved, and Japan today has a particular reason to calmly reassess the lessons of the war. 論議を呼んだイラク戦争の開戦から、２０日で１０年を迎える。今、改めてこの戦争が残した課題を冷静に分析することが、日本にとってはとりわけ重要である。
The Iraq War began under the administration of former U.S. President George W. Bush, and it ended in December 2011 with the full withdrawal of U.S. troops. 米国のブッシュ前政権が始めたイラク戦争は、２０１１年１２月、米軍の全面撤収で終結した。
The war taught the United States a bitter lesson. U.S. rule of the occupied land was blundering, the lives of nearly 4,500 U.S. soldiers were lost, and huge expenditures on the war ballooned the nation's fiscal deficit. The United States launched the war based on a claim that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, but such weapons were never found, undermining the U.S. authority. 戦争は、苦い教訓を米国に残した。占領統治は混乱し、４５００人近い米兵の命が失われ、巨額の戦費で財政赤字は膨れあがった。開戦の理由とした大量破壊兵器が見つからず、威信は揺らいだ。
There is ceaseless criticism that the costs of the war were out of all proportion to its gains. 「コストに見合わない戦争だった」との批判は絶えない。
In addition, the international community was unable to reach an agreement on the issue, as countries such as France, Germany and Russia opposed the use of force by the United States and Britain. The final verdict on the Iraq War will not be rendered anytime soon. 国際社会の足並みも乱れた。米英の武力行使に、仏独露などが反対した。イラク戦争への評価は、今なお定まらない。
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A question remains unanswered
However, we must keep in mind that one fundamental problem that drove the United States to launch the war remains unsolved. 留意すべきは、米国が開戦に至った本質的な問題が今も未解決だということである。
The problem is this: What actions should the international community take, if a country that develops weapons of mass destruction, such as nuclear weapons, ignores U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding that it scrap such weapons? 核兵器など大量破壊兵器を開発する国が、国連安全保障理事会から廃棄を求める決議を突きつけられても無視する。そんな事態にどう対処すべきかという問題だ。
A case in point now is North Korea, a nation hell-bent on building a nuclear arsenal. The nation has conducted three nuclear tests, ignoring the Security Council's resolutions. 安保理決議に従わず、核実験を３回も強行し、核武装化にひた走る北朝鮮がまさに実例だ。
In addition to the direct threat posed by North Korea, Japan also has to cope with the unabated military and economic expansion of China. 日本は、北朝鮮の増大する脅威に直面するだけでなく、軍事・経済の両面で膨張著しい中国とも向き合わなければならない。
Japan was divided over the U.S. decision to launch the Iraq War. Then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi supported the use of force from the standpoint of prioritizing the Japan-U.S. alliance, but the Democratic Party of Japan and other opposition parties opposed the war, saying it had no justification. 対イラク開戦を巡り、小泉首相が日米同盟重視の観点から、米国の武力行使を支持する一方で、民主党など野党は「大義なき戦争だ」と反対に回り、国論は割れた。
However, the necessity for Japan to firmly maintain its alliance with the United States remains unchanged over the past 10 years, or has even become stronger. だが、日本が、米国との同盟を堅持する必要性は１０年前から少しも変わっていない。むしろ強まったと言える。
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What Japan needs to do
The United States and Britain overestimated the danger of Iraq's programs on weapons of mass destruction. But it will be dangerous if the aftereffects of that overestimate led the international community to underestimate the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea. If the United States becomes overly reluctant to use force against North Korea, there will be fewer options for responding to Pyongyang's threat. イラクの大量破壊兵器計画を米英が過大に評価した反動で、国際社会が北朝鮮やイランの核開発能力を過小に見積もるようでは危険だ。米国が武力行使に慎重になり過ぎれば、北朝鮮の脅威に対処する選択肢を狭める恐れがある。
Our nation must not be complacent regarding its current relationship with the United States. Japan must take concrete measures to reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance, such as enabling itself to exercise the right to collective self-defense. 日本に必要なのは、米国との関係に安住せず、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にするなど同盟強化へ具体的な手立てを講じることだ。
Iraq's democratization is making progress, as can be seen from events such as its conducting elections. Oil production is recovering, bringing prosperity to the nation's oil-producing northern and southern areas. Such results would have been difficult to achieve under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. イラクでは、選挙実施など民主化が進み、原油生産も回復して産油地の北部や南部は繁栄に沸いている。フセイン独裁政権の崩壊なしには難しかったろう。
However, Iraq's political situation remains unstable. Sectarian strife and terrorist attacks show no signs of abating in Baghdad and other key cities. Despite myriad problems, the administration of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is slowly heading toward reconstruction of the country. We hope Iraq will succeed in restoring security, which will help it set a steady course toward reconstruction. ただし、政情は不安で、首都バグダッドなどでは宗派間の抗争や過激派のテロがやまない。マリキ政権は曲がりなりに再建への歩みを続けているが、治安回復で復興への道筋を確かにしてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 19, 2013) （2013年3月19日01時19分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 19, 2013) Pay hikes for govt employees 55 or older must be curbed 国家公務員給与 ５５歳超の昇給抑制が必要だ（3月18日付・読売社説）
Another step forward has been made in resolving issues put off by the previous Democratic Party of Japan-led administration. 民主党政権が先送りしてきた課題の解決へ、また一歩進んだ。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet has submitted a bill to the Diet to revise a law to drastically curb the pay hikes of central government employees aged 55 or older. 安倍内閣が５５歳を超える国家公務員の昇給を大幅に抑制する給与法改正案を国会に提出した。
If the revised law is enacted, the new salary system will be put into force next January. About 33,000 people will be affected and the government's personnel expenses trimmed by an estimated 600 million yen a year. 成立すれば、来年１月から施行され、３万３０００人が対象となる。年間約６億円の人件費を削減する効果があるという。
The bill takes into account recommendations made by the National Personnel Authority in August. 給与法改正案は昨年８月の人事院勧告を尊重したものである。
Under the current system, salaries of central government employees rise every year until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 60. 国家公務員は、定年の６０歳まで毎年昇給が続く仕組みだ。
The recommendation calls for annual pay hikes to be discontinued for those aged 55 or older and whose job performances are deemed average, while pay hikes would be permitted for those in the same age group with excellent job performances, although the margin of increase would be held down. この勧告は、５５歳を超える職員に対し、標準の勤務成績であれば昇給を停止し、成績良好であっても昇給幅の抑制を求めた。
The salaries of many workers in the private sector decline when they reach the mid-50s. 民間のサラリーマンは、５０歳代後半になると、賃金が減るケースさえ少なくない。
This is because companies transfer workers in that age group to affiliated companies or have a mandatory age for managers to step down from their posts. It is therefore appropriate to have the salaries of government employees fall more in line with those at private companies. 関連会社への転籍や役職定年などを実施しているからだ。公務員給与を民間の動向に近づけるのは、妥当である。
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Rehiring workers
Continued employment of workers who reach the manadatory retirement age of 60 should also be considered as they will not receive benefits from the state-run pension plan until they reach the age of 65. ６５歳の年金支給開始年齢までの雇用継続も考える必要がある。
The government plans to make it obligatory to rehire employees who reach the mandatory retirement age and are willing to continue working. However, the fiscal situation remains dismal. 政府は、希望する定年退職者の「再任用」を義務化する方針だが、財政は厳しい。
To reduce personnel expenses as much as possible, it is essential to hold down the salaries for those in their 50s. 総人件費を極力抑えるためにも、５０歳代の給与水準を下げておかねばならない。
Both the ruling and opposition parties must pass the revised bill as quickly as possible. 与野党は、改正案を速やかに成立させるべきだ。
The DPJ is to blame for wasting so much time before the bill could be submitted. 法案提出まで時間を浪費した責任は民主党にある。
The Cabinet under then Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda failed to act on the authority's recommendation for three months, deciding only to postpone the recommended restrictions on the annual pay hike on Nov. 16, the day he dissolved the House of Representatives. 野田内閣は人事院勧告を３か月も放置し、１１月１６日の衆院解散当日になって昇給抑制の先送りを閣議決定した。
In announcing the decision, Noda said the government had already taken "a harsh pay-cutting measure" by lowering government employees' salaries by 7.8 percent on average, so it could use the saved funds for post-disaster reconstruction. その際、復興財源を捻出する目的で給与を平均７・８％引き下げる「厳しい減額措置」を講じているため、と説明していた。
However, the real reason is that the government submitted to the Diet a bill related to reforming the national public employees system, which we think stopped the administration from dealing with the recommended curbs. だが、実際は国家公務員制度改革関連法案を国会に提出していたことが、足かせとなったのではないか。
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Working with unions
The main feature of the new bill gives central government employees the right to conclude an agreement with the government, a basic legal labor right. この法案は、労働基本権の一部である「協約締結権」を国家公務員に付与することが柱だった。
The bill includes the idea that issues such as pay levels can be decided through labor-management talks, and the National Personnel Authority can be abolished. Because of this, the Noda administration probably decided to ignore the authority's recommendations. 人事院を廃止し、労使交渉で賃金などを決定できるようにする内容であるだけに、勧告には従えないと考えたのだろう。
How will the DPJ deal with the bill to revise the salaries of central government employees in the days ahead? 今後、民主党は給与法改正案にどう対応するのか。
The bill is in line with the DPJ's manifesto when it comes to cutting the central government's personnel expenses. As it will also affect the wages of local government employees, however, it will be difficult for DPJ legislators supported by the All Japan Prefectural and Municipal Workers' Union and other labor groups to support the bill. 国家公務員の総人件費削減という点では民主党の政権公約とも一致するが、地方公務員にも波及するため、自治労など労働組合の支援を受ける議員は容易に受け入れまい。
The Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Rengo), a key support organization for the DPJ, has opposed the Abe Cabinet's request for the salaries of local government employees to be lowered, in line with those of central government employees, in fiscal 2013. 民主党の支持団体である連合は、安倍内閣が２０１３年度の地方公務員給与を国家公務員と同様に引き下げるよう地方自治体に要請したことにも反発している。
The DPJ's dependency on labor unions will be tested once again over how the party responds to the bill to revise the salaries of central government employees. 給与法改正案への賛否によって、民主党の“労組依存度”が改めて試されることになろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 18, 2013) （2013年3月18日01時29分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 18, 2013) Guardian system must not interfere with right to vote 後見と選挙権 違憲判決が制度の甘さ突いた（3月17日付・読売社説）
The Tokyo District Court has ruled unconstitutional a provision in the Public Offices Election Law that denies the right to vote to adults who live under the statutory adult guardianship system. 成年後見人が付いた人から選挙権を奪う公職選挙法の規定について、東京地裁が「違憲」とする判決を言い渡した。
The court ruling highly evaluates the rights of people with mental disorders or intellectual disabilities. 障害者の権利を尊重した司法判断である。
The plaintiff in the suit was an intellectually challenged woman. 原告は知的障害のある女性だ。
Immediately after a family court chose the father of the adult woman as her guardian in 2007, she was deprived of the right to vote. ２００７年、家庭裁判所が女性の成年後見人として父親を選任した途端、選挙権を失った。
The adult guardianship system is designed to allow those who are considered incapable of making judgments to have someone act on their behalf to manage property, make contracts and carry out other procedures. 判断能力が欠如した人の財産管理や契約などを代行するのが、成年後見制度だ。
The Public Offices Election Law does not allow people to whom this system applies the right to vote in national and local elections. 公選法は、この制度が適用された人については、選挙権を認めていない。
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Unjustifiable denial
The court decision on Thursday acknowledged that the woman had the right to vote on the grounds that depriving her of this right as guaranteed by the Constitution "must be limited to extremely exceptional circumstances." 判決は、憲法が保障する選挙権を奪うのは「極めて例外的な場合に限られる」として、女性に選挙権があることを認めた。
The ruling also noted: "What the family court decided concerned her ability to administer her property by herself, and not her competency in exercising her right to vote. さらに、「家裁が判断したのは財産を管理する能力であって、選挙権を行使する能力ではない。
"A large number of people probably are capable of exercising their right to vote even if they are unable to manage their assets." 財産管理はできなくとも、選挙権を行使できる人は少なからずいるはずだ」とも指摘した。
It is not surprising that the court ruled the law's provision null and void, as it uniformly restricts voting rights by using two systems intended to serve different purposes. 判決が、趣旨の異なる制度を使って、一律に選挙権を制限している公選法の規定を無効としたことは妥当である。
Denying disabled people the right to vote merely because they have been placed under the adult guardianship system should also be deemed problematic from the viewpoint of ensuring public equity. 同じ障害者でも、後見人が付いた人だけが選挙権を失うのは、公平性の観点からも問題があるだろう。
Before being deprived of her right to vote, the plaintiff voted in almost all elections. In addition, she is able to read and write simple kanji characters. The district court probably gave a great deal of thought to these facts in handing down the ruling. 選挙権を失うまで、女性はほぼ毎回、投票所に足を運んでいた。簡単な漢字の読み書きもできる。東京地裁は、そうした事情も重視したのではないか。
The court ruling, however, should not be taken as a blanket denial of restrictions on voting rights in all circumstances. 判決は選挙権制限の必要性を全面的に否定したわけではない。
The ruling said the restrictions on voting rights for people who lack the competence to exercise the right to vote is not unreasonable. 権利を行使する能力がない人への制限について、「合理性を欠くとは言えない」との見解も示した。
While this country uniformly deprives the vote to right to people under the adult guardianship system, the United States and Europe are heading in the opposite direction. だが、後見人が付くと一律に選挙権を失う日本のような制度は、欧米ではなくなりつつある。
Japan's adult guardianship system, which was introduced in 2000, is aimed at protecting the rights of the disabled and the elderly with insufficient capacities to make judgments. そもそも、２０００年に導入された成年後見制度は、判断能力に欠ける障害者や高齢者の権利保護が目的だ。
The system of incompetency that was abolished in 2000 under the civil law also covered those with reckless spending habits, who were excluded from the list of people covered by the adult guardianship system. 従前の禁治産制度は浪費を繰り返す人も対象だったが、成年後見制度では除外した。
In light of this, the Public Offices Election Law's provision to remove the right to vote from people with guardians does not fit in with the spirit of the system. 選挙権を奪う公選法の規定は、制度の趣旨にそぐわない。
There are more than 130,000 adult wards with court-designated guardians across the country. 後見制度の利用者は全国で１３万人以上に上る。
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Applications rising
Because of the rapid graying of society, applications to use the guardianship system number more than 20,000 annually. The court ruling is expected to have various repercussions on how the guardianship system is conducted from now on. 高齢化が進む中、申し立ては年間２万件以上に達している。判決は今後の制度運用に様々な影響を及ぼすだろう。
When the system was introduced, the then Home Affairs Ministry asserted that depriving people with guardians of their right to vote was intended to prevent voting irregularities. 制度導入の際、旧自治省は「不正投票の防止」を理由に、選挙権を奪う規定の存続を強く主張した経緯がある。
Didn't the ministry overestimate the possibility of voting irregularities concerning the exercise, under the guardianship system, of the right to vote, which is the essence of parliamentary democracy? 民主主義の根幹に位置付けられる選挙権の行使に関し、不正投票の可能性を過大に見積もってはいないか。
The court's ruling should be thought of as a warning from the judiciary regarding the slipshod design of the adult guardianship system. 判決は、制度設計の甘さに対する警告である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 17, 2013) （2013年3月17日01時25分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 17, 2013) Govt should push for free trade to boost economy ＴＰＰ参加表明 自由貿易推進で成長に弾みを（3月16日付・読売社説）
◆国家百年の計へ交渉力発揮せよ◆
It is essential for Japan's growth to tap into Asia's economic vigor by expanding the nation's free trade and investment. To that end, Japan's move to join talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact would be a major step forward. 自由貿易と投資を拡大し、アジアの活力を取り込むことが、日本の経済成長に欠かせない。そのための大きな一歩となるだろう。
On Friday, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formally announced Japan's intention to participate in negotiations on the U.S.-led multilateral free trade framework. 安倍首相は、米国主導の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉への参加を正式表明した。
Reaching a national consensus on the matter has been difficult over the past three years, ever since the administration of former Prime Minister Naoto Kan began considering participation. We applaud Abe's political decision on the TPP issue. 菅政権で検討を開始して以来、約３年間、意見集約が難航した。首相の政治決断を評価したい。
"Joining the TPP talks is a farsighted national policy," the prime minister said at a press conference Friday. "If we miss this chance, we will be left behind in global rule-making efforts." 首相は記者会見で、「ＴＰＰ交渉参加は国家百年の計だ。今を逃すと日本は世界のルール作りから取り残される」と指摘した。
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TPP could boost Japan-U.S. ties ◆日米同盟の強化に寄与◆
Currently, 11 countries, including the United States, Australia and Canada, are conducting TPP negotiations, and 29 areas, including tariffs, services and intellectual property, are under discussion. ＴＰＰは米国、豪州、カナダなど１１か国が関税、サービス、知的財産など２９分野で交渉中だ。
Abe stressed: "We'll make full use of our negotiating power to protect what needs protecting and push for what we want. We'll seek the best way to serve national interests." 首相が「交渉力を駆使し、守るべきものは守り、攻められるものは攻める。国益にかなう最善の道を追求する」と強調したのはもっともである。
We approve this stance. Japan, if approved, will be a latecomer to the TPP negotiations and will be in a disadvantageous position, but we hope the government will exert its negotiating power. 遅れて参加する日本は不利な立場だが、「交渉力」を発揮してもらいたい。
Meanwhile, the government has released its estimate on the economic impact of the TPP if the country joins the trade pact. According to the estimate, annual production in the nation's agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors could fall by 3 trillion yen. However, with consumption and exports growing, Japan's real gross domestic product is expected to increase by 3.2 trillion yen overall. 政府は、ＴＰＰ参加による経済効果の試算を公表した。 農林水産業の生産額は３兆円減るものの、消費拡大や輸出増加により、全体で国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）を実質で３・２兆円押し上げるという。
The Abe administration faces a test over whether it can devise a mid- and long-term growth strategy in its "Abenomics" economic policy. It is reasonable to use the TPP to boost the strategy. 安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」では中長期の成長戦略が問われる。そのエンジンとしてＴＰＰを位置づけるのは妥当だ。
Abe also said TPP participation would contribute to ensuring security and stability in the Asia Pacific region. Expectations are high that the creation of a free trade zone centering on Japan and the United States could also strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance. 首相は、ＴＰＰ参加が「安全保障やアジア太平洋地域の安定に寄与する」と語った。日米を軸にした自由貿易圏作りは、日米同盟を強化する効果も期待される。
Japan-U.S. security ties were shaken by poor diplomacy by the government led by the Democratic Party of Japan. Taking advantage of the situation, China, which is pursuing a policy of increasing wealth and military power, has opposed Japan's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands and has repeatedly sent Chinese patrol ships into Japanese waters. Such provocations by Beijing have increased instability in East Asia. 民主党政権の稚拙な外交により日米安保体制は揺らいだ。その間隙を突くように、富国強兵路線を鮮明にする中国が日本の尖閣諸島国有化に反発し、監視船による領海侵犯を繰り返すなど、東アジア情勢を不安定化させている。
To call for a growing China to abide by international rules, it is vital for Japan and the United States to work closely together. 台頭する中国に国際ルールの順守を求めるには、緊密な日米連携が不可欠である。
Abe was able to announce Japan's intention to join TPP talks mainly because he obtained confirmation from U.S. President Barack Obama at their February summit meeting that eliminating all tariffs would not be a precondition for joining the talks. そもそも、首相がＴＰＰ交渉参加を決断できたのは、２月のオバマ米大統領との首脳会談で「聖域なき関税撤廃が前提ではない」と確認したことが大きかった。
In principle, the TPP is premised on tariff elimination, but the summit meeting has made it clear that exceptions could be made for certain items under negotiation. ＴＰＰは関税撤廃が原則だが、交渉次第で例外品目を獲得できることが明確になったからだ。
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What must be protected? ◆国益として何を守るか◆
Abe took an ingenious strategy in coordinating views within the Liberal Democratic Party to make the decision to participate in the TPP talks consistent with the party's campaign pledge in the House of Representatives election last year. The LDP had pledged to oppose joining the TPP talks as long as abolishing tariffs without exception was a precondition. 「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提にする限り、交渉参加に反対」としていた自民党の昨年の衆院選政権公約と矛盾しないように調整を進めた首相の戦略は巧みだった。
While there were arguments for and against the matter, the LDP adopted a resolution accepting Japan's participation in the TPP negotiations, which created an environment for Abe to make a final decision. 賛否両論が出る中、自民党がＴＰＰ交渉参加を容認する決議をまとめたことで、首相が最終的に決断を下す環境が整った。
Among other conditions, the LDP resolution calls on the government to place priority on ensuring five agricultural items--rice, wheat, beef and pork, dairy products and plants for making sweeteners--will be exempt from tariff elimination. The resolution also seeks to maintain Japan's universal health insurance system. 自民党の決議は、コメ、麦、牛肉・豚肉、乳製品、甘味資源作物の農産品の５項目の例外扱いと、国民皆保険制度の維持を最優先で求めたのがポイントだ。
Abe is apparently thinking about joining the TPP talks after confirming the party's solidarity on the matter at the LDP's convention scheduled to be held on Sunday. 首相は、１７日の自民党大会で党内の結束を確認し、交渉に臨む考えだろう。
Obama has announced a goal of completing the TPP negotiations by the end of this year. That leaves very little time as Japan is expected to join the talks around July. オバマ大統領は「交渉の年内妥結」を表明している。日本が実際に交渉に加わるのは７月ごろと見られ、残された時間は少ない。
Abe appointed Akira Amari, minister in charge of economic revitalization, as minister in charge of TPP issues. Serving as the government's point man, Amari must do his utmost to work on formulating trade and investment rules that reflect Japan's national interests. 首相は甘利経済再生相をＴＰＰ相に任命した。甘利氏が政府の司令塔となり、国益を反映した貿易・投資ルール作りに全力で取り組まなければならない。
A hard-fought battle is expected over the process of narrowing down items to be exempt from tariff elimination. 攻防が予想されるのが、関税撤廃の例外品目の絞り込みだ。
In past trade negotiations, Japan has refused to abolish tariffs for about 940 items, which account for about 10 percent of the total, mainly agricultural products such as rice and wheat. 日本はこれまでの通商交渉で、関税分類上、コメ、麦など農産品を中心に、全体の約１割に相当する約９４０品目の関税を一度も撤廃していない。
It remains unclear how many items Japan will be able to keep as exceptions. Each country has items they want treated as exempt, with Canada seeking exceptions for dairy products and Mexico for textiles and shoes. 日本がどれだけ関税撤廃の例外を獲得できるかは不透明だ。カナダは乳製品、メキシコは繊維や靴など、各国とも例外扱いを望む品目がある。
Japan has compromised in prior consultations with the United States and largely agreed, for the time being, to allow the United States to delay eliminating import tariffs it imposes on passenger vehicles and trucks. In return, Japan should win concessions from the United States on agricultural products. 日本は米国との事前協議で譲歩し、米国が乗用車とトラックにかけている輸入関税の撤廃を当面猶予する方向で大筋合意した。日本はその見返りに、米国から農産品で譲歩を引き出すべきだ。
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Strengthening agriculture ◆農業強化策が急務だ◆
It is an urgent task for Japan to strengthen agriculture's competitiveness in preparation for further market liberalization. Apart from participation in the TPP talks, the current situation of Japan's agriculture, where farmers are aging, is already severe. 一層の市場開放に備えた農業の競争力強化が急務である。ＴＰＰ交渉参加とは関係なく、高齢化が進む日本農業の現状は厳しい。
As Abe pointed out that the TPP is a "big opportunity, not an adversity," the government should put efforts into such policies as fostering farmers, and promote "aggressive agriculture." 首相が「ピンチではなく、むしろ大きなチャンス」と指摘したように、政府は担い手農家育成などの政策に注力し「攻めの農業」を推進することが求められる。
Japan will soon agree to begin negotiations for an economic partnership agreement with the European Union and also is scheduled to begin talks for a trilateral free trade agreement with China and South Korea. 日本は近く、欧州連合（ＥＵ）との経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）交渉開始に合意し、日中韓の交渉もスタートさせる予定だ。
Japan should switch to the offensive on the TPP and regain lost ground in its trade policies by accelerating negotiations for other trade pacts. ＴＰＰで反転攻勢をかけるとともに、他の交渉も加速し、通商政策を巻き返さなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 16, 2013) （2013年3月16日01時34分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 16, 2013) China's overbearing diplomacy only boosts its 'alien' image 習・李体制へ 威圧外交で高まる中国異質論（3月15日付・読売社説）
Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping has been named president at the National People's Congress, succeeding the retiring Hu Jintao. Xi now holds the country's top three titles, including the top party and military posts. 中国共産党の習近平総書記が全国人民代表大会（全人代＝国会）で、引退する胡錦濤氏の後任の国家主席に選出された。これで、党、軍のトップと合わせて３権を掌握した。
On Friday, Li Keqiang is set to succeed Wen Jiabao in the premiership. Then the transition of power that began in autumn last year will be complete and the Xi-Li regime can begin to move. １５日には、党内序列２位の李克強氏が温家宝氏から首相を引き継ぎ、「習・李体制」が始動する。昨秋以来の権力移行の完成だ。
China, now the world's second-largest economy, is being urged to play a much larger role in the international community than it did when the Hu-Wen regime began 10 years ago. We hope China will respond to the demands of the global community and fulfill its responsibility in stabilizing the world situation. 世界第２位の経済大国となった中国には、１０年前の「胡・温体制」発足時より格段に大きな役割が国際社会で求められている。中国はそのことを自覚し、世界の安定に責任を果たしてもらいたい。
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Aiming to be a maritime giant
President Xi, who has said achieving the "great revival of the Chinese nation" is the goal of his administration, is expected to pursue wealth- and military-building policies over his two five-year terms, aiming to transform China into a superpower on par with the United States. 「中華民族の偉大な復興」を政権目標に掲げる習主席は、２期１０年間の任期中、米国と並ぶ超大国の座に迫ろうと、富国強兵路線を突き進む考えだ。
Backed by a strong military, China has been striving to become a "great maritime power." It is quite clear that the country will continue its hard-line stance against Japan, Vietnam, and other neighbors in the East and South China seas. 強大な軍事力を背景に「海洋強国化」を推し進めている。東シナ海や南シナ海で、日本やベトナムなど周辺国に対し、強硬姿勢をとり続けるのは間違いない。
China's lawmaking body, the National People's Congress, passed government organizational reforms to achieve this aim. 全人代では、そのための政府の機構改革も決めた。
The reforms consolidate maritime patrols under the State Oceanic Administration (SOA)--activities that had been previously administered independently by law enforcement bodies such as the SOA, Agriculture Ministry and Public Security Ministry. This therefore represents a massive increase of the SOA's authority. Above the SOA, a state oceanic commission will be created to direct the country's maritime strategy. 国家海洋局の下に、これまで海洋局や農業省、公安省などが個別に所管してきた海上取り締まり活動を一本化した。海洋局の権限を大幅に強化するものだ。その上位機関に、海洋戦略を主導する「国家海洋委員会」を新設する。
The Xi administration is expected to step up cooperation between the navy and the SOA to maintain and strengthen its demonstrative activities around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture. The administration has reportedly been studying the possibility of sending a survey team to the islands to set survey markers and create an accurate map of the islands. 習政権は、尖閣諸島周辺の示威行動を継続・強化する目的で海軍と海洋局の協力を本格化させる見通しだ。尖閣諸島の正確な地図作製のため、測量隊の派遣や標識の設置も検討しているとされる。
This situation is very worrying for Japan. We cannot accept such a violation of Japan's sovereignty. 憂慮すべき事態である。日本の主権を侵害する行為を受け入れるわけにはいかない。
Japan needs to increase alertness over China in cooperation with the United States, and prepare for China's ever-escalating provocative actions. 日本は米国と連携して警戒を強め、エスカレートする挑発への備えを固めねばならない。
As part of the organizational reform, China has decided to dissolve the Railway Ministry. Dubbed an "independent kingdom" with its own police force and court system, the ministry has been criticized as a hotbed of corruption in the wake of seemingly endless bribery cases. The Xi administration's leadership will be tested over its ability to direct a new railway organization to put customers first and place top priority on safety. 機構改革では鉄道省の解体も決まった。独自の警察や裁判所も抱えた「独立王国」には、汚職が絶えない「腐敗の温床」との批判があった。利用者側に立ち、安全を最優先する組織に再生できるか。政権の指導力が問われよう。
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No visible achievements
During the last decade, the Hu-Wen administration sought sustainable economic growth that took the environment into consideration and worked to correct income disparities. However, it failed to produce visible results. Furthermore, the new administration must appropriately deal with the suppression of the human rights of minority groups, such as those in the Tibet Autonomous Region. 胡・温体制はこの１０年、環境に配慮した持続的な経済成長や格差是正などを訴えてきたが、目に見える成果を出せなかった。さらに、チベットなど少数民族の人権抑圧への対応も迫られている。
Xi will need to squarely face difficult problems that could shake the foundation of the country. If the government continues to inflame nationalist sentiments with its forcible, overbearing diplomacy only to distract people from their hardships, it will only give more credence to ideas in the international community such as that China is an alien nation or is a major threat to other countries. 習主席は、中国を足元から揺さぶる難題に正面から取り組むべきだ。国民の不満をそらそうと、力ずくの威圧外交によって国内の民族主義を煽(あお)り続けるのなら、中国への「異質論」や「脅威論」が国際社会で高まるだけである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 15, 2013) （2013年3月15日01時38分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 15, 2013) Wage hikes must be linked to economic recovery 春闘回答 賃上げを景気回復の糸口に（3月14日付・読売社説）
It seems the public's expectations for Abenomics--the Abe Cabinet's economic policy aimed at escaping from deflation--have had a positive impact on this year's shunto spring wage negotiations. デフレ脱却を目指す安倍内閣の経済政策「アベノミクス」への期待が、今年の春闘に好影響を与えたのだろう。
Workers' wages had been sliding in Japan for years, helping to prolong deflation. It is essential that these wage increases be linked to growth in consumption and economic recovery. 日本では長年にわたり、賃金の下落傾向が続き、デフレが長期化する一因となってきた。賃上げを消費拡大と景気回復につなげることが重要である。
On Wednesday, major automakers and electronics makers responded to labor unions' demands regarding yearly bonuses and regular pay raises based on seniority. Their decisions influence trends in the annual spring labor offensives. 春闘相場に影響を与える大手の自動車や電機各社は、定期昇給や年間一時金（ボーナス）を労働組合に一斉回答した。
Most major automakers, such as Toyota Motor Corp., said they will accept their unions' bonus demands in full. The average yearly bonus at such automakers has recovered to the level recorded in 2008, before the so-called Lehman shock. The automakers also acceded to the unions' demands on regular pay raises. トヨタ自動車など大半の自動車大手は一時金で満額回答し、リーマン・ショック前の２００８年以来の水準となった。定昇や、これに相当する「賃金制度維持分」でも組合の要求をのんだ。
Compared to automakers, business performance has varied recently among major electronics makers. As a result, there were differences in the electronics makers' responses to their unions' demands, but they all accepted the demands on regular pay raises. 業績にばらつきがある電機では回答に差がついたが、定昇維持では足並みがそろった。
The outlook of labor-management negotiations has totally changed from last year, when some companies decided to forgo the regular pay raise and cut their employees' wages. 一部企業が定昇凍結や賃下げした昨年春闘からは様変わりだ。
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Management's policy shift
Initially, management took a hard-line stance before this year's shunto negotiations, stressing that certain companies may choose to postpone or forgo regular pay raises. Their policy shift is remarkable. 経営側が当初、「企業によっては定昇の延期・凍結もありうる」と厳しい姿勢を見せていたのと比べると大きな転換と言えよう。
The underlying reason why the companies chose to accept the unions' demands is the rapid business recovery of export-oriented companies, such as automakers and electronics makers, boosted by the depreciation of the yen that took place after the launch of the Abe administration. その背景には、安倍政権誕生後に進んだ円安を追い風に、自動車や電機など輸出企業の採算が急速に改善している事情がある。
Requests by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and some Cabinet ministers during negotiations that companies increase workers' wages were also effective. 加えて、安倍首相や閣僚が、春闘中、経営側に賃上げを要請したことも効果的だった。
Some company executives have acknowledged they took the government's requests into account. It is understandable for the labor unions to boast that they had a certain level of success in the negotiations. 一部の経営側は首相らの要請を考慮したことを認めている。労働側が「一定の成果を確保した」と分析しているのはもっともだ。
Ahead the manufacturing industry, a number of convenience store chains, such as Lawson Inc., also raised their employees' wages. We want to praise the convenience store industry's decision to take the initiative in working to boost consumer spending. 製造業に先立ち、ローソンなどコンビニエンスストア業界でも賃上げが相次いだ。個人消費のテコ入れに先鞭(せんべん)をつけようとしたコンビニ業界の決断も評価できる。
However, although the public's hopes for Abenomics are running high, Japan has yet to witness substantial recovery in the real economy. ただし、アベノミクスは期待感が先行しており、必ずしも実体経済は本格的に回復していない。
Few companies have promised to raise base pay, called "base-up" in Japanese, a uniform pay-scale increase that comes in addition to the regular pay raise. It is also unclear whether moves to raise wages will spread to small and midsize companies. 賃金を底上げするベースアップを行った企業はまだ少なく、中堅・中小企業に賃上げの動きが波及するかどうかは不透明だ。
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Recovery is yet to come
Depreciation of the yen will drive up the prices of fuel and imported raw materials. We have to be aware that certain industries, such as food services, will be buffeted by the headwind caused by such cost increases. 円安進行は、燃料や輸入原材料価格の値上がりによるコスト高を招き、外食産業などの企業に逆風となることにも要警戒である。
Will the government be able to connect companies' moves to increase their employees' wages, which the nation has been longing for, to steady economic recovery and make it the beginning of a virtuous economic cycle? What matters is the government's effort to reinforce cooperation with the Bank of Japan to achieve this goal. 大事なのは、ようやく出てきた賃上げの動きを着実な景気回復という好循環につなげていく政府・日銀の連携の強化だ。
The government plans to draw up by June its growth strategy, with policies such as practical implementation of regenerative medicine as its pillars. We hope the strategy will produce tangible results, such as strengthening the competitiveness of domestic companies and nurturing growing industries. 政府は６月、再生医療の実用化などを柱とする成長戦略をまとめる方針だ。企業の競争力強化や、成長産業の育成など具体的な成果を期待したい。
Such moves should be taken in tandem with bold monetary easing and flexible fiscal policy to accelerate the rejuvenation of the Japanese economy. 大胆な金融緩和と機動的な財政出動と併せ、日本経済の活性化を加速しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 14, 2013) （2013年3月14日01時34分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 14, 2013) Keeping memories of the March 11 disaster alive 震災遺構の保存 記憶の伝承に生かせるのなら（3月13日付・読売社説）
Scars of the massive tsunami triggered by the Great East Japan Earthquake remain all-too-vivid in some affected areas. A large fishing vessel remains stranded ashore, and buildings reduced to their bare frames dot the landscape. 骨組みだけとなったビル、陸に乗り上げた大型漁船――。東日本大震災の被災地には今なお津波の痕跡が生々しい。
Local governments in these areas face an extremely difficult quandary: Should structures that remain grim reminders of the devastation wrought by the disaster be left where they are, or should they be dismantled and removed? 震災の惨状を伝える遺構を保存するか、解体撤去するか、自治体にとっては極めて難しい問題である。
In Minami-Sanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, a consensus over whether to preserve the town government's office building for antidisaster measures remains elusive. Many officials in the building died when it was engulfed by the tsunami. In Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, opinion is split over whether to conserve the former town government building where the mayor and other officials were swept away by the dark tsunami waters. 宮城県南三陸町では、多くの町職員らが亡くなった防災対策庁舎の保存の賛否を巡り、調整がついていない。岩手県大槌町でも、町長らが濁流にのみ込まれて犠牲となった町役場旧庁舎の保存で住民の意見が割れている。
Some bereaved families who lost relatives at such sites have demanded the structures be removed, saying, "It's painful just to see them because they remind us of the disaster." Their deep sadness must be taken seriously. 現場で肉親を奪われた遺族からは「震災を思い出すので見るのもつらい」と強く撤去を求める声が上がっている。その痛切な思いは重く受け止めるべきだろう。
Some observers suggest leaving these wrecked structures as they are will impede the progress of reconstruction. 無残な姿の建物が街の中に残っていたのでは、復興の妨げとなるとの声もある。
On the other hand, there are strong views that the structures must be preserved so memories of the disaster will not fade. Some bereaved families initially wanted these structures demolished, but as time passed, they changed their view and now favor preservation. "They must be kept to prevent a recurrence of this tragedy," is the reasoning for this change of heart. 一方で、被災の記憶を風化させないために、遺構を保存すべきだという意見も根強い。遺族の中には当初、解体を求めながら、時間が経過する中で「悲劇を繰り返さないためにも保存することが必要だ」と考え直した人もいる。
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Full community debate vital
Whether to preserve the ruins should be discussed on a community basis from various perspectives, including the pros and cons of keeping the memories alive, promoting antidisaster measures, memorial purposes and future town building. Consideration also must be given fully to the fact that maintenance and administration of the structures will be costly for the local governments concerned. 遺構の保存の是非について、記憶の伝承、防災、慰霊、将来の街づくりなど、様々な角度から地域で議論を尽くすべきである。維持管理には、自治体に多大の財政負担がかかる点も、十分に考慮しなければならない。
The Miyagi prefectural government has formulated a basic vision on how to deal with disaster remains, and submitted it to municipal governments concerned. The vision calls for studying preservation steps commensurate with their fiscal wherewithal. 宮城県は震災遺構に対する県の基本的な考え方を取りまとめ、関係市町に通知した。自治体の財政規模に見合った保存のあり方を検討するよう求めている。
The prefectural government also set guidelines for preservation, including such requirements as giving approval for using the structures as centers for antidisaster education, conducting repairs to make them safe to use, and making sure they do not impede reconstruction. We think these requirements are reasonable. さらに、防災教育の拠点とするなど活用方針が決まっていて、安全性確保のための補修が可能、しかも復興の妨げとならない、といった保存の目安を挙げている。妥当な内容と言えよう。
Transferring part of the structures to museums or other facilities could be one way to preserve them. Other possible options include taking pictures and preserving other data before they are dismantled. 遺構の一部を博物館などに移設する方法もある。解体する前に写真やデータに残し、保存する方策も考えていい。
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A symbol of reconstruction
In Rikuzen-Takata, Iwate Prefecture, restoration of the "miracle pine tree" that died after initially surviving the tsunami will be completed shortly. The tree has been reassembled as a symbol of reconstruction after its trunk was hollowed out and filled with a carbon spine. 岩手県陸前高田市では、津波に耐えながらも枯死した「奇跡の一本松」の復元作業が近く完了する。幹の中をくりぬいてカーボン製の芯を入れるなど工夫し、復興のシンボルとしてよみがえった。
The area surrounding the tree will be developed as a reconstruction memorial park to be used for future development of the city. If the number of visitors to the park increases, it will help revitalize the city. 「奇跡の一本松」の周辺は復興祈念公園として整備を進め、将来の街づくりに生かす計画だ。公園への来訪者が増えれば、町の活性化にもつながるだろう。
We hope various ideas for keeping records of tsunami damage will be used. It is also essential to work out how lessons learned by academic research on the disaster can be passed to future generations. 様々なアイデアを生かし、津波被害の記録を残してほしい。学術研究を経て得られた教訓を後世に伝えていく方法も考えたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 13, 2013) （2013年3月13日01時24分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 13, 2013) Relay lessons from disaster to next generation ３・１１追悼式 被災の教訓を次世代につなげ（3月12日付・読売社説）
Along with expediting reconstruction in the Tohoku region, it is vitally important to pass the lessons learned from the March 11, 2011, disaster on to the next generation. 東北地方の再生を急ぐとともに、被災の教訓を次世代に引き継いでいくことが大切だ。
The nation has marked the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In Tokyo, a government-sponsored memorial ceremony was held, with the Emperor and Empress attending. About 1,000 people also took part in the ceremony, including the heads of the nation's legislative, administrative and judicial branches of government and representatives of bereaved family members. They prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased. 東日本大震災から２年を迎えた。 東京では政府主催の追悼式が開かれ、天皇陛下ご臨席のもと、三権の長、遺族代表ら約１０００人が、亡くなられた人たちの冥福を祈った。
In a speech at the ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his resolve to "move forward to create a nation with a high degree of resilience to disasters throughout the country, in keeping with the lessons learned through this disaster." 安倍首相は式辞で、「今般の教訓を踏まえ、我が国全土にわたって災害に強い強靱(きょうじん)な国づくりを進めていく」と決意を示した。
House of Representatives Speaker Bunmei Ibuki said: "It is worrisome that [people's recollections of the disaster] are fading as seen in the reduced number of volunteers. Taking the lessons learned to heart, we're obliged to pass them on to the next generation." 伊吹衆院議長は、「ボランティアの減少など震災の風化が懸念されている。教訓を心に刻み、次の世代に引き継いでいくことこそが、我々の役割だ」と述べた。
The government and the Diet must use the lessons drawn from the disaster to improve disaster management measures for the entire nation. 政府と国会は、震災からくみ取った教訓を日本全体の防災対策の向上に生かさねばならない。
The ceremony also was attended by about 150 people from diplomatic circles, including ambassadors from a number of countries. 追悼式には、各国大使など外交関係者も約１５０人出席した。
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Action by younger generation
Rin Yamane, a high school student representing Iwate Prefecture, pledged: "The younger generation will aim to better serve as human resources in aiding countries affected by natural disasters using the experience from our own disaster. We'll treat the massive earthquake not as a painful memory but a memory that will lead to the future." 岩手県代表の高校生、山根りんさんは、「自然災害が発生した国々で、被災体験を生かした支援活動ができる人材となり、大震災がつらい記憶ではなく、未来につながる記憶となるよう私たち若い世代が行動する」と誓った。
The nation also must expedite reconstruction efforts in a show of respect for the assistance offered by other nations. 各国からの支援に応える意味でも、復興を急ぐべきだ。
Responding to a nationwide opinion survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun in late February, 69 percent of respondents said reconstruction of disaster-hit areas did not seem to have made much progress. The figure was almost unchanged from the 72 percent who responded this way in a survey a year ago. 読売新聞が２月末に行った全国世論調査では、復興が進んでいないと思う人は６９％に上り、昨年の７２％と変わらない水準だった。
While it was in opposition, the Liberal Democratic Party harshly criticized the Democratic Party of Japan-led government for its slow and inefficient reconstruction efforts. 自民党は野党時代、民主党政権が取り組む復興策の遅れや効率の悪さを厳しく批判してきた。
Now that he is back in power, Abe should make an all-out effort to produce tangible results in response to public discontent, which remains strong. 安倍首相は、政権復帰を果たした以上、依然として強い国民の不満に対し、目に見える形で応えてもらいたい。
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Delays in Fukushima Prefecture
Delays in reconstruction are particularly obvious in Fukushima Prefecture, where a number of steps have yet to be taken in the wake of the crisis at a nuclear power plant, when compared to Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, which also were hit hard by the earthquake and tsunami. 特に、いまだ原発事故の処理が続く福島県は、宮城、岩手両県と比べても復興の遅れが目立つ。
The Abe administration has set up a general bureau for reconstruction and revitalization in the city of Fukushima to establish a hands-on approach in tackling such issues as decontamination of radioactive materials and rebuilding communities. 安倍政権は、福島市に福島復興再生総局を設置し、放射能の除染や町づくりに「現場主義」で取り組む体制を整えた。
Regarding the return of evacuees to areas near the nuclear plant, Abe said at a press conference, "With a target of around summer, I'll come up with a concrete road map on the restoration of roads, water systems, medical and welfare services, as well as for the return of residents." 首相は記者会見で、原発事故で避難した周辺住民の帰還について、「夏頃をめどに、道路、水道、医療、福祉の復旧、いつ頃住めるようになるか、具体的な道筋を明らかにしていく」と語った。
We approve of Abe's stance when he said, "Action is everything." 「すべては実行あるのみ」との姿勢は評価できる。
As for the three hardest hit prefectures, the government has for the first time presented a timetable for the construction of public housing units for disaster victims to expedite housing reconstruction. This is the right move. 被災３県については、住宅再建を急ぐため、政府が被災者向けの公営住宅である「復興住宅」建設の工程表を初めて提示した。適切な対応だろう。
People affected by the disaster are anxious about their uncertain futures. It is crucial for measures to be taken as soon as possible to give them hope. 被災者は「先の見えない不安」を抱えている。一刻も早く将来に希望を持てるよう、手立てを講じることが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 12, 2013) （2013年3月12日01時26分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 12, 2013) Govt must lead efforts to speed up reconstruction 震災２年・再建を誓う日 政府主導で復興を加速させよ（3月11日付・読売社説）
◆安心して生活できる地域再生を◆
Today marks the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami that killed 15,881 people and left 2,668 others missing. 東日本大震災から２年を迎えた。 亡くなった人は１万５８８１人、行方不明は２６６８人に上る。
No fewer than 315,000 people have been forced to live as evacuees, and about 160,000 of them are from Fukushima Prefecture, where the nuclear crisis broke out at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. 避難生活を送る被災者は３１万５０００人を下らない。うち約１６万人が、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故が起きた福島県の避難者である。
Let us together pray anew for the repose of the victims' souls. Reconstruction from the disaster has been delayed, and the government must take the initiative in accelerating rebuilding efforts. 国民みんなで改めて犠牲者の冥福を祈りたい。再起に向けた歩みは遅れている。政府が主導し、復興を加速しなければならない。
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110,000 in temporary homes ◆今も仮設住宅に１１万人
Behind the slow progress of rebuilding municipalities is the difficulty of forming a consensus among the residents concerned. Whether to locate a commercial and industrial zone on higher ground or in a coastal area is one example. Another problem is whether to build high seawalls that could effectively separate the land and the sea. 市町村の復興計画が進んでいない背景には、住民の合意形成が難しい事情がある。例えば、商工業を営む場所を高台にするか、沿岸部にするかという問題だ。壁のような防潮堤で海と陸を遮断していいのかという問題もある。
Residents of Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, which was heavily damaged by the tsunami, wanted to rebuild where they lived rather than collectively relocate to an inland area. The municipal government plans to boost its reconstruction efforts by building a seawall and promoting changes in land use. But some residents oppose the plan. 津波で市街の一部が壊滅した宮城県名取市の住民たちは、内陸への集団移転ではなく、現地での再建を望んだ。市は防潮堤建設や区画整理を行って支援する方針だが、反対の声も残るという。
The only way to push the plan ahead is to launch it without obtaining the full approval of some residents. 計画を前に進めるには、住民の十分な合意がないまま、始動せざるを得ないのが実情だ。
A redevelopment plan in coastal zones was decided at an early stage of reconstruction by such fishery cities as Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture, and Kesennuma and Ishinomaki, both in Miyagi Prefecture. 早期に沿岸部再開発を決めたのは、岩手県釜石市や宮城県気仙沼市、石巻市などの漁業都市だ。
As a senior Ishinomaki municipal government official put it, "As long as we cannot expect reconstruction without fishery business, we cannot desert the coastal areas." 「漁業でしか再建できない以上、海辺の土地は捨てられない」（石巻市幹部）との理由からだ。
Disaster victims commute from temporary housing to fishery processing factories and other workplaces, many of them no doubt worried about the reoccurrence of tsunami. 被災者たちは津波の再来に不安を覚えながら、仮設住宅から水産加工場などに通う。
Residents in Ishinomaki often say, "How can we strike a balance between earning income and being assured of our safety and security?" These words are compelling. 「収入と安全安心をどう両立させればいいか」。石巻でよく聞かれる言葉は切実だ。
The mayor of one city resigned in the face of opposition to reconstruction programs from residents and the municipal assembly. The past two years saw each local government and its residents explore ways to realize revival while facing their own predicaments. 復興策が議会や住民の反発を招き、辞職した町長もいる。それぞれの自治体と住民がジレンマに苦しみながら、「街の再生」を模索した２年だったと言えよう。
About 110,000 people still live in prefabricated temporary housing units. A matter of concern is the increase in the number of residents who complain about stress and unease caused by their inconvenient daily life. Local governments must expedite construction of housing so that the affected residents can lead a stable life as early as possible. 被災地のプレハブの仮設住宅には、今も約１１万人が暮らす。不自由な生活にストレスや不安を訴える住民が増えていることが懸念される。安定した生活が送れる新住居に早く移れるよう、自治体は復興住宅の建設を急ぐべきだ。
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Agency bears heavy burden ◆復興庁の責任は重大だ
The low spending rate for a tremendous amount of rehabilitation expenditures cannot be ignored. About 1.4 trillion yen earmarked for the current fiscal year by Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures and 34 municipalities cannot be implemented before March 31 and will be carried over to the new fiscal year starting in April. 巨額の復興費の消化率が低い実態は看過できない。岩手、宮城、福島の３県と３４市町村で、約１・４兆円が今年度中に予算執行できず、新年度に繰り越される。
This delay was partly caused by difficulty in purchasing plots of land needed for such projects as building houses for disaster victims. Another problem was that bidding for related public works has failed to attract businesses because they see little profitability in such projects. 復興住宅などの事業用地買収が難航したり、利益の薄い工事を業者が敬遠して入札が不調だったりしているためだという。
In coastal areas of Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, removal of debris has progressed. But in many areas, work to elevate plots of land sunken by the tsunami or to construct seawalls has not even started. 岩手、宮城両県の沿岸部では、がれきの撤去は進んだものの、津波で地盤沈下した土地のかさ上げや防潮堤建設などの工事に着手できていない地域が多い。
Wasting more time will only further delay reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas. この上、時間を浪費すれば、被災地の再生は遅れるばかりだ。
The Reconstruction Agency, which is tasked with functioning as a control tower for reconstruction projects, has a heavy responsibility. It must reinforce its cooperation with local governments and take the leadership in implementing measures for the affected areas. 司令塔機能を発揮すべき復興庁の責任は重い。各自治体との連携を一層強化し、被災地対策を主導する必要がある。
The agency has recently expanded the scope of how the reconstruction grants should be spent, making it possible to use them for such works as elevating the site where a fishery community once stood. Such a step is reasonable. 復興庁が最近、復興交付金の使途を広げ、漁業集落の跡地のかさ上げなどにも使えるようにしたのは妥当だ。
The agency must clear away the bottleneck in work and speed up the pace of spending reconstruction budgets. 工事の停滞を解消し、復興予算執行のスピードを上げなければならない。
As there are many sparsely populated communities in the affected areas, it is not easy to revitalize these communities anytime soon. 被災地には、過疎の市町村が多く、その場所にすぐに活気を取り戻すのは容易ではない。
On Okushiri Island in Hokkaido, which was hit in July 1993 by a major earthquake and tsunami, a large sum of reconstruction funds was spent on relocating communities to higher ground. But the population of the communities has been steadily declining. かつて大地震と津波で被災した北海道奥尻島では、住民の高台移転などで多額の復興費が投じられた。しかし、その後は人口の減少に直面している。
The disaster-hit areas in the Tohoku region may need to learn lessons from this experience. 東北の被災地も、奥尻の教訓を生かす必要があろう。
Some local municipal governments, including Aomori and Toyama, have been carrying out projects designed to concentrate residential houses in certain districts, which are provided with such infrastructure as hospitals, schools and post offices, thus improving convenience. These projects are being implemented under a "compact city" concept. 青森市、富山市などでは、住民を一つの地域に集め、病院や学校、郵便局も整備して利便性を高める事業を進めている。「コンパクトシティー」と呼ばれる。
Applying such a concept to measures dealing with the depopulation of the disaster-affected areas could be worth discussing. 被災地の過疎対策への応用も検討に値するのではないか。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said: "Reconstruction [from the earthquake disaster] is the top priority, together with the revitalization of the Japanese economy. I want to win the people's trust in my administration by bringing about [tangible] results as soon as possible." 安倍首相は、「復興は日本経済再生と並ぶ最重要課題だ。一日も早く結果を出すことで信頼を得たい」と強調している。
As Abe has put it, without reconstruction, a "robust economy" cannot be realized. 復興なくして、首相が掲げる「強い経済」は実現できないだろう。
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Solid results essential ◆問われる具体的成果
On Wednesday, the government made major changes in the membership of a panel of experts tasked with scrutinizing the reconstruction measures and recommending remedial steps to Abe. The panel is expected to compile an interim report by June. 政府は今月６日、復興策を点検し、首相に改善を提言する有識者会議「復興推進委員会」のメンバーを大幅に入れ替えた。６月をめどに中間報告をまとめる。
In the central government's present reconstruction programs, which were worked out under the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration, many things may require review when the reality of disaster-stricken areas is taken into consideration. 民主党政権が策定した現行の国の復興計画には、被災地の実情に照らすと、見直すべき点が多々あるだろう。
Why have the reconstruction projects been delayed? What kinds of new measures are needed? We hope the panel comes up with proposals that will lead to the rejuvenation of the affected area in Tohoku. 復興の遅れは何が原因か。新たにどのような施策が必要か。東北の再生につながる提言をまとめてもらいたい。
Now that two years have passed since the disaster, concrete actions with tangible results in the coming year are essential. 大震災から３年目に入り、求められているのは、具体的な行動と成果である。
Just as Abe has expressed his determination to realize reconstruction, it is the government's mission to accelerate the pace of reconstruction. 首相の決意通り、復興を加速させることが政府の使命だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 11, 2013) （2013年3月11日01時18分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 11, 2013) Tohoku children also need 'restoration' after disaster 被災地の教育 復興の担い手を育成したい（3月10日付・読売社説）
Children are the future of the Tohoku region, which was devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake. We hope their educational needs will be restored as quickly as possible in disaster-hit areas. 子供たちは東北の将来の担い手になる。東日本大震災の被災地の教育再生を加速させたい。
After the March 11, 2011, disaster, the government has dispatched a relatively generous number of teachers to support children at schools in the three disaster-hit prefectures in the Tohoku region. 東北３県の被災地の学校には震災後、教師が比較的手厚く配置され、子供たちの指導に当たってきた。
In the classrooms, special programs have been launched to have children learn traditional crafts of the areas and think about the future of their hometowns. Educating them on the places they hail from is expected to deepen the children's love for their communities and have a long-term effect in helping restore devastated areas. 学校現場では、地域の伝統工芸を学んだり、町の未来の姿を子供たちに考えさせたりする取り組みが始まっている。こうした郷土教育は、ふるさとへの愛着を深めさせ、復興を長期的に支える効果が期待できる。
The government should continue offering support through the dispatch of teachers and other school staff. It also should improve educational content and further develop the education system. 今後も、教職員の人的支援を継続し、教育の内容や体制をさらに充実させることが大切である。
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Decrease in students
However, many schools have seen a decrease in students. This is most serious in municipalities around the crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant operated by Tokyo Electric Power Co. 問題は、子供の減少に直面している学校が多いことだ。特に深刻なのは、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の周辺自治体である。
For instance, the town of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, has moved its administrative functions to the city of Nihonmatsu in another part of the prefecture. Namie Primary School has continued classes in a building of a defunct school in Nihonmatsu. 役場機能を福島県二本松市に移転した浪江町では、町立浪江小学校が市内の廃校校舎を使い、授業を続ける。
However, many of the school's children have transferred to other schools. Namie Primary School had more than 500 students before the earthquake and tsunami, but the number has dropped to only 30. No new students will enroll in the school in April. だが、児童の多くは別の学校に移った。 震災前に５００人を超えた児童数は、現在３０人。４月からの新入生はいない。
Even if residents who evacuated to other areas returned to their hometowns, the situation would remain difficult. Hirono Primary School, run by the town of Hirono, Fukushima Prefecture, resumed classes at its old school building in August. But only 20 percent of its previous student body has returned to the school. 避難先から帰還しても、状況は厳しい。昨年８月から元の校舎で授業を再開した広野町立広野小学校では、戻った児童は震災前の２割程度にとどまっている。
Municipal governments apparently want to maintain the foundation of their communities and retain bonds with their residents by keeping local schools operating. 自治体には、学校を維持することで、地域の核や住民の絆を保ちたいとの思いがあるのだろう。
However, parents tend to be anxious about having their children return with them to their own homes in areas where radiation is still too high for them to do so in the foreseeable future or where the foundations for their livelihood have not yet been fully restored. しかし、放射線量が高くて帰還の見通しが立たない地域、生活基盤の整っていない地域では、保護者は子供と一緒に元の家へ戻ることに不安を抱きがちだ。
Municipal governments have to present them with a picture of restoration in the near future along with detailed explanations. We also hope the central government and other organizations concerned will help create jobs in the disaster-hit areas, leading to the stabilization of the livelihood of children's guardians. 自治体は復興の近未来像を丁寧に説明する必要がある。国なども保護者の生活安定につながる雇用創出を支援してもらいたい。
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Negative effects
It is also concerned that a prolonged life as an evacuee might have a negative effect on children. 長期化する避難生活が、子供に及ぼす影響も懸念される。
Children of evacuees are said to spend insufficient time on study at home because they have no space to concentrate on their studies in tiny temporary housing units. 狭い仮設住宅では落ち着いて勉強する場がなく、家庭学習がおろそかになると言われる。
The project of a nonprofit organization to have former schoolteachers and former cram school instructors help such children study after school is very significant. 元教師や元塾講師らが放課後に子供の学習の手助けをするＮＰＯ法人の試みは、大いに意義があろう。
Meanwhile, according to a school health survey by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry, the percentage of overweight children has increased sharply in Fukushima Prefecture, probably because they play less outdoors due to radiation fears. 文部科学省の学校保健統計調査によると、原発事故後、肥満傾向の子供の割合が福島県で急増している。放射線への不安から外遊びが減少したためと見られる。
The central and local governments should develop indoor sports facilities in addition to those at the schools so children can be more physically active. 学校以外でも屋内運動施設の設置を進め、子供が体を動かせる場所を確保したい。
Equally important is their psychological care. In case of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, the number of children who suffered from mental stress and needed psychological care peaked three years after the disaster. 心のケアも重要だ。阪神大震災では、精神的なストレスを抱え、ケアを必要とする子が震災３年後に最も多かった。
We hope the education ministry continues to send counselors to schools in the disaster-hit areas and develops consultation services further. 文科省はスクールカウンセラーの派遣を続け、相談体制の拡充を図ってほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 10, 2013) （2013年3月10日01時12分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 10, 2013) China's implementation is key for N. Korea sanctions 北朝鮮制裁決議 中国が履行せねば効果はない（3月9日付・読売社説）
New U.N. sanctions against North Korea are intended to increase international pressure on Pyongyang to shut down its nuclear weapons programs. 北朝鮮の核武装化に歯止めをかけようとする国際社会の圧力強化だ。
In a unanimous vote, the U.N. Security Council on Thursday passed a resolution to impose additional, tougher economic sanctions on North Korea in response to its nuclear test last month, the third it has conducted. 国連の安全保障理事会が、３回目の核実験を強行した北朝鮮に対し、経済制裁を追加、強化する決議を全会一致で採択した。
The resolution called for substantially stricter restrictions and surveillance on movements of money, goods and people related to North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs. While past resolutions merely asked member states to implement major sanction measures, the latest resolution obliges them to do so. 決議は、北朝鮮の核兵器・弾道ミサイル開発計画に関係するカネ、モノ、ヒトの移動の制限・監視を大幅に強化し、主要な制裁措置の実施を各国に義務づける内容だ。「要請」にとどまっていた従来の決議より踏み込んだ。
The past three resolutions against North Korea adopted by the U.N. Security Council have proved ineffective and failed to stop the country's nuclear and missile buildup. Apparently drawing a lesson from its failure, the United Nations has sent a more powerful message from the international community to North Korea this time. We approve. 過去３度の安保理の制裁決議は実効性を欠き、北朝鮮の核やミサイルの開発を阻止できなかった。その教訓を踏まえ、国際社会の強い決意を示したと評価できる。
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New steps expand ban
To stop flows of money, U.N. member states are required to freeze financial transactions and services with North Korea as well as transfers of bulk cash to the country. カネの移動を止めるため、各国は北朝鮮との金融取引や金融サービスを停止し、大量の現金持ち運びを制止しなければならない。
The latest resolution also calls on member states to inspect North Korea-related cargo suspected of containing banned items and deny entry to vessels that refuse to be inspected. 決議は、禁制品積載が疑われる貨物船への検査実施や、検査を拒否した船の入港禁止も定めた。
The countries are also obliged to deport North Korean nationals with suspected links to their country's nuclear and missile development. 核・ミサイル開発との関係が疑われる北朝鮮人を国外強制退去させることも義務づけている。
To make the sanctions effective, it is essential that China--North Korea's biggest trade partner and main benefactor--implement the resolution fully. 制裁の実効性を高めるには、北朝鮮の最大の貿易相手国かつ援助国である中国が、決議を確実に履行することが欠かせない。
China was initially reluctant to agree to sanctions such as one requiring inspections of North Korean cargo. However, Beijing gave a green light to such measures after finding it difficult to continue to stand up for a defiant Pyongyang. We hope the new measures will prove effective by being implemented thoroughly. 貨物検査などの義務化に消極的だった中国も、北朝鮮をかばいきれず、制裁強化に同意した。厳格な実施で効果を上げてほしい。
Meanwhile, North Korea reacted sharply against the new sanctions, vowing to take "powerful second and third countermeasures." 北朝鮮は、制裁強化に強く反発し、「より強力な２次、３次の対応措置」を予告している。
The U.N. resolution warns of even harsher action against North Korea if the country continues with nuclear tests and missile launches. In such an event, China may need to consider suspending its provision of energy to North Korea while South Korea might be well advised to consider closing down the Kaesong industrial complex, which it operates in cooperation with the North. 決議は、さらなる核実験やミサイル発射には、「さらなる重大な措置をとる」と警告した。中国はエネルギー供給の中止を、韓国は北朝鮮・開城工業団地の閉鎖を検討してもよいのではないか。
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Pyongyang remains defiant
Meanwhile, North Korea has caused further concern by escalating its bellicose rhetoric. 懸念されるのは、北朝鮮が恫喝(どうかつ)の度合いを強めていることだ。
The supreme command of the Korean People's Army threatened the United States, saying Pyongyang is ready to counter with advanced nuclear arms so that Washington will be "engulfed in a sea of fire." The North Korean Foreign Ministry also said Pyongyang will exercise its right to "a preemptive nuclear attack" on the United States. 朝鮮人民軍最高司令部は、「精密核攻撃手段で立ち向かう」「押せば発射、放てば火の海になる」と米国をあからさまに威嚇し、外務省も「核先制攻撃の権利を行使することになる」と宣言した。
North Korea reportedly plans to hold a military parade in July to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the armistice in the Korean War. The parade is apparently aimed at enhancing the authority of Kim Jong Un, the first secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, amid increased tensions with the United States. 朝鮮戦争の休戦協定署名から６０周年の７月に北朝鮮は「閲兵式」を計画している。米国との対決を背景に、金正恩第１書記の権威を高める狙いがあるのだろう。
Concerns over the regime of Kim Jong Un cannot be dismissed, as it has put priority on military-first politics and nuclear weapons, instead of rebuilding the country's economy, and deepened its isolation from the international community. Other countries must not lower their guard against Pyongyang's military and other provocative acts. 経済再建よりも核武装化の「先軍政治」を優先し、世界で孤立を深める金正恩政権の行方には危うさがつきまとう。関係国は、武力挑発などへの警戒を怠れない。
Japan needs to keep its eye on North Korea's moves and increase cooperation with the United States and South Korea to prepare for every possible contingency. 日本は、北朝鮮の動向を注視し、あらゆる事態に備え、米国や韓国と連携を強化する必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 9, 2013) （2013年3月9日01時55分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 9, 2013) Sharp must accelerate rehab efforts with capital tie-up with Samsung シャープ再建 サムスンの出資に頼る苦渋策（3月8日付・読売社説）
Sharp Corp., which has been in corporate rehabilitation, now aims to ensure its survival through a capital tie-up with longtime rival Samsung Electronics Co. of South Korea. 経営再建中のシャープが、長年のライバル、韓国サムスン電子との資本提携で生き残りを目指すことになった。
Sharp took a step toward strengthening its financial base with the tie-up, but uncertainty still looms over the company's future. Sharp is urged to swiftly advance its management reform with the tie-up as leverage. 財務基盤の強化へ、一歩前進だが、先行きは不透明である。提携をテコにした経営改革のスピードが問われよう。
According to the terms of their agreement, Samsung will invest 10.3 billion yen in capital and is expected to own a 3 percent stake in Sharp. 合意によると、サムスンがシャープに１０３億円を出資し、出資比率は３％になる見通しだ。
Sharp plans to provide Samsung with liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for smartphones and television sets, regaining sales in an effort to improve earnings. Samsung, for its part, focused on the advantage of stable procurement of LCD panels. シャープは、サムスンにスマートフォン（高機能携帯電話）やテレビ向けの液晶パネルを供給して販売を回復し、収益力の向上を狙う。サムスンはパネルを安定調達できる利点に着目した。
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Deadlock in renegotiations
Hit by such factors as failed major investments and a sales slump in LCD panels, Sharp is expected to post a deficit for fiscal 2012, for the second business year in a row. 過剰投資の失敗と液晶パネルの販売不振などが響き、シャープは２０１３年３月期に２期連続で巨額赤字を計上する見込みだ。
A year ago, Sharp agreed to accept capital investment from major Taiwan manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. However, renegotiations with Hon Hai, which demanded a review of the terms of the agreement, hit a deadlock, raising concern over Sharp's ability to raise operational funds. シャープは１年前、台湾の製造大手、鴻海(ホンハイ)精密工業から出資を受けることで合意した。しかし、条件見直しを求める鴻海との再交渉が暗礁に乗り上げ、資金繰りが不安視されていた。
With no bright prospects in its negotiations with Hon Hai, Sharp must have made the painful choice to ask Samsung for capital investment. 交渉の展望が見えない中で、サムスンに出資を求めるという苦渋の決断を下したのだろう。
Japanese and South Korean electronics manufacturers have battled fiercely since the 1990s in such fields as semiconductors, flat-screen TVs, LCD panels and lithium-ion batteries. 日韓の電機メーカーは１９９０年代から、半導体、薄型テレビ、液晶パネル、リチウムイオン電池などで激しく競争してきた。
At first, technologically superior Japanese firms were dominant, but in recent years Samsung and other South Korean firms have grown rapidly. Currently, the positions are reversed. 当初は技術力に勝る日本勢が優勢だったが、近年はサムスンなどが急成長して立場が逆転した。
The rare situation of a Japanese company accepting a major investment of capital from a South Korean one symbolizes the difference in vigor between companies in the two countries. 日本企業が韓国側から出資を受け入れるという異例の事態は、勢いの差を象徴している。
The focus from now on is whether Sharp can fully utilize the benefits of the tie-up with Samsung in accelerating its corporate rehabilitation efforts. 今後の焦点は、シャープがサムスンとの提携効果を生かし、再建を加速できるかどうかだ。
First, the company will be required to increase operation rates of factories by expanding sales routes of LCD panels and get its business into the black. まず、液晶パネルの販路拡大で工場の稼働率を上げ、事業を黒字化することが求められよう。
Sharp has been making small and medium-size LCD panels for smartphones and tablet computers of Apple Inc. of the United States, which entrusts Hon Hai with the production of its products. シャープは従来、米アップルのスマートフォン向けの中小型パネルを生産し、鴻海がアップル製品を受託製造する関係にある。
Sharp will provide small and medium-size LCDs to Samsung, which has been at loggerheads with Apple. The success or failure of this strategy, a departure from its dependence on Apple, will bear watching. シャープは、アップルと争うサムスンにも中小型パネルを供給することになるが、「脱アップル依存」戦略の成否が注目される。
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Prevent tech outflow
Sharp, which is obliged to redeem a huge amount of corporate bonds this autumn, still has a weak capital base. Further improvement of its financial capacity is an urgent task. 巨額の社債償還を今秋に控えたシャープの資金基盤はまだ弱い。一層の財務改善も急務だ。
Another concern is the possibility of an overseas outflow of Sharp's state-of-art technologies. Because of the capital tie-up, we wonder if Samsung may ask Sharp to provide its technologies to the South Korean firm. Countermeasures are needed to protect the technical base of Japan's creative manufacturing. 懸念されるのは、シャープの最先端技術の流出である。サムスンとの提携により、技術提供を要求されないか。日本のもの作りの基盤を守る対策も必要である。
Management rehabilitation is still under way at Japanese home appliance companies, including Panasonic Corp. We hope each of those companies will redouble its efforts to rise again, in line with the policy of the government, which attaches importance to strengthening industrial competitiveness. パナソニックなど日本の家電各社は経営立て直しの途上にある。産業競争力強化を重視する政府と歩調を合わせ、各社が巻き返し策を急いでもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 8, 2013) （2013年3月8日01時30分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 8, 2013) Diet must correct disparities in value of votes １票の格差違憲 立法府は司法の警告に応えよ（3月7日付・読売社説）
Once again, a severe judgment has been handed down against the Diet, which keeps on failing to correct disparities in the value of votes. 「１票の格差」を一向に是正しない国会に対する厳しい司法判断が、再び示された。
The Tokyo High Court on Wednesday said the December House of Representatives election, in which votes in some constituencies carried up to 2.43 times the weight of votes in other constituencies, was unconstitutional, as it violated the Constitution's stipulation of people's equality under the law. 格差が最大で２・４３倍だった昨年１２月の衆院選について、東京高裁は、法の下の平等を定めた憲法に違反していたと断じる「違憲判決」を言い渡した。
The Diet has had ample time to correct the disparities, but it took no effective measures before carrying out the election. The high court criticized the Diet's inaction, calling it a lapse that cannot be overlooked. 格差是正の時間的余裕はあったのに、有効な措置を講じず、選挙を実施した国会の不作為を「看過できない」と批判した。
Lawmakers must take the court ruling seriously and correct the disparities without further delay. 国会は判決を重く受け止め、格差是正を急がねばならない。
The latest ruling was handed down in light of a decision made by the Grand Bench of the Supreme Court in March 2011. 今回の判決は、最高裁大法廷が２０１１年３月に出した判決を踏まえたものだ。
In that ruling, the top court said that the 2009 lower house election, when the maximum disparity was 2.30, was held under a considerably unequal situation. However, it stopped short of declaring it unconstitutional, instead judging it to be in a "state of unconstitutionality." The court explained this by saying, "A reasonable time period to correct the disparities has not yet elapsed." 最高裁は格差が最大２・３０倍だった０９年衆院選について、著しい不平等は認めたが、「違憲状態」との判断にとどめていた。「是正する合理的期間は過ぎていない」という理由からだった。
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No measures taken
During the extraordinary Diet session, the ruling and opposition parties made a legal revision to cut five lower house seats by scrapping five single-seat constituencies. However, a review of electoral districts based on the law was not made in time for the December election, which was thus held in the unconstitutional state. 与野党は先の臨時国会で、緊急避難的に小選挙区を「０増５減」とする法改正を行った。だが、区割り作業は間に合わず、衆院選は違憲状態のままで行われた。
Despite the warning from the Supreme Court, correction of the disparities in vote values did not progress. The Tokyo High Court did not declare the election invalid, but its decision surely goes farther than the 2011 Supreme Court ruling. 最高裁が警鐘を鳴らしたにもかかわらず、格差是正は進まない。東京高裁は、選挙無効こそ認めなかったものの、一歩踏み込んだ判断を示したと言える。
Similar cases are currently being tried at 14 high courts and branches throughout the country. All of the rulings are scheduled to be handed down within this month. 同様の訴訟は、全国１４の高裁・支部で審理され、いずれも今月中に判決が言い渡される。
The Public Offices Election Law requires a court to try to hand down a ruling within 100 days after a suit is filed. Although there have been past cases in which it took more than half a year for courts to hand down decisions, courts are now following the rule, thus urging the Diet to take swift corrective action. 公職選挙法には、裁判所は提訴から１００日以内に判決を出すよう努めるとの規定がある。これまでは半年以上かかるケースがあったが、今回、規定通りに判断を示す裁判所の姿勢は、国会に速やかな格差是正を迫るものだ。
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Division of ultimate power
The group of lawyers who filed the latest suit argued, based in part on the Constitution's preamble that "sovereign power resides with the people," that the vote of one person holding such power should be strictly equal to the votes of others. 訴訟を起こした弁護士グループは、憲法前文にある「国民主権」の見地などから、主権者である国民の１票は厳格に平等でなければならない、と主張した。
The Tokyo High Court rejected this claim, but it will be a focal point in subsequent rulings to come. 東京高裁は、この主張については退けたが、今後の判決でも注目点の一つとなるだろう。
Members of the ruling and opposition parties said, "We will take the ruling seriously," or "The ruling includes condemnation of the legislative branch of the government." These are natural responses. Lawmakers must take concrete action to improve the situation. 判決に対して与野党は「厳粛に受け止める」「立法府への糾弾の意味も含まれている」としている。当然の反応である。ただちに具体的な行動をとるべきだ。
The Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the Democratic Party of Japan have agreed to carry out a drastic review of the lower house election system, including reduction of lower house seats, during the current Diet session. However, work to realize the agreement has been slow. Since the election system affects the rise and fall of political parties, it must face twists and turns for the parties to reach an agreement on concrete measures. 自民、公明、民主３党は、今国会中に定数是正を含む衆院選挙制度の抜本的な見直しを行うことで合意したものの、作業は遅々として進展していない。選挙制度は、各党の消長にかかわる問題だけに、合意形成は難航しよう。
However, they have little time. Further negligence is simply unacceptable, as it erodes the very authority of the Diet as the legislative branch. だが、時間は限られている。立法府の権威を自らおとしめる、これ以上の怠慢は許されない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 7, 2013) （2013年3月7日01時21分 読売新聞）
China, which has trumpeted its desire to become a maritime power, has been rapidly expanding its military might. 「海洋強国化」を掲げる中国が、軍事力を急激に膨張させている。
If Xi Jinping's administration wants to dispel the "China threat theory" being increasingly espoused by neighboring countries, it should commit itself to making its military power more transparent and actively engage in confidence-building steps. 周辺国で高まる「中国脅威論」を、習近平政権が否定するのなら、軍事力の透明性向上や信頼醸成に積極的に取り組むべきだ。
At the National People's Congress, or parliament, that convened Tuesday, China unveiled a 10.7 percent year-on-year increase in defense spending in the 2013 national budget to about 740.6 billion yuan (about 11.11 trillion yen). This is about 2.4 times the size of Japan's defense budget. 中国の全国人民代表大会（全人代＝国会）が開幕し、公表された２０１３年の国家予算案で、国防費は前年実績比１０・７％増の約７４０６億元（約１１兆１１００億円）に上った。日本の防衛予算の約２・４倍の規模である。
China's defense budget has logged double-digit increases for more than 20 consecutive years, excluding 2010, when the global recession buffeted that country. Its actual military expenditure remains unclear because the disclosed figure does not include money earmarked for weapon research and development, for example. 世界同時不況が影響した１０年を除き、国防費の２ケタ増は２０年以上続いている。公表分に兵器の研究開発費などは含まれないとされ、不透明さは変わらない。
China should fully disclose the breakdown of its defense budget and plans to introduce military equipment. 国防費の内訳や装備導入計画を公開することが求められる。
China's military expansion policy, which is behind the substantial rise in defense spending, also is a destabilizing factor that could trigger military expansion in neighboring nations, including India. 国防費大幅増の背景にある軍拡路線は、インドなど周辺国の軍拡を招く不安定要因でもある。
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Senkakus need vigilance
The Xi administration probably will appropriate this budget predominantly to projects reinforcing China's navy and air force so it can encircle the East China Sea and the South China Sea as "China's Sea," to counter the U.S. strategy that places greater emphasis on Asia. 習政権は、「アジア重視」戦略を進める米国に対抗し、東シナ海と南シナ海を「中国の海」として囲い込むため海空軍力増強に予算を重点的に投入するのだろう。
China's military has been accelerating development of its own stealth fighter jet and construction of domestic aircraft carriers and new frigates. It reportedly has conducted about 40 exercises this year. 中国軍は、ステルス機の開発のほか、国産空母や新型フリゲート艦などの建造を急いでいる。今年の演習は約４０回に上るという。
This year's government work report delivered at the National People's Congress stressed that China will protect its maritime interests. The Chinese Navy and State Oceanic Administration have confirmed they will strengthen their cooperation. 全人代の今年の政府活動報告は、「国家の海洋権益を守っていく」と強調した。海軍と国家海洋局は連携強化を確認している。
There is the possibility that Chinese surveillance ships, with assistance from the navy, could take a more hard-line stance around the Senkaku Islands. Chinese vessels might seize Japanese fishing boats or apprehend their crew members. Japanese authorities must step up their vigilance. 尖閣諸島周辺で、中国の監視船が海軍の支援を受け、さらなる強硬姿勢をとる可能性も出てきた。日本漁船の拿捕(だほ)や船員の拘束も起きかねない。日本は警戒を強める必要がある。
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More provocations possible
Automatic spending cuts that have started in the United States could restrict U.S. military operations in the western Pacific. Given the circumstances, there are concerns the Chinese Navy may instigate a provocation similar to the incident this year in which a Chinese frigate locked its fire-control radar on a Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel. 米国の歳出強制削減で西太平洋での米軍活動が抑制されかねない中、懸念されるのは、海上自衛隊艦艇へのレーダー照射事件のような中国海軍の挑発行動である。
China should try to build trust with Japan by resuming talks on establishing a bilateral system for emergency communications at sea. Tokyo must enhance the deterrence of the Japan-U.S. alliance and do everything in its power to defend the Senkaku Islands. 中国は、海上での緊急連絡体制の構築を目的とする日本との協議を再開させ、信頼醸成を図るべきだ。日本は、日米同盟の抑止力を高め、尖閣諸島の防衛態勢に万全を期さなければならない。
Dealing with environmental problems is an urgent task for the Xi administration. Serious air pollution in China has exposed the limits of Beijing's policy of focusing on economic growth above all else. We think China should also appropriate more of its budget to expanding the social security system in preparation for the costs that will come with its rapidly graying population. 習政権にとって喫緊の課題は環境問題への対応だ。深刻な大気汚染は成長至上主義の限界を露呈している。急速な高齢化に備えた社会保障の拡充にも、さらに予算を投入すべきではないか。
Meanwhile, China's domestic security budget exceeds the defense budget. This indicates that the Chinese government believes it has no choice but to flex strong state power to deal with disturbances that frequently erupt across that country. その一方で、国内治安対策費は国防予算を上回っている。全土で多発する暴動に、強権で対処せざるを得ないのだろう。
Stimulating a sense of national greatness among Chinese people by military expansion, thereby diverting domestic frustrations to external elements, is a dangerous game. 軍拡によって国民の大国意識を刺激し、不満を外にそらすのは、危険な手法である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 6, 2013) （2013年3月6日02時05分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 6, 2013) Obama, Congress must unsnarl chaos over budget 米国歳出削減 大統領と議会は混乱収拾急げ（3月5日付・読売社説）
The automatic spending cuts aimed at slashing U.S. federal spending have been implemented. President Barack Obama and Republican and Democratic lawmakers must find points of compromise and unsnarl the confusion soon. 米国政府の歳出を強制的に削減する制度が発動された。オバマ米大統領と民主、共和両党は妥協点を探り、混乱の早期収拾を図るべきである。
The spending cuts amount to 1.2 trillion dollars (about 110 trillion yen) over a 10-year period, with 85 billion dollars, or about 10 percent of government spending for fiscal 2013 (which started on Oct. 1 and ends on Sept. 30), to be cut. 歳出削減額は１０年間で１・２兆ドル（約１１０兆円）に上り、２０１３会計年度（１２年１０月～１３年９月）では、歳出の約１割に相当する８５０億ドルがカットされる。
The automatic budget cuts were mandated in legislation passed in the summer of 2011 when Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on a fiscal reconstruction plan. Without an agreement on a middle- or long-term fiscal deficit-cutting deal, the budget cuts were to be invoked in January. 強制削減制度は、財政再建を巡る１１年夏の与野党攻防の際に設けられた。中長期的な財政赤字削減策をまとめられない場合、今年１月に発動する予定だった。
To avert the so-called fiscal cliff of automatic spending cuts and middle-class tax increases, at least as a temporary fix, the deadline for implementing the budget cuts was put off by two months. But negotiations between Obama and both parties collapsed, leading to the automatic budget cuts. This is an extremely serious situation. 「財政の崖」をひとまず回避するため、発動期限は２か月先送りされたが、それでも大統領と与野党の協議が決裂し、発動を防げなかったのは深刻な事態だ。
While Obama and the Democrats have been calling for cutting the federal deficit by additional tax increases on the rich and spending cuts, Republicans adamantly oppose the tax increases. 大統領と与党・民主党は、富裕層への追加増税と歳出カットによる赤字削減を主張しているのに対し、共和党はあくまで、増税に反対する強硬姿勢を崩さない。
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Deep-rooted confrontation
This resulted in a deep-rooted confrontation that started even before last year's presidential election. 昨年の大統領選挙前からの根深い対立を浮き彫りにしている。
The automatic spending cuts will not immediately damage the U.S. economy or affect the people's lives, but if they are kept in place for a protracted period of time, ill effects will be felt both at home and abroad. The situation must be watched. 歳出の強制削減によって、ただちに米国経済や国民生活に不都合が生じるものではないが、発動が長期化すれば、影響は内外に広がる。要警戒である。
For instance, with the cuts in spending on national defense, about 800,000 civilian personnel of the U.S. Defense Department face furloughs, which could hinder U.S. security operations in the western Pacific and Japan. 例えば、国防費削減で米軍の職員約８０万人が一時帰休を強いられて、西太平洋や日本などの安全保障に支障が生じかねない。
With the cuts in air traffic controllers, some airport control towers might be closed. A large number of teachers may also be fired. With the budget cuts, these scenarios will come closer to reality. 航空管制官の削減で管制塔が閉鎖したり、教員が大量解雇されたりする事態も現実味を帯びる。
In the long term, the cuts are likely to slow down the U.S. economy, which has at last shown signs of recovery, and also damage the world economy. ようやく景気回復の傾向が出てきた米国経済の足を引っ張り、世界経済にも打撃を与えそうだ。
While the main budget for the current fiscal year has yet to be passed into law, the provisional six-month budget will expire on March 27. 今年度予算はまだ成立せず、暫定予算の失効が２７日に迫っている。
Unless the main budget or a new provisional budget is decided on, further disarray will follow and may even cause a government shutdown. それまでに本予算も新たな暫定予算も決まらないと、政府窓口の一部閉鎖という、さらなる混乱に拡大するだろう。
The focal issue at least for the time being is whether the confrontation between Obama and congressional Republicans will end before such adverse effects spread. 当面の焦点は、そうした悪影響が広がる前に、対立に終止符を打てるかどうかである。
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Radical solution required
The responsibilities of the president and the Congress are grave. It is important for them to compromise soon and produce a radical solution to realize both fiscal reconstruction and economic growth, instead of continuing an unproductive exchange of denunciations. 大統領と議会の責任は重大だ。不毛な非難合戦を続けるのではなく、財政再建と経済成長を両立させる抜本策について、速やかに歩み寄ることが肝要だ。
There are many pending problems over fiscal management. Unless the limit on federal borrowing is raised by the middle of May, the U.S. government may even default on its obligations. 財政を巡る懸案は多い。５月半ばまでに連邦債務上限を引き上げられない場合、債務不履行（デフォルト）に陥る恐れすらある。
The president and Democratic and Republican lawmakers have repeatedly put off solving problems every time their negotiations have deadlocked. But makeshift measures will not lead to a fundamental solution. 大統領と与野党はこれまで、協議が行き詰まるごとに、問題先送りを繰り返してきた。だが、その場しのぎの策では、根本的な解決にならない。
The big question is whether the United States can rid itself of "politics characterized by indecision." 「決められない政治」から脱することが厳しく問われよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 5, 2013) （2013年3月5日01時29分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 5, 2013) Relax requirements for constitutional revision 憲法９６条 改正要件緩和が政治を変える（3月4日付・読売社説）
Revision of Article 96 of the Constitution, which stipulates procedures to amend the national charter, has emerged as a major item on the political agenda. 憲法改正の手続きを定めた憲法９６条の改正問題が、大きな政治テーマに浮上している。
This is apparent after the Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party, which all called for revision of the article in their campaign platforms for the House of Representatives election in December, together have acquired more than two-thirds of the chamber's 480 seats. 背景には、昨年末の衆院選で自民党や日本維新の会、みんなの党が９６条改正を公約とし、３党で衆院の３分の２超の議席を獲得したことがある。
Depending on the outcome of the House of Councillors election in July, legislative arrangements for revising the Constitution will get under way for the first time. ７月の参院選の結果次第では、憲法改正の環境が初めて整う。
Therefore, constitutional revision is now on the political agenda and has a chance of being realized. 憲法改正は今や、現実味を帯び始めた政治課題だ。
Article 96 calls for revision to be initiated by the Diet through an affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of all members of each house, followed by a national referendum in which support from a majority of the public must be secured. ９６条は、憲法改正について、衆参各議院の総議員の３分の２以上の賛成で国会が発議し、国民投票で過半数の賛成を得なければならないと規定している。
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Hard to clear dual hurdle
It will not be easy to clear the high dual hurdle of winning affirmative votes of two-thirds or more in each chamber and securing majority support from the public in a referendum. 衆参とも３分の２以上を確保したうえで、国民投票も行うという二重の高いハードルを乗り越えるのは容易なことではない。
If the threshold of two-thirds is revised to a majority as proposed by the LDP, it will be easier to initiate amendments. 自民党が提案するように「３分の２以上」を「過半数」とすれば改正を発議しやすくなる。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the government will seek revision of Article 96, which is supported by many parties, ahead of other articles over which parties are divided. This is a realistic and appropriate approach. 安倍首相は、政党の考え方が対立する条項ではなく、まずは多くの党が賛同できる９６条から改正に取り組む考えを示した。現実的で妥当なアプローチである。
His view is shared by some conservative members of the Democratic Party of Japan who reportedly plan to form a new parliamentary league with lawmakers of Ishin no Kai and Your Party to revise Article 96. 民主党の一部の保守系議員も同様に考え、維新、みんな両党の議員と９６条改正を目指して新たな議員連盟を設立するという。
The controversy over constitutional revision, which puts politicians' views of the nature of the state to the test, is significant in that it could lead to a political realignment. 政治家の国家観を問う憲法改正の問題は、政界再編につながる可能性を持つ意味でも重要である。
The DPJ has not yet decided on its position on the issue due to differences of opinion within the party. 民主党は、党内の意見対立から依然として憲法改正に対する方針が定まっていない。
Even its party platform makes little reference to the issue, saying only that the party "envisages a future-oriented constitution to establish constitutionalism in the true sense of the word." This statement does not give the people much idea about how the party will tackle constitutional revision. 党の綱領にも「真の立憲主義を確立するため、未来志向の憲法を構想していく」とあるだけだ。これでは憲法改正にどう取り組むのか、さっぱりわからない。
The DPJ must hold in-depth discussions on the matter ahead of the upper house election as the issue has the potential of becoming a bone of contention. 憲法改正が争点になり得る参院選に向けて、今から党内論議を尽くしておくべきだろう。
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Unrealistic situation
A constitution does not have to remain unchanged forever. In the past 13 years alone, Switzerland amended its Constitution 23 times, while Germany revised its top law 11 times and France 10 times. 憲法は、「不磨の大典」ではない。この１３年間だけでも、スイスは２３回、ドイツは１１回、フランスは１０回も憲法を改正している。
However, since it was enforced in 1947, the Constitution of Japan has never been revised, an extremely rare case. 制定以来一度も改正されていない日本の憲法は、世界的に見ても希有(けう)な存在だと言える。
With the changing times, the gap between the Constitution and reality has become diverse and distinct. Many lawmakers believe the Constitution should be revised in relation to protection of environmental rights and privacy, let alone national security, but nothing has been done. 時代の変化に伴い、憲法と現実との様々な乖離(かいり)が目立っている。安全保障はもとより、環境権、プライバシーの保護など、多くの国会議員が憲法改正は必要と考えながらも、実現に至らなかった。
It is natural for Ishin no Kai coleader Toru Hashimoto to assert that "it's important to discuss the content [of the Constitution], but is it satisfactory to leave intact a situation in which we cannot even seek the people's judgment on revision proposals?" 日本維新の会の橋下共同代表が「中身の議論も大事だが、国民に改正案の是非を問うこともできない状態を放置していいのか」と主張するのはもっともだ。
Now is the time to relax Article 96's requirements that has made it so difficult to revise the Constitution. 憲法改正を困難にしてきた９６条の改正要件を緩和すべき時である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 4, 2013) （2013年3月4日01時50分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 4, 2013) Export of F-35 parts a chance to relax arms export ban Ｆ３５部品輸出 一層の３原則緩和も検討せよ（3月3日付・読売社説）
We praise the government's decision regarding the U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jet, as it will not only reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance but also maintain and grow Japan's foundation for the production and technology of defense equipment. 日米同盟の強化にも、日本の防衛生産・技術基盤の維持・育成にも役立つと評価できる。
The government decided Friday to exclude Japanese-made parts for the F-35, which will be the next mainstay fighter for the Air Self-Defense Force, from its ban on arms exports. Several countries, including Japan, are working with the United States on production of the F-35. 政府が、航空自衛隊の次期主力戦闘機Ｆ３５の日米共同生産に伴う日本企業による部品輸出を、武器輸出３原則の例外として認めることを決めた。
The F-35 is a state-of-the-art fighter jet with stealth capability that makes the plane less detectable by radar. Ｆ３５は、レーダーに捕捉されにくいステルス性が特徴の最新鋭機だ。
The Defense Ministry will introduce a total of 42 F-35s, starting this fiscal year. Three domestic companies will manufacture their bodies, engines and other parts. 防衛省は今年度から計４２機を導入する予定で、国内３企業が機体、エンジンなどを製造する。
The introduction of F-35s is extremely important in terms of air defense because the international environment around Japan is deteriorating due to such factors as China's arms buildup and the nuclear threat from North Korea. We expect the government to proceed with their introduction as scheduled. 中国の軍備増強や北朝鮮の核の脅威など日本の国際環境が悪化する中、防空面でのＦ３５導入は極めて重要だ。着実に進めたい。
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Boon for defense industry
The participation of Japanese firms in the production of the F-35 will allow them to acquire advanced technology and experience concerning a fighter jet. It will also enable the Japanese firms to maintain and repair the F-35s in Japan to improve their operating rate. Ｆ３５共同生産への日本企業の参画は、最先端の戦闘機技術やノウハウを吸収できるうえ、Ｆ３５の国内での修理・整備を可能にし、稼働率を高められる。
Furthermore, it will raise the level of the Japanese aircraft industry and enhance defense technology cooperation between Japan and the United States. 日本の航空機産業の高度化や日米防衛技術協力の強化にもつながろう。
This has significant meaning for the Japanese defense industry. この意義は大きい。
Next fiscal year's defense budget will see the first increase in 11 years. However, many defense-related companies have already gone bankrupt or withdrawn from the industry due to the decline in defense spending that continued for 10 consecutive years. 来年度の防衛予算は１１年ぶりに増えたが、１０年連続の減少で、多くの防衛関連企業が倒産・撤退している。
The weakening of the domestic foundation for production and technology of defense equipment may shake the nation's security. 国内の防衛生産・技術基盤が弱体化することは、日本の安全保障をも揺るがしかねない。
A new logistic system, in which countries concerned mutually supply parts to reduce costs, was adopted for the joint production of the new fighter jet. Under the system, however, Japan-made parts could be transferred to Israel. This has caused concerns regarding compliance with Japan's three principles on arms exports, aimed at "avoiding any possible aggravation of international conflicts. Ｆ３５共同生産では、費用削減のため、関係国が部品を融通し合う新制度を採用している。日本製部品のイスラエルへの輸出も想定され、「国際紛争の助長を回避する」とした武器輸出３原則との整合性が問題視されていた。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in a statement released by the government that the export of Japanese parts is approved on condition that exports are limited to countries that comply with the mission and principles of the U.N. Charter and that the United States administer strict export controls within the logistic system. 政府が発表した菅官房長官談話は、Ｆ３５の部品輸出を容認する要件として、輸出先を「国連憲章の目的と原則に従う」国に限定することや、米国による一元的で厳格な輸出管理を挙げた。
For instance, the export of Japanese parts will not be approved to countries under sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security Council. We think this is a reasonable judgment. 具体的には、国連安全保障理事会の制裁対象国などへの輸出は認めないという。妥当な判断だ。
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Japan caught in own trap
The statement avoids using expressions related to an "international conflict," which has various meanings. In addition to an invasive military action, it could also mean a fight against terrorism or self-defense. 談話は「国際紛争」に関する表現は外した。そもそも「国際紛争」は様々な意味を持つ。侵略的な軍事行動だけでなく、「テロとの戦い」や自衛行動も含まれよう。
With just a few exceptions, Japan has banned arms exports, being caught in its own trap by the ambiguous concept that the nation aims to avoid "any possible aggravation of international conflicts." 日本は、「国際紛争の助長」を避けるという曖昧な概念で自縄自縛に陥り、一部の例外を除いて、武器輸出を禁止してきた。
This has caused a vicious cycle in which domestically made weapons have become expensive and weighed on the defense budget, thereby delaying the introduction of advanced equipment to the Self-Defense Forces and debilitating the domestic defense industry. その結果、国産武器は割高になって防衛予算を圧迫し、自衛隊の最新装備の導入は遅れ、防衛産業も疲弊する悪循環を招いた。
Some members of the government have used the government's approval for the export of F-35 parts to call for a review of the three principles on arms exports. 政府内では、Ｆ３５部品輸出の容認を機に、武器輸出３原則全体の見直し論も出ている。
We hope the government will give priority to the question of what is really significant for the safety of Japan, and study further relaxation of the three principles on arms exports, with certain brakes still applied. 日本の安全にとって何が重要なのか。この点を最優先し、一定の歯止めをかけつつ、３原則の一層の緩和を検討してもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 3, 2013) （2013年3月3日01時48分 読売新聞）
A recent move by China clearly signals that the incoming administration of Xi Jinping seeks to increase its influence in the Indian Ocean as part of its aim to become a maritime giant with massive naval strength. 強大な海軍力を背景に「海洋強国」実現を目指す中国の習近平政権が、インド洋でも影響力の増大を図る姿勢を鮮明にしたと言えよう。
A state-run Chinese company has taken over the management of Gwadar Port in western Pakistan from a Singaporean firm. The port was built with Chinese government aid. 中国の支援で建設されたパキスタン西部のグワダル港の運営権が、シンガポール系企業から中国の国有企業に移った。
Situated on the Arabian Sea in the northwestern Indian Ocean, the port is a strategic point near the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping lane from the Middle East to Asia. インド洋北西部のアラビア海に面したグワダル港は、中東からアジアへの石油輸送の要所ホルムズ海峡に近い戦略的要衝である。
In addition to seeking more control of the East and South China seas to develop marine resources, China is stepping up efforts to secure maritime interests such as Northern Sea Routes and sea lanes to the Middle East and Africa. 中国は資源開発を念頭に東シナ海や南シナ海で「管轄」海域を拡大しようとする一方、北極海航路や中東、アフリカとの海上交通路（シーレーン）といった海洋権益の確保に躍起になっている。
The Chinese government has claimed that acquiring the management rights to Gwadar Port is part of its policy of economic cooperation. However, the company involved in the acquisition is a state-backed corporation--one that plays a role in implementing the country's national strategies. 中国政府は、港の運営権取得は経済協力の一環だと言う。だが、運営に携わるのは国家戦略の一翼を担う中国の国有企業だ。
Concerns that China may eventually use the port for military purposes cannot be dispelled. 将来的な軍港化への懸念は拭えない。
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Worries over 'String of Pearls'
In addition to Gwadar, China has helped develop ports in other countries on the Indian Ocean, such as in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A map of ports with Chinese involvement now looks like a necklace encircling India. 中国はグワダル港をはじめ、バングラデシュやスリランカなどインド洋沿岸国で港湾整備を支援してきた。各港湾を結ぶとインドを囲む首飾りのように見える。
Calling the ports a "String of Pearls," the United States is keeping its eye on this and other attempts by China to increase its geopolitical influence. 米国はこれを、海軍の外洋展開へ布石を打つ中国の「真珠の首飾り」戦略とみて注視している。
We believe India has reason to be concerned over Beijing's control of Gwadar Port. インドが中国のグワダル港運営に警戒を示したのは当然だ。
One alarming thing about China's desire to become a maritime power is that it has intensified the arms race in the region. 問題は、中国の海洋強国化が地域の軍拡競争を煽(あお)る新たな要因となっていることにある。
Recently, India increased efforts to counter China's military buildup, such as by developing submarine-launched ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads and purchasing foreign-made fighter jets. However, these moves could also prompt action from Pakistan, which has an ongoing border dispute with India. インドは最近、核弾頭搭載可能な潜水艦発射弾道ミサイルの開発や外国製戦闘機の購入を進めるなど、中国の軍備増強に対抗する動きを本格化させている。それが、対印国境で緊張が続くパキスタンの対抗措置を招く恐れもある。
In the East China Sea, a Chinese naval vessel locked its fire-control radar on a Maritime Self-Defense Force ship earlier this year. The Chinese Navy's attitude has become increasingly provocative. 東シナ海では中国海軍による海上自衛隊艦艇へのレーダー照射事件も起きた。中国海軍の高圧姿勢が際立っている。
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Cooperation with India is key
To deal with the regional instability caused by China's actions, Japan and the United States need to work together with India. 地域を不安定化させる中国の動きに対処するため、日本は米国やインドと連携する必要がある。
In late January, Japan and India held their first-ever talks on maritime affairs. During the talks, the two countries agreed on the importance of ensuring freedom of the seas based on international law, as the seas are significantly important for the good of international society. We urge the two nations to deepen cooperation in many areas, including shipbuilding and port development. 日印両国は１月末に海洋に関する初の対話を行い、「海洋が国際社会にとって極めて重要な公共財で、国際法に基づく自由を確保していくことが重要だ」との認識で一致した。造船や港湾整備など多方面で協力を深めるべきだ。
A safe Indian Ocean is also essential to Japan's economic growth. インド洋の安全確保は、日本の経済発展にも欠かせない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 2, 2013) （2013年3月2日01時04分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 2, 2013) Use transfer of power to achieve specific results 施政方針演説 政権交代の果実を具体化せよ（3月1日付・読売社説）
"The close alliance between Japan and the United States has now been perfectly revived," and "Let's begin in-depth discussions toward revising the Constitution." 「緊密な日米同盟は完全に復活」「憲法改正へ向けた議論を深めよう」
These remarks from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policy speech to the Diet on Thursday were especially conspicuous, as they marked changes in Japan's key policies following the transfer of power late last year. 安倍首相の施政方針演説には政権交代を印象づける言葉が目立った。
We appreciate the prime minister's fundamental stance to seek a "strong Japan" centering around the keyword of the nation's "self-reliance." 「自立」をキーワードに「強い日本」を目指す、という基本姿勢は、前向きに評価したい。
With such countries as China apparently in mind, Abe spoke about the integrity of Japan's land, territorial waters and airspace, as well as the challenges being made to its sovereignty, during the key policy speech. Abe mentioned his plan to increase Japan's defense spending for the first time in 11 years, while launching full-fledged discussions on creating an organ similar to the U.S. National Security Council. It is of truly high importance for the government to steadily put these ideas into practice. 首相は、中国などを念頭に、日本の領土・領海・領空と主権に対する挑発が続いていると指摘し、１１年ぶりの防衛費増額や国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）の設置検討に言及した。着実に具体化していくことが重要だ。
China has defined 2013 as the first year of its becoming a naval power, and is augmenting its maritime capabilities. 中国は今年を海洋強国化元年と位置づけ、海軍を増強している。
The Japanese government must appeal strongly to the international community for the need to solve international problems not through the use of force but on the basis of law. 政府は、力の行使ではなく、法に基づく問題解決の重要性を国際社会に強く訴えねばならない。
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Many urgent tasks await
The prime minister referred in the speech to his recent summit meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, vowing that Japan will play additional roles to help beef up bilateral security arrangements. 首相は日米首脳会談に触れ、安全保障体制の強化のために日本が更なる役割を果たすと語った。
The nation must urgently solve such pending issues as asserting its entitlement to exercise the right to collective self-defense and relocating the functions of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. 集団的自衛権の行使や米軍普天間飛行場の移設など、懸案事項に道筋をつけることが欠かせない。
Regarding the politically sensitive issue of whether Japan should participate in the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, Abe explained in the speech that the multilateral negotiations will not be held "on the premise of abolishing tariffs without exception." He indicated the government's willingness to take part in the TPP talks, saying a final judgment on whether to participate "will be made on the government's responsibility." 米国主導の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉の参加問題では「聖域なき関税撤廃」が前提ではないことをオバマ米大統領と確認したと説明した。「政府の責任で交渉参加について判断する」と述べ、参加に意欲を示した。
Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers backed by farming organizations and other groups that oppose Japan's participation in the TPP negotiations have begun to shed their wariness at joining the talks on the condition that Japan secure a guarantee through international negotiations that certain trade items will be excluded from the planned abolition of tariffs. 農業団体などの支援を受けた自民党内のＴＰＰ慎重派も、参加を容認し、国際交渉を通じてコメなど例外品目を勝ち取る戦術に転換してきている。
Therefore it can safely be said that the environment is right for the prime minister to officially announce Japan's intention to participate in the TPP talks. 首相の参加表明の環境は、整いつつある。
Japan does not have sufficient time to be involved in crafting the guidelines governing free trade rules in the TPP talks. The government should proceed swiftly with procedures for taking part in the talks to protect Japan's national interests. 自由貿易のルール作りに日本が関与できる時間はあまり残されていない。速やかに参加の手続きを進めて、国益を確保すべきだ。
In the policy speech, Abe also stressed that the government will do its utmost to make Japan the world's best country for business. 首相は、「世界で一番企業が活躍しやすい国」を目指すと強調した。
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Moves for partial coalition
He stated his government will formulate a responsible energy policy, and expressed his resolve to restart nuclear reactors if their safety is ensured. But simply making such a statement is hardly enough. 責任あるエネルギー政策を構築し、「安全が確認された原発は再稼働する」と述べたが、これだけでは物足りない。
Screenings for the reactivation of reactors will not come before July, when the Nuclear Regulation Authority is scheduled to decide on a set of new safety standards. Given this, there will not be satisfactory progress in restarting reactors unless the NRA conducts the screenings in a highly efficient manner. The stable supply of energy and reductions in its cost could be jeopardized. 原発再稼働の審査は、原子力規制委員会が新安全基準を決定する７月以降になる。よほど効率的に審査しないと再稼働は進むまい。エネルギーの安定供給とコスト低減がおぼつかなくなる。
The prime minister must fully exercise his leadership to achieve the earliest possible restart of reactors. 首相は率先して再稼働へ指導力を発揮しなければならない。
At the end of his speech, Abe called for the opposition to engage in constructive discussion to produce good results, instead of engaging in partisan bickering with the ruling coalition. 最後に首相は、与党と足の引っ張り合いをするのではなく、建設的な議論を行い、結果を出そうと野党に呼び掛けた。
His call for expediting interparty talks to review the electoral system and discussions by the panels of both Diet houses on the study of constitutional revisions can also be considered appropriate. 選挙制度の見直しや憲法審査会の論議促進を求めたのも妥当な認識と言える。
Despite the divided Diet, in which the opposition controls the House of Councillors while the ruling camp has a majority in the House of Representatives, a partial coalition is gaining momentum as exemplified by the passage of a supplementary budget through the upper house. 衆参ねじれ国会でも補正予算が参院で可決、成立するなど部分連合の機運が高まっている。
We strongly hope to see the ruling and opposition blocs work together to form a consensus on key issues. 与野党の合意形成に期待する。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 1, 2013) （2013年3月1日01時32分 読売新聞）
