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タイ在住11年目、妻はタイ人、娘が2人、養女が2人

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Intl community must address N. Korea nuclear threat swiftly / Regime’s unpredictable moves fuel instability
北朝鮮核実験　脅威の深刻化に迅速対応せよ

◆包囲網強化へ国際社会は結束を◆

The nuclear threat posed by North Korea has entered a new stage. The international community must unite and take all possible steps to maintain the peace and stability in Asia.
　北朝鮮の核の脅威が新たな段階に入った。アジアの平和と安定の維持へ国際社会は結束し、手段を尽くすべきだ。

North Korea has conducted its fourth nuclear test. Via a news broadcast on Korean Central Television, Pyongyang announced that it had successfully tested “its first hydrogen bomb.” It also said that with the success, the country had “joined the advanced ranks of nuclear weapons states that possess even hydrogen bombs.”
　北朝鮮が４回目の核実験を強行した。朝鮮中央テレビを通じて、「最初の水爆実験」に成功し、「水爆まで持つ核保有国の前列に立った」と発表した。

It was the second nuclear test conducted by the regime under its current leader, Kim Jong Un, following the one carried out in 2013.
　金正恩政権では、２０１３年に続く２回目の核実験だ。

In May, the country is scheduled to hold a Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea for the first time in 36 years. Kim, the first secretary of the party, may have intended to demonstrate his clout both at home and abroad by achieving the possession of a “hydrogen bomb.”
　今年５月には３６年ぶりの朝鮮労働党大会の開催を予定している。金第１書記は、「水爆」保有という実績を作り、国内外に威信を誇示したつもりなのか。

Outrageous act
　◆アジア安定損なう暴挙

We can never tolerate such an outrageous act by North Korea, which violates a number of resolutions by the U.N. Security Council that impose sanctions and call for the country to refrain from conducting nuclear tests and to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
　核実験の自制や核放棄を求める国連安全保障理事会の数々の制裁決議に違反する暴挙は、断じて容認することができない。

As the seismic energy observed following the test was smaller than that observed in the previous test, most experts are skeptical that the latest test was of a hydrogen bomb. Some experts have said that it may have been a test of a “boosted fission bomb.” To begin with, it is uncertain whether the test was successful or not.
　観測された地震のエネルギーが前回より小さいことなどから、専門家の間では、水爆実験に否定的な見方が強い。「ブースト型（強化型）原爆」ではないか、との指摘も出ている。そもそも実験が成功したかどうかも不明だ。

Even so, it is worrisome that a series of nuclear tests makes it more likely that the country will be able to develop smaller and more powerful nuclear weapons.
　懸念されるのは、核実験を重ねることで、核兵器の小型化や高性能化が進むことだ。

North Korea is said to have deployed a large number of Rodong ballistic missiles that can reach Japan. Should North Korea become able to mount nuclear warheads on such missiles, Japan’s security environment will dramatically deteriorate.
　北朝鮮は、日本を射程に収める弾道ミサイル・ノドンを大量に実戦配備しているとされる。核弾頭の搭載が可能になれば、日本の安全保障環境は劇的に悪化する。

It is only reasonable for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to have said that the latest nuclear test is a “serious threat to the security of our nation,” adding, “I strongly condemn this.”
　安倍首相が「わが国の安全に対する重大な脅威で、強く非難する」と表明したのは当然である。

The Kim regime has been trying to improve the country’s relations with China recently.
　金政権は最近、中国との関係改善を図っていた。

Liu Yunshan, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, who ranks fifth in the party hierarchy, took part in a commemorative event held in October to mark the 70th anniversary of North Korea’s Workers’ Party. Liu urged North Korea to refrain from conducting such acts as a nuclear test.
昨年１０月の朝鮮労働党創建７０年記念行事には、中国共産党序列５位の劉雲山政治局常務委員が参列し、核実験などの自制を働きかけた。

Kim hinted in December that his country “possesses a hydrogen bomb.” But he made no reference to “nuclear” in his New Year’s address.
　金第１書記は昨年１２月に「水爆保有」を示唆したが、年頭演説では「核」に言及しなかった。

As North Korea did not give advance notice either to China or to the United States this time and there were hardly any indications that such a test was imminent, the latest test was a complete surprise. Making any rational predictions regarding the Kim regime has become ever more difficult.
　今回の核実験は、米中への事前の通告がなかったうえ、兆候もほとんど確認できず、寝耳に水だった。金政権に関する合理的予測が一層難しくなったと言えよう。

Pass resolution
　◆日米は制裁決議に動け

North Korea’s latest move may be an indication that Kim, who is trying to maintain his clout with a “reign of terror” by purging senior members of the ruling party one after another, is increasingly acting arbitrarily on his own authority.
　幹部を相次いで粛清する「恐怖政治」で権力維持を図る金第１書記が、独断専行に拍車をかけていることが一因ではないか。

The latest statement asserted that North Korea would not suspend or abandon its development of nuclear weapons “unless the United States has rolled back its hostile policy toward [North Korea].” Some perceive the latest nuclear test as having been aimed at resuming dialogue with the United States.
　北朝鮮は声明で「米国の敵視政策が根絶されない限り、核開発の中断や放棄はない」と主張した。核実験は、米国との対話の再開を目指したものとの観測もある。

In October, however, U.S. President Barack Obama clearly stated that his administration would respond to North Korean nuclear testing with reinforced sanctions. North Korea’s latest move will only serve to internationally isolate the country even further.
　だが、オバマ米大統領は昨年１０月、核実験には制裁強化で応える方針を明確にしている。北朝鮮は国際的孤立を深めるだけだ。

The U.N. Security Council is set to convene an emergency session and discuss how to deal with the latest nuclear test. It is important to adopt a resolution to effectively strengthen sanctions on North Korea as soon as possible, thereby clarifying the council’s resolve to press the country to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
　国連安保理は緊急会合で、核実験への対応を協議する。実効性ある制裁強化の決議を早期に採択し、北朝鮮に核放棄を迫る意思を明確に打ち出すことが重要だ。

The latest provocation comes as Japan regained a nonpermanent seat on the security council this month. Japan should join hands with the United States and other pertinent countries to become proactively involved in adopting a sanctions resolution against North Korea.
　日本は今月、安保理の非常任理事国に復帰したばかりだ。米国などと連携し、制裁決議の採択に積極的に関与するべきだ。

The government has convened a meeting of four relevant Cabinet members of the National Security Council. They have analyzed information about North Korea’s action and discussed ways to deal with the situation. The government is considering the idea of reinstating some of the sanctions it lifted in July 2014, including one aimed at basically banning North Koreans from entering Japan.
　政府は国家安全保障会議（ＮＳＣ）の４大臣会合を開いて、情報を分析し、今後の対応を協議した。１４年７月に解除した北朝鮮籍者の入国の原則禁止など、一部の制裁の復活を検討している。

North Korea has also continued to put off reporting to Japan the results of its renewed investigation into the fate of Japanese nationals abducted by that country. We believe the government must take stern action against North Korea.
　北朝鮮は、日本人拉致被害者の再調査の報告についても先送りし続けている。政府は、厳しい措置を取らねばなるまい。

It is important for the government to persistently seek action from North Korea while adhering to the fundamental principle regarding efforts to comprehensively resolve issues related to that nation, including the abduction problem and its nuclear weapons and missiles programs.
　拉致と核・ミサイル問題を包括的に解決する基本方針を堅持しながら、粘り強く働きかけを続ける必要がある。

It is also important to increase cooperative ties between the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces, based on the Japan-U.S. alliance. The security-related laws established in autumn last year have made it possible for our nation to take such measures as defending U.S. vessels engaged in keeping guard against any attempt to launch a ballistic missile. Efforts should be made to expand joint Japan-U.S. vigilance and surveillance activities in areas surrounding Japan, thereby increasing deterrence.
　日米同盟に基づく自衛隊と米軍の連携を強化することも大切だ。昨秋成立した安全保障関連法で、弾道ミサイル発射を警戒中の米艦の防護などが可能になった。日本周辺での日米共同の警戒監視活動を拡充し、抑止力を高めたい。

It is also indispensable to facilitate close cooperation with South Korea. South Korean President Park Geun-hye has emphasized the importance of forcing North Korea to “pay the right price” for its latest provocation.
　韓国との緊密な協調も欠かせない。朴槿恵大統領は、北朝鮮に「相当する対価を払わせなければならない」と力説した。

China pressure vital
　◆中国の「圧力」がカギだ

Late last year, the Japanese and South Korean governments reached a deal on the issue of so-called comfort women. The momentum generated for improving Japan-South Korea relations should be efficiently used to deepen bilateral cooperation.
　日韓両政府は昨年末、慰安婦問題で合意した。関係改善の機運を生かし、協力を深めるべきだ。

The key to dealing with North Korea from the standpoint of increased pressure on that country is China.
　北朝鮮への圧力を強める観点でカギとなるのは、中国である。

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has expressed “resolute opposition” to North Korea’s nuclear test, urging Pyongyang to honor its pledge of denuclearization.
　中国外務省は核実験に「断固とした反対」を表明し、北朝鮮に非核化の約束を守るよう促した。

China was previously hesitant to impose tough sanctions that could destabilize the North Korean regime, despite championing efforts to make the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free. There is no doubt that China’s lenient stance has allowed North Korea to develop nuclear weapons.
　中国は従来、「朝鮮半島の非核化」を掲げながらも、北朝鮮の体制の不安定化につながるような厳しい制裁には及び腰だった。その甘い姿勢が北朝鮮の核開発を許してきたのは間違いない。

North Korea relies on China for most of its petroleum. North Koreans cannot live without commodities from China.
　北朝鮮は、石油の大半を中国に依存する。国民生活も中国からの物資なしには成り立たない。

This is at last the time when the administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping, which can make or break North Korea, must go all out to exert pressure on Pyongyang, thereby forcing North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons.
　北朝鮮の命脈を握る習近平政権は、今度こそ、核放棄への圧力に本腰を入れなければならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 7, 2016)

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 6
EDITORIAL: Saudi Arabia-Iran reconciliation needed to prevent further Mideast turmoil
（社説）サウジとイラン　中東安定に向け和解を

This year also began with chaos in the Middle East dominating international news. Conflict is deepening between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the two major players in the region.
　ことしも国際ニュースの幕開けは中東の混迷だった。地域大国のサウジアラビアとイランが対立を深めている。

With war and unrest continuing in various parts of the Middle East, these nations ought to be living up to their heavy responsibilities. Their commitment and collaboration are especially indispensable to breaking the deadlock in the situations in Syria and Iraq.
　中東各地で紛争や混乱が続くなか、両国が本来果たすべき責任は重い。とりわけシリアとイラクの情勢打開には、両国の関与と協調が不可欠である。

Saudi Arabia and Iran should be exploring means of compromise now. Further escalation of conflict will seriously affect Mideast peace, refugee and anti-terrorism policies, the crude oil market and all other issues of global concern. The international community must hasten to mediate and urge the two countries to meet halfway, with the United States in the lead.
　ここは歩み寄りの道を探るときである。争いが激化すれば、中東和平、テロや難民対策、原油市場など、あらゆる国際問題に深刻な打撃を与える。国際社会は、米国を筆頭に積極的な仲介と調整を急ぐべきだ。

Saudi Arabia and Iran have a long history of enmity. The former considers itself the leader of the Islamic majority Sunnis, while the latter is the leading nation representing the minority Shias.
　サウジとイランの反目の歴史は長い。サウジはイスラム教の多数派スンニ派の盟主を自認する一方、イランは少数派シーア派を代表する大国である。

The current feud was triggered by Saudi Arabia’s execution of a Shiite cleric for staging a street demonstration. In Tehran, a mob attacked the Saudi Embassy and set it on fire. Riyadh cut diplomatic relations with Tehran, and Bahrain and Sudan followed suit.
　今回の発端は、街頭デモを主導した罪でサウジがシーア派指導者を死刑にしたことだ。イラン国内で怒った群衆が、サウジ公館を壊し、放火などをした。サウジは断交を宣言し、バーレーンやスーダンも同調した。

Even before this latest falling-out, Saudi Arabia and Iran were sworn rivals vying for regional supremacy. And the Iraq War became a turning point. After the war, the Iraqi regime switched from Sunni to Shiite and Iran’s influence in the region grew dramatically, much to Saudi Arabia’s alarm.
　もともとサウジとイランは、地域の覇権をめぐってあつれきを強めてきた。その節目はやはりイラク戦争だった。イラクの政権がスンニ派からシーア派に移って以降、イランの影響力が大きく伸び、サウジの警戒心は増大した。

The civil wars in Syria and Yemen have an element of surrogate wars between Saudi Arabia and Iran, both of whom are continuing to back their respective “friends” in various parts of the Middle East. The Sunni-Shia religious feud has now become one of the biggest risks for the region.
　シリアとイエメンの内戦は、両国の代理戦争の側面があるほか、中東各地でそれぞれが自国に近い勢力に肩入れを続けている。スンニ派とシーア派の宗派対立はいまや、中東を覆う最大リスクの一つとなっている。

Should the current conflict spill into Iraq and Bahrain where tensions already run high between the feuding sects, the entire Middle East will become destabilized. And Saudi Arabia itself would have to worry about its internal stability, since 15 percent of its population are Shias.
　今回の対立が、国内で両派が緊張関係にあるイラクやバーレーンなどに波及すれば、中東全体が動揺する。約１５％のシーア派人口を抱えるサウジ自身の国内の安定への懸念も拭えない。

These problems began to emerge with the waning of America’s influence in the region. Saudi Arabia used to boast close relations with the United States, but the latter’s increased dialogue with Iran in recent years and the conclusion of a nuclear deal have added to Riyadh’s growing dissatisfaction and frustration with Washington.
　そもそも、こうした問題があらわになった背景には、中東での米国の影響力の衰えがある。かねて米国との緊密な関係を誇っていたサウジは、米国が近年イランと対話を進め、核開発をめぐる合意を結んだことで、いっそうの焦りと不満を募らせていた。

Given this background, the United States bears no small responsibility. The same could be said of the Jewish state of Israel, which is increasingly mistrustful of Iran. It is definitely the job of the United States to take the lead in urging Saudi Arabia and Israel to practice restraint.
　そうした経緯からも、米国の責任は重いというべきだ。イランへの警戒心を強めているのはユダヤ国家のイスラエルも同じである。サウジやイスラエルに自制を求め説得するのは、依然米国が率先すべき仕事だ。

Russia has offered to mediate. But right now, the entire international community should stand together and deal with the situation as one. The United States, Russia and European nations need to discuss concerted action at the United Nations Security Council. And the rest of the international community, including Japan, should support such efforts.
　ロシアが仲介の意向を示してはいるが、ここは国際社会が一致して対処する態勢を固めるべきだ。米欧とロシアは国連安保理などで協調行動を論議すべきだろう。そうした作業を、日本を含む国際社会も支えたい。

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 5
EDITORIAL: Lawmakers can't be allowed to obscure issues on Japan’s future course
（社説）通常国会開幕　「戦後の岐路」問う論戦を

This year’s ordinary Diet session convened on Jan. 4, immediately after the traditional three New Year holidays, an unusually early start of the national legislature’s work.
　通常国会がきのう開幕した。三が日が明けて早々、異例に早い召集となった。

This is an extremely important Diet session.
　極めて重要な国会である。

The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to initiate an amendment to the Constitution after the Upper House election slated for this summer.
　夏に参院選がある。安倍政権はその後、憲法改正の国会発議を視野に入れている。

The unusually early summoning of the Diet is a move to push ahead with a constitutional amendment.
　異例の早期召集は、そのための布石でもある。

The early beginning of the regular Diet session also makes it possible to hold simultaneous elections for both houses.
この時期の召集なら、衆参同日選も可能だ。

Although it is unclear if Abe will actually adopt this electoral tactic, simply having this option makes it easier for the ruling camp to create a division within the opposition bloc.
実際に踏み切るかはさておき、同日選の選択肢を手にするだけで野党を分断しやすくなる。

The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner, Komeito, already controls more than a two-thirds majority in the Lower House. The Abe administration is aiming to secure a two-thirds majority also in the Upper House to rewrite the Constitution. Such a presence in both chambers is needed to initiate any constitutional amendment process.
　衆院は自公両党で発議に必要な総議員の３分の２以上の勢力をもつが、参院でも３分の２の「改憲勢力」を確保したい。それが政権の狙いだ。

ABE CHANGES STANCE AFTER ELECTIONS
　■選挙前後の使い分け

At the Upper House election, Japanese voters will have to decide on whether to give Abe a clear and lopsided mandate to pursue his political agenda. The election could shape up as a major turning point for postwar Japan.
　「安倍１強政治」を加速させるか、転換させるか。夏の参院選は、戦後日本の大きな分岐点になる可能性がある。

This Diet session will offer an important opportunity for the public to think about the nation’s future course before the Upper House election. We urge both the ruling and opposition camps to hold in-depth debates on key policy issues to give the voting public a well-founded basis for their decisions at the polls.
　この国会は、国民にとって、参院選を前に日本の針路を考える重要な機会となる。判断材料となるような、深みのある論戦を与野党双方に求める。

In his New Year news conference on Jan. 4, Abe said he wants to start tackling “new challenges for building a new future for the nation” in 2016, stressing his policy efforts to create “a society where 100 million people will play active roles,” his vision for Japan’s future.
　「新しい国づくりへの新しい挑戦を始める年にしたい」
　安倍首相はきのうの年頭会見で抱負を語り、１億総活躍社会づくりなどを強調した。

But we cannot take these words at face value. The Abe administration has a history of emphasizing economic issues before elections and then forcing through its favorite policy initiatives by using the power of numbers after winning the polls. The administration has often used this political ploy on the strength won through an election.
　だが、額面通りには受け取れない。選挙前は経済最優先と言いながら、選挙に勝てば、自らこだわる政策を数の力で押し通す――。選挙至上主義とも言えるそうした政治手法が、安倍政権では際立つからだ。

This was the case after the 2013 Upper House election, when the administration successfully sought the enactment of the state secrets protection law, and also after the 2014 Lower House election, when it pursued, again successfully, the passage of new national security legislation.
　２０１３年の参院選後の特定秘密保護法のときも、１４年の総選挙後の安保法制のときも、そうだった。

Lawmakers of both the ruling and opposition camps now believe that Abe’s next political goal is a constitutional revision.
次は憲法改正を持ち出すだろう、というのが与野党一致した見方である。

In a late November meeting of a group of conservative politicians he himself leads, Abe made the following remark: “We need to recall the original political goal adopted (by the LDP) at its foundation, which was to change the various systems created during the period of occupation (of Japan by the Allied Powers), including amending the Constitution.”
　昨年１１月末、安倍首相は自ら率いる右派系議員の会合で、こう述べている。
　「憲法改正をはじめ、占領時代に作られた様々な仕組みを変えていこうという（自民党の）立党の原点を呼び起こさなければならない」

If the ruling coalition wins in simultaneous elections for both Diet houses, the administration will have three years to pursue its policy agenda without having to face any national poll. Even if Abe does not opt to dissolve the Lower House for simultaneous elections, a victory in the upper chamber will give the coalition more than two election-free years.
　仮に参院選で与党が勝てば、同日選なら３年間、参院選単独でも２年以上、大きな国政選挙に臨まなくても済む「時間」を手にすることになる。

That will create a political environment that allows the Abe administration to make even bolder political moves than those it has already taken, including initiating a constitutional amendment.
　改憲の発議を含め、これまで以上に思い切った手を打てる環境が整う。

BLOCK ATTEMPTS TO OBSCURE REAL ISSUES
　■争点隠しを許さない

The Abe administration has shown a clear tendency to change its policy narrative after elections in various areas, including the economy.
　「選挙前」と「選挙後」を使い分ける政権のやり方は、これにとどまらない。
　一つは、経済だ。

One typical approach used by the administration involves talking only about “benefits” for voters before elections, delaying any reference to a painful increase in the burden on taxpayers until after the polls.
　有権者受けする「給付」を先行させる一方、痛みを伴う「負担増」は選挙後に先送り。そんな手法が目立つ。

The draft supplementary budget for the current fiscal year, for instance, contains 330 billion yen ($2.77 billion) of spending to pay 30,000 yen each to old people with small pension pots.
　今年度補正予算案には、年金額が少ない高齢者に１人あたり３万円、総額３３００億円を配ることを盛り込んだ。

This spending will put a heavy financial burden on future generations while its beneficiaries include many people with ample assets.
低年金者には資産を多く持つ人もいるのに、巨額の給付のツケが将来世代に回される。

As for the proposed food exemptions from the scheduled consumption tax rate hike in April 2017, the administration has postponed its decision on how to finance the 1 trillion yen needed for the measure.
　１７年度から導入する消費税の軽減税率も、１兆円もの税収減の財源探しを先送りした。

The administration has also shown a habit of changing its political tune in the area of national security.
　もう一つは、安全保障だ。

Although the security legislation that passed the Diet last year is slated to come into force in March, the administration has decided to put off, until after the Upper House election, the addition of one important task to the list of new missions the Self-Defense Forces is expected to perform in United Nations peacekeeping operations under the laws.
The task is to rescue foreign forces or other organizations that have come under attack in areas away from the zone where the SDF is engaged in PKO activities.
　安保法制が３月に施行されるが、政権は国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）に派遣する自衛隊への「駆けつけ警護」任務の追加を参院選後に先送りする。

The administration has also postponed submitting a bill to the Diet that would revise Japan’s Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with the United States to expand the scope of the SDF’s logistic support for U.S. forces. The revision would allow the SDF to provide ammunition to U.S. forces, for example.
　米軍への弾薬提供など、後方支援を広げる日米物品役務相互提供協定（ＡＣＳＡ）改定案の国会提出も先送りだ。

Public opinion is sharply and equally divided over the security legislation. The administration apparently wants to avoid stirring up fresh public opposition to the legislation before the vital election.
　安保法制に対する世論は二分されている。重要な選挙を前にして、反発を再燃させたくないという判断だろう。

The opposition parties have the heavy responsibility to prevent the ruling camp from obscuring key policy issues during the last Diet session before the election and ensure in-depth discussions on these topics.
　選挙前の最後の論戦となる国会で、与党の「争点隠し」とも言える動きをどう覆し、議論を深めていくか。
　野党の責任は重い。

OPPOSITION PARTIES SHOULD SEEK BROAD COOPERATION
　■幅広い国民と連帯を

What kind of role should the opposition parties perform to counter the Abe administration’s dominant power?
　「安倍１強政治」に対抗するために、野党がいま、果たすべき役割は何か。

First and foremost, they should offer a realistic alternative to Abe’s government through effective maneuverings at the Diet, electoral cooperation and joint policymaking.
　まず国会対応や選挙協力、政策づくりを通じて、１強に代わりうる「もう一つの選択肢」を国民に示すことだ。

Calls for repealing the security legislation, which is strongly suspected to be unconstitutional, and protecting constitutionalism, which the Abe administration has failed to respect, can galvanize opposition parties into joining forces against the powerful ruling coalition.
　違憲の疑いが濃い安保法制を白紙に戻す。安倍政権が軽視する立憲主義を守る。それが結集軸になるはずだ。

As long as the opposition camp remains fragmented, there will be no political force that can effectively represent people concerned about the direction in which the government is trying to lead the nation.
　野党がバラバラなままでは、今の政治に危惧を抱く民意は行き場を見いだせない。

More than anything else, opposition parties need to seek cooperation with a broad spectrum of people by responding sympathetically to their wishes and concerns.
　そして何より、幅広い国民の思いや不安と共感しながら、連帯をはかることである。

Last year, the government’s initiative to enact the security legislation provoked various civil actions against the move, including demonstrations in front of the Diet building.
　昨年、安保法制をめぐって国会前の街頭活動など市民の動きが呼び起こされた。

What opposition parties should recall now is the fact that decisions on the future of the nation are, after all, up to the people with whom sovereign power resides.
　野党が改めて思い起こすべきは、国の針路を最終的に決めるのは、主権者たる国民だということだ。

The Diet can initiate constitutional amendments, but they must be approved by the people with a majority vote in a special referendum.
憲法改正も、国会議員による発議だけでは決まらない。国民投票による過半数の賛成が必要である。

The vital choice facing the nation is between politics simply driven by the power of a majority won through an election and politics more based on broad consensus built through sympathy and solidaity with the public.
　選挙での勝利や、議員の数の力で押し切る政治か。国民との共感と連帯に基づく、合意形成を重視するのか。

This choice offers hope for new politics.
　その問いに、新たな政治の可能性が見えてくる。

The voting age will be lowered to 18 from the current 20, starting with the Upper House election.
　今回の参院選から１８歳選挙権が認められる。

The Diet has a duty to debate key policy issues from a long-term perspective that encompasses not only the present but also the future when the new young voters will play leading roles in society.
　今だけでなく、彼らが生きて行く未来を見すえた論戦をしなければならない。

-- The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 1
EDITORIAL: We must heal dangerous divisions in the world
（社説）分断される世界　連帯の再生に向き合う年

A new year has arrived, with the world remaining to be plagued by deep and dangerous divisions.
　地球が、傷だらけで新年を迎えた。

Our world today is full of divisions due to racial, religious, economic, generational and various other factors.
　民族や宗教、経済、世代……。あらゆるところに亀裂が走っている。

Globalization is supposed to create a world where national borders become increasingly permeable and irrelevant, but, ironically, the world as we see it is crisscrossed with dividing lines.
国境を超越した空間を意味するはずのグローバル世界は今、皮肉なことにたくさんの分断線におおわれている。

To heal these divisions, world leaders should be striving to build a society where people can live with a sense of security by promoting reconciliation and removing inequalities.
　それを修復するために、和解を進め、不公平をなくし、安心できる社会を実現する――。
　それこそが指導者の使命であろう。

Regrettably, however, there are many political, religious and opinion leaders across the globe who try to promote their agendas by taking advantage of divisions in society. And such people often earn plaudits by doing so.
だが、むしろ社会の分断につけこむ政治家や宗教者、言論人も登場し、しばしば喝采を浴びている。

But there have also been some notable efforts to heal rifts and explore new forms of global consolidation. The 2015 United Nations climate change conference (COP21), held in Paris late last year, for instance, produced a landmark agreement on a new international framework for reducing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in the years after 2020. The breakthrough was made possible as countries united for a real solution to the challenge of stemming global warming, which transcends their parochial interests.
　他方、亀裂を埋めて新しい連帯の形を探す。そんな動きも出ている。たとえば昨年末、パリでの国連気候変動会議（ＣＯＰ２１）で、各国は地球温暖化対策で新しい枠組みに合意した。それぞれの思惑を超えた真の解決に向けて結束した。

The world needs to start its efforts in the new year to tackle the formidable challenges it faces today by confronting, one by one, the crises of solidarity and empathy threatening its future.
　新年の挑戦は、連帯と共感の危機にひとつひとつ向き合うことから始まる。

POLITICS TO DEEPEN RIFTS
　■溝を深める政治

The Islamic State (IS) is an extremist organization that tries to divide people by promoting its fanatic dogma.
　「イスラム国（ＩＳ）」は、狂信的な教義を掲げて人々の分断を謀る過激派組織だ。

The IS not only enslaves and kills people who refuse to obey it in areas it controls. The group is also working to create a deep rift between Muslims and the rest of the world by inciting hatred among Muslims toward other religions and cultures.
　支配地域で従わない人々を隷属化し殺害するだけではない。ほかの宗教や文化を憎悪の対象にしてイスラム教徒との間に深い溝を作ろうとしている。

How are people and countries who have become targets of terror attacks by the IS responding to the threat?
　その刃を向けられた側は、どう応えようとしているか。

In Europe, a wary attitude toward refugees from the Middle East and Muslim immigrants in the region has intensified sharply. In France and some other European countries, there is strong public support to xenophobic rightist parties.
　欧州では、中東からの難民やイスラム系移民層への警戒感が急速に強まった。フランスなどで、排他的な右翼政党の支持が高い。

In the United States, Donald Trump, the leading contender to become the Republican Party’s presidential nominee, has called for a “total and complete shutdown” of the country’s borders to Muslims and made some other outrageous proposals. He remains very popular.
米国では共和党の大統領候補選びで「イスラム教徒を入国禁止に」などと放言し続けるトランプ氏の人気が衰えない。

People such as Trump call for measures that create divisions to fight the efforts to create divisions by people like Muslim extremists. Their approaches are strangely similar to those of their supposed enemies in that they are designed to divide the world.
　分断に分断で対抗する。敵対し合っているはずの勢力が、世界を分断するという点では奇妙に共鳴し合っている。

Social rifts due to widening economic inequality are also becoming increasingly serious in many parts of the world.
　経済的な不平等の拡大による社会の亀裂も深刻化している。

According to a report released last year by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, in 2013 income gaps were the largest in the past 30 years in most of its 34 member countries. Assets are even more concentrated in the hands of the wealthy few than income, according to the OECD.
　経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）の昨年の発表によると、２０１３年に、大半の加盟国（３４カ国）の所得格差が過去３０年で最大になった。また、資産は所得以上に富裕層に集中しているという。

In his best-selling book “Capital in the Twenty-First Century,” which has attracted global attention, French economist Thomas Piketty points out that inequality can lead to serious social divisions. In a society with extreme levels of wealth concentration, Piketty maintains, people’s discontent triggers a revolution unless it is suppressed with an iron fist.
　フランスの経済学者ピケティ氏は、世界的に注目された大著「２１世紀の資本」のなかで、あまりに富の集中が進んだ社会では、人々の不満を強権で抑えつけるか、革命が起きるしかなくなる、と不平等がはらむ危険を指摘している。

SPIRIT OF BROTHERHOOD GONE AWRY
　■「同胞」意識の迷走

Japan is not free from the various divisions plaguing the world, either.
　日本もこうした多くの亀裂を免れているわけではない。

Japan cannot be described as a country eager to accept refugees, who number in the tens of millions in the world. Japan’s refugee policy doesn’t reflect any keen awareness of the unfolding crisis of solidarity.
　世界で数千万にのぼる難民の受け入れという点で積極的な国とは言えない。そこに連帯の危機への問題意識は低い。

Japan is no exception, either, to the global trend toward greater economic inequality.
　経済的な不平等についても例外国ではない。

In fact, income equality in this nation has widened to a level even higher than the average among the OECD countries.
それどころか所得格差はＯＥＣＤ平均を超えて広がっている。

The ratio of poverty among children and the percentage of non-regular workers in the overall workforce in Japan are both on the rise.
子どもの貧困率や雇用の非正規率も上昇している。

Japan is now a mere shadow of the country of equality it used to be.
かつての平等な国の姿はすっかり遠くなった。

Despite growing inequities, the proposed integrated tax and social security reform to improve the situation has been making little headway. Social solidarity in this nation is only weakening.
にもかかわらず、社会保障と税の一体改革もままならず、この国の社会的連帯は弱まるばかりだ。

The issue of the heavy concentration of U.S. military bases in Okinawa Prefecture is also causing a division in Japan. What many of the people in Okinawa are asking the mainland to do is to share the burden of hosting so many U.S. bases, which is simply too heavy for just one prefecture to keep bearing.
　沖縄の米軍基地問題も日本に分断を生んでいる。県民の多くが本土に求めるのは、一県には重すぎる負担の分担だ。

They are asking for help from their fellow countrymen.
「同胞」から「同胞」への支援要請である。

But the mainland has been making rather cool responses to Okinawa’s request for support. Political leaders in Tokyo have cast the issue as a partisan battle over security policy.
　しかし本土の反応は冷たい。政治は問題を安全保障をめぐる党派的な対立の構図に還元してしまう。

This attitude gives no hint of true nationalism, which creates empathy for and solidarity with fellow countrymen.
そこに「同胞」への共感と連帯をもたらす本来のナショナリズムは、見る影もない。

The kind of narrow-minded nationalism that tilts toward exclusion instead of embrace, like populism, causes society to become divided rather than united.
　「包摂」より「排除」に傾くナショナリズムは、ポピュリズムと同様に社会を統合するより分断する。

BEFORE DEMOCRACY COLLAPSES
　■民主主義壊れる前に

What is needed for the world to overcome the trend toward becoming more and more divided?
　克服には何が必要だろうか。

The agreement reached in the COP21 conference seems to be a result of a globally shared pragmatic recognition of the reality that countries cannot find a true solution to this challenge as long as they focus on trying to avoid bearing their fair share of the burden for the time being.
　ＣＯＰ２１の合意は、自分の負担を避けようとするだけでは、問題のほんとうの解決にはつながらないと、各国の間で実際的な考えが共有された成果ではないだろうか。

Eisaku Ide, an economics professor at Keio University who has received the “Osaragi Jiro Prize for Commentary” for his book “Keizai no jidai no shuen” (End of the age of economy), stresses the importance of pragmatic thinking.
　また、経済の視点から社会の分断を考察した「経済の時代の終焉（しゅうえん）」で大佛次郎論壇賞に決まった慶応義塾大学経済学部の井手英策教授も、実際的な考え方の重要性を指摘する。

Ide, who studied social divisions from the economic viewpoint in the book, says in Japan a deep rift has emerged between high- and middle-income groups on the one hand and the low-income class on the other, rapidly eroding empathy among people for other members of society.
　教授によると、日本では中高所得層と低所得層の間に溝ができ、人々の間の共感が消滅しつつある。

What is crucial for fixing this problem, Ide argues, is not any ideology or doctrine but the pragmatic recognition that people gain from mutual help by becoming beneficiaries and happy people themselves.
修復には理念ではなく「お互い助け合った方が得をする、自分も受益者になる、幸せになるという視点が必要だ」と話す。

The effectiveness of promoting people’s understanding of the benefits of pursuing practical solutions rather than doctrines and ideologies offers an important insight into the efforts to revive solidarity and empathy in society.
　理念より実際的な解決への理解を広める。連帯や共感の再生への取り組みを可能にするための重要な手がかりではないか。

Social divisions pose a serious threat to democracy. People stop respecting political decisions unless they feel that they have been involved in making the decisions.
　社会の分断は民主主義にとって脅威だ。「私たちみんなで決めた」という感覚がなければ、人々は政治的な決定を尊重しようとはしなくなる。

This situation then causes society to be divided further into smaller groups in a vicious cycle.
そしてそれはさらに社会を細分化する悪循環を招く。

We must confront our society’s illness of becoming more and more divided and make effective efforts to enhance policies and opinions that refuse to take advantage of such divisions.
　私たちの社会が抱える分断という病理を直視し、そこにつけ込まない政治や言論を強くしていかなければならない。

We must do so before the problem becomes so serious as to ruin democracy.
　民主主義さえも台無しにするほどに深刻化する前に。

The Yomiuri Shimbun
International community must solidify its unity against ISIL
脅威増す世界　対「イスラム国」で結束強めよ

　◆米主導の秩序をどう維持するか◆

The threat of terrorism stemming from extremism is shaking the U.S.-led international order based on law and democracy.
　過激思想によるテロの脅威が、米国主導の法と民主主義に基づく国際秩序を揺さぶっている。

About 25,000 foreign fighters from over 100 countries have joined the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), an extremist group based in Syria and Iraq. There has also been a stream of so-called “homegrown terrorism,” with young people who were raised in the United States or Europe, and influenced by radical beliefs, committing violent acts within their native countries.
　シリアとイラクを拠点とする過激派組織「イスラム国」には、１００か国以上の外国人戦闘員約２万５０００人が参加する。感化された欧米の若者が自国で犯行に及ぶ「ホームグロウン・テロ」も続発している。

Terrorism is an issue that is not exclusive to such regions as the Middle East or Europe. It is a challenge that must be addressed by the whole world. The international community must stand together, with the United States taking the lead, to continue fighting a protracted battle.
　テロはもはや中東や欧州などの地域にとどまらない。世界全体で取り組むべき課題である。米国を中心に国際社会が結束して、息の長い戦いを続けねばならない。

President must lead
　◆次期大統領は指導力を

In the November U.S. presidential election, major points of contention will include Washington’s measures to fight the ISIL, its policy on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement and its rebalancing to Asia policy. We hope in-depth discussions will be conducted through the election campaigns in a direction that will encourage the United States to take a more leading role.
　１１月の米大統領選では、「イスラム国」対策をはじめ、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）、「アジア重視」政策などが主要な争点になる。選挙戦を通じて、米国がより指導的な役割を果たす方向で議論が深まることを期待したい。

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, has emphasized that “if the United States does not lead, there is not another leader, there is a vacuum and we have to lead.” Her remarks likely express her desire for more U.S. involvement on the diplomatic front.
　民主党の候補争いでトップを走るヒラリー・クリントン前国務長官は、「米国以外にリーダーはいない。米国が主導しなければ、力の空白が生まれる」と強調している。外交面で米国の関与を拡大する意欲の表れだろう。

If the United States falls into isolationism, there will be a power vacuum in various parts of the world, as Clinton has asserted, and turmoil will spread around the globe.
　米国が孤立主義に陥れば、クリントン氏の主張する通り、世界各地で「力の空白」が生じ、混乱が広がるだけである。

It is a matter of concern that Donald Trump, a real estate giant who aims to win the Republican presidential nomination, has been gaining popularity with his extreme remarks, including a call for banning all Muslims from entering the United States.
　懸念されるのは、共和党の大統領候補指名を目指す不動産王ドナルド・トランプ氏が、イスラム教徒の入国禁止案など極端な発言で人気を集めていることだ。

Trump may run out of steam as the presidential race gets into full swing. But the fact that he has so far retained strong support, despite his extreme remarks, may indicate U.S. citizens’ dissatisfaction with the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama.
　選挙戦の本格化に伴い、トランプ氏が失速する可能性はある。それでも、根強い支持を保ってきたところに、国民のオバマ政権への不満が見てとれる。

From the bitter lessons learned from the fatalities of U.S. soldiers and increased anti-American sentiment due to the Iraq war, Obama has maintained a policy of not sending large numbers of ground combat troops to areas of conflict. We can understand his belief that long-lasting stability cannot be built in the Middle East just through the power of U.S. forces.
　オバマ大統領は、イラク戦争後の米兵の犠牲や反米感情の増大に苦しんだ教訓から、紛争地に大規模な地上戦闘部隊を派遣しない方針を維持してきた。米軍の力だけで中東に長期的な安定は築けないという考えは理解できる。

Ease sectarian strife
　◆宗派対立緩和が不可欠

Yet his administration’s measures for wiping out the ISIL have been one step behind. It is questionable that Obama has been deciding to increase U.S. airstrikes and inject special forces every time local situations deteriorate. Washington must build a solid strategy.
　だが、「イスラム国」掃討作戦では、対応は後手に回った。現地情勢が悪化するたびに、米軍の空爆拡大や特殊部隊の逐次投入を決めているのは疑問だ。確固とした戦略を構築する必要があろう。

Many countries in the Middle East have seen their turmoil deepen with civil war and sectarian struggles.
　中東の多くの国は、内戦や宗派対立で混迷を深めている。

In Syria, it is important to create an environment in which Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government and anti-regime groups reach a truce so the United States, Europe and Russia can concentrate on fighting against ISIL.
　シリアでは、アサド政権と反体制派が停戦し、米欧露が「イスラム国」との戦いに集中できる環境を作り出すことが肝要である。

The international agreement that established a road map for a truce and a transition of power should be steadily implemented.
停戦と政権移行の行程を定めた国際合意を着実に履行すべきだ。

ISIL is nothing but a terrorist organization that has borrowed the name of a religion. Decisive action must be taken against its propaganda war, which fans the flames of hatred against Western society through the Internet. ISIL cannot be eradicated without the support of moderate Muslims for the United States and Europe.
　「イスラム国」は、宗教に名を借りたテロ集団にほかならない。インターネットを通じて米欧社会への憎悪を煽あおる宣伝戦には断固とした対処が求められる。穏健なイスラム教徒が米欧に協力する構図にしなければ、撲滅できまい。

Iraq, Libya and Yemen share the same problem with Syria — the absence of a government that can control a whole country and unite various religious and ethnic groups allows the emergence of radicals. The international community must help change these situations with diplomatic arbitrations and financial support.
　イラクやリビア、イエメンも、シリアと同じ問題を抱える。全土を掌握し、多様な宗派と民族を束ねるような政権の不在が過激派の台頭を許している。国際社会は外交調停や資金支援によって後押しすることが欠かせない。

The United States and Europe will begin to lift economic sanctions against Iran as early as in January, based on their agreement with Tehran on its nuclear development. Iran has influence over Syria and other places, and should be involved in the process of stabilizing the Middle East. Countries concerned should also keep an eye on Iran so Tehran will not violate the nuclear accord.
　イランでは核開発問題に関する合意に伴い、今月にも米欧の経済制裁解除が始まる。シリア情勢などに影響力を持つイランを引き込み、中東の安定につなげたい。核合意が破られないよう、関係国が監視を続けることも大切である。

Russia is supporting the Assad government and heightening its military intervention in Syria. Russia is still at odds with Turkey, which shot down a Russian military plane.
　ロシアはアサド政権を支援し、シリアへの軍事介入を強めている。露軍機を撃墜したトルコと対立したままだ。

Moscow is increasingly making its annexation of Crimea a fait accompli, and the ceasefire agreement between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russia militants in the eastern part of Ukraine is not being observed.
　ロシアのクリミア併合は既成事実化が進む。ウクライナ東部の政府軍と親露派武装勢力の停戦合意も順守されていない。

Despite economic sanctions by the United States and Europe on Russia, President Vladimir Putin maintains his tough stance. He probably aims to challenge the U.S.-led international order. His attempt to change the status quo with military power should not be tolerated any longer.
　米欧の経済制裁にもかかわらず、プーチン大統領が強硬姿勢を貫くのは、米国が主導する国際秩序に挑戦する狙いがあるからではないか。軍事力による現状変更をこのまま許してはならない。

Measures for refugees
　◆難民対応が重い課題だ

The European Union is facing a challenge. The number of refugees and immigrants flowing into that region from Africa and the Middle East has exceeded 1 million. Some of the perpetrators of the terrorist attacks in Paris have disguised themselves as refugees to enter Europe.
　欧州連合（ＥＵ）は試練に直面している。中東、アフリカなどから流入した難民と移民は、１００万人を超えた。パリ同時テロでは犯行グループの一部が難民に紛れて入り込んでいた。

Opposition to accepting refugees is spreading in East European and other countries. How can the EU strike a balance between its ideal of European integration and maintaining security? The refugee issue presents an enormous challenge to the EU.
　東欧を中心に、難民受け入れに対する反発が広がっている。欧州統合というＥＵの理念と治安維持をどう両立するか、重い課題が突きつけられたと言えよう。

The EU is discussing with other entities the creation of an organization to guard its borders with countries outside the EU. It is urgent for the EU to regain the public’s trust regarding security maintenance, with thorough enforcement of border controls with countries outside the region.
　ＥＵが主体となって域外との国境を警備する組織の創設が検討されている。域外国との国境管理の徹底を通じて、治安への信頼を取り戻すことが急務だ。

A huge number of refugees is expected to flow into Europe this year as well, so the support of the international community in that regard is essential. Japan should keep making contributions such as humanitarian assistance to Europe.
　欧州には、今年も難民の大量流入が予想される。国際社会全体の支援が不可欠だ。日本も人道援助などで貢献を続けたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 3, 2016)

頭を使わなくて稼げるのが魅力です

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Iron-fisted rule of Chinese govt causes delays in fighting air pollution
中国大気汚染　環境改善を遅らせる強権統治

China’s air pollution can be described as a due consequence of the nation’s efforts to achieve economic growth at any cost, combined with delays in improving the situation as a result of the Chinese Communist Party’s one-party dictatorship established to rule the country with an iron fist.
　成長至上主義のツケに加えて、中国共産党の一党独裁による強権統治が事態の改善を遅らせていると言えよう。

Many parts of China are experiencing serious air contamination. In December, Beijing’s municipal authorities issued red alerts twice, signaling the worst-level pollution in the city.
　中国各地が深刻な大気汚染に見舞われている。北京市当局は今月、２度にわたって、最悪レベルの汚染を示す「赤色警報」を発令した。

In some sections of Beijing, the density of fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, known as PM2.5, topped 700 micrograms per cubic meter — 20 times greater than the level set in Japan’s environmental standards.
　北京の一部地域では、直径２・５マイクロ・メートル以下の微小粒子状物質（ＰＭ２・５）の濃度が１立方メートルあたり日本の環境基準の２０倍に相当する７００マイクロ・グラムを超えた。

The red alerts were kept in place for about seven days, during which emergency measures were enforced, including traffic restrictions aimed at nearly halving the passage of vehicles and a halt in the operation of factories. There also are concerns about the adverse effects incurred on the Japanese community in the city. The school for local Japanese students was temporarily closed, while Japanese corporations switched to work-at-home operations during the period.
　警報期間中の計約７日間、通行車両をほぼ半減させる交通規制や工場の稼働停止などの緊急措置をとった。日本人学校が休校し、日系企業が在宅勤務に切り替わるなど邦人社会への影響も心配だ。

Forcible traffic controls were also enforced during a summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in the autumn of 2014 and a military parade in September.
　強引な交通規制などは、昨秋のアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議や今年９月の軍事パレードでも実施された。

We feel the restrictions may have been intended, first and foremost, to save face for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s administration during these important events. Just repeating such ad hoc measures will do little to fundamentally resolve the problem.
　重要行事の際に、習近平政権のメンツを保つのが最大の目的だったのではないか。こうした場当たりな対応を繰り返すだけでは、抜本的解決は図れまい。

The cause of China’s worsening air pollution is such pollutants as sooty smoke from combusted coal and exhaust from automobiles powered by low-quality gasoline. Long-term, persistent anti-pollution efforts are indispensable for rectifying the situation.
　大気汚染悪化の原因は、石炭を燃やす際に生じる煤煙ばいえんや低品質のガソリンを使った自動車の排ガスなどだ。改善には、長期的で粘り強い取り組みが欠かせない。

Words don’t match actions

The Chinese government has expressed its readiness to attach great importance to the fight against environmental problems, including a plan to enforce the revised air pollution prevention law early in the new year.
　政権は、改正大気汚染防止法を年明けに施行するなど環境対策を重視する姿勢は示している。

China has proclaimed it will stand by the rule of law, but the independence of the judiciary is nowhere to be seen in that country. The swift disclosure of information is indispensable in this respect, but provincial government bureaucrats, by and large, have little awareness of what should be done. They also have an extremely strong tendency to cover up inconvenient things.
　だが、中国では「法治」を掲げながら、「司法の独立」はない。迅速な情報公開が不可欠にもかかわらず、地方官僚の意識は概おおむね低く、隠蔽体質も甚だしい。

It may be difficult to reform the collusive relations between corporations and regional authorities, as priority is given to economic interests and consequently aggravates the spread of pollution.
　経済的な利益を優先し、汚染の蔓延まんえんを助長してきた地方当局と企業の癒着の構造にメスを入れるのは難しいだろう。

In the spring of 2015, steps were taken to make it impossible to watch an Internet video that had caused a stir by denouncing the authorities over the air pollution problem. It is important for nongovernmental organizations and the media to keep watch on corporations. However, the fact is that the Chinese government is increasing restrictions on NGOs and news organs.
　今春、大気汚染を巡って当局を告発し、大反響を呼んだインターネット動画は閲覧不能になった。民間活動団体（ＮＧＯ）やメディアによる企業に対する監視が重要だが、政権はむしろＮＧＯや報道への締め付けを強めている。

If the current situation goes unchecked, China’s pledge to curtail greenhouse gas emissions in the anti-global warming fight could be reduced to an empty slogan.
　このままでは、地球温暖化問題を巡って表明した温室効果ガス削減の公約すら、そらぞらしい。

The Xi administration has said it will pursue the goal of transforming the country, by the end of 2020, into a “society with breathing space,” in which people feel somewhat comfortably off. In trying to achieve this objective, there is a pressing need for China to make all-out environmental efforts, to say nothing of the need to improve the living standards of its people.
　習政権は２０２０年までに、いくらかゆとりのある「小康社会」の構築を目標に掲げている。実現には、国民の生活水準の向上は無論、環境対策の徹底が急務だ。

China’s air pollution cannot be treated as having nothing to do with Japan. PM2.5 and other pollutants come flying into our nation, carried by the prevailing westerlies. Japan must continue to promote environmental cooperation with China while at the same time urging that nation to become serious about addressing the problem.
　中国の大気汚染は日本にとってもひとごとではない。ＰＭ２・５などが偏西風に乗って飛来している。日本は環境協力を進める一方、中国が対応に本腰を入れるよう促し続けねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Dec. 31, 2015)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
2016: Japan must fulfill its duties to ensure world stability
世界の安定へ重い日本の責務

　◆成長戦略を一層強力に進めたい

How do we restore stability to the international order? The world is now facing a critical challenge.
　国際秩序の安定をどう取り戻すか。世界は今、大きな試練に直面している。

The indiscriminate terrorist attacks in Paris by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) extremist group caused great distress to international community. In reaction to the wave of terrorism and the huge influx of refugees from the Middle East, exclusionary moves are gaining momentum in Europe and in the United States.
　過激派組織「イスラム国」によるパリでの無差別テロは、国際社会に大きな衝撃を与えた。テロの拡散と、中東からの難民の激増を受けて、欧州や米国で排他的な動きが強まっている。

Attempts to change the status quo by force are rampant as Russia’s annexation of Crimea continues and China continues to build military strongholds on artificial islands in the South China Sea.
　ロシアのクリミア併合は長期化し、中国が南シナ海で人工島の軍事拠点化を進めるなど、力による現状変更の試みもやまない。

The world looks as if it is going to fall apart as freedom, equality, rule of law and other values that should be deemed as common falter. If the international order collapses, Japan’s security also will be threatened. We need to be more aware of impending crises and confront the threats squarely.
　自由や平等、法の支配といった共通であるべき価値観が揺らぎ、世界は分断へと向かっているかのようだ。国際秩序が崩壊すれば日本の安全も脅かされる。危機感を強めて向き合わねばならない。

A presidential election will be held in the United States this year. The country’s leadership will be on the wane. Japan, under such circumstances, will host the Group of Seven summit (Ise-Shima summit) and also become a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council. Responsibilities heavier than ever before will be thrust upon Japan to help unite international community and coordinate varying interests.
　米国が大統領選を迎え、指導力が低下する今年、日本は主要国首脳会議（伊勢志摩サミット）を主催し、国連安全保障理事会の非常任理事国に就任する。国際社会の結束や利害調整に、これまでにない重い責務が課される。

Domestically, it has the urgent task of boosting economic growth as the population dwindles. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration, along with its initiative to promote “a society that enables the dynamic engagement of all citizens,” will face the judgment of voters in the House of Councillors election in summer. A plan to further ensure economic recovery should be initiated.
　国内では、人口減少が進む中で成長力の底上げが急務だ。「１億総活躍社会」を掲げる安倍政権は、今夏、参院選で有権者の審判を受ける。経済再生をより確かにする道筋を示す必要がある。

To brighten the future of Japan in a tumultuous world, we hope this will be a year of progress.
　鳴動する世界の中で、日本の未来を明るいものにするため、歩を進める年にしたい。

‘Antiterrorism’ unity urgent
　◆「対テロ」連携が急務だ

Young people and others who sympathize with the extremist ideas of ISIL are wounding and killing defenseless people around them. Terrorist acts have spread around the world. Fear is inducing actions to eliminate anything that is foreign.
　「イスラム国」の過激思想に同調した若者らが、周囲の無防備な市民を殺傷するテロが世界に広がった。恐怖が、異質なものを排除する動きにつながっている。

Within the boundaries of the European Union, border inspections are being reinstalled one after another — contrary to the Schengen Agreement, which in principle states that such inspections are unnecessary. The idea of free movement of persons, a cornerstone of European integration, is wavering.
　欧州連合（ＥＵ）では、国境検査を不要とするシェンゲン協定の原則に反し、検査を復活する動きが相次ぐ。統合理念である「人の移動の自由」が揺らいでいる。

Even in the United States, a nation of immigrants, an undercurrent of refusing the entry of refugees and Muslims has gained strength.
　移民国家である米国でも、難民やイスラム教徒の受け入れを拒絶する空気が勢いを増した。

If the movement of people, goods and capital across borders is threatened, this could indeed become a destabilizing factor for the world economy.
　人、モノ、資金の国境を越えた移動が脅かされれば、世界経済の不安定要因ともなる。

The world does not have a future unless we are victorious in the “war on terror” to eliminate the threat posed by ISIL and contain acts of violence.
　「イスラム国」の脅威を除去し、暴力行為を封じ込める「テロとの戦い」に勝利しなければ、世界の未来はない。

The Syrian civil war is the epicenter of all this. The United States, European nations, Russia, Turkey and other countries involved should coordinate efforts swiftly with regard to military operations and transition of power.
　震源地であるシリアの内戦終結へ、米欧露、トルコなど関係国は、軍事作戦と体制移行をめぐる協調を急ぐべきだ。

ISIL has declared that Japan is also a terrorism target.
　「イスラム国」は日本もテロの標的だと明言している。

With the upcoming summit in mind, antiterrorist measures within Japan’s boundaries are inadequate. If information-gathering on extremist groups and steps taken to prevent terrorism based on such information are inadequate, Japan will end up as the weakest link in international efforts to fight terrorism.
　サミットを控えた国内テロ対策には不安が残る。過激組織の情報収集や、集めた情報に基づいてテロを未然に防ぐ手だてが不十分では、日本が対テロの国際的連携の空白地帯になってしまう。

The legal system should be inspected for any flaws and revamped to fulfill Japan’s political responsibilities.
　法制度に不備がないか点検し、改善するのが政治の責務だ。

China’s maritime territorial claims in the South China Sea are baseless under international law. However, they are aiming to make these claims a fait accompli. Actions that threaten the safety of the sea line of communication are contrary to the interests of international community.
　中国は南シナ海で、国際法上の根拠のない領海主張の既成事実化を図っている。海上交通路（シーレーン）の安全を脅かす行為は国際社会の利益に反する。

To rein in such moves, the United States has sent warships to areas surrounding the artificial islands and engaged in other operations.
　米国は人工島周辺の艦艇航行などによる牽制けんせいに踏み出した。

It is necessary for Japan, Australia, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to further strengthen cooperation and use every opportunity including international forums to demand that China restrain itself.
日豪印や東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）も連帯を強め、国際会議などあらゆる場面で中国に自制を求める行動を続ける必要がある。

In order to counter Chinese pressure in areas surrounding the Senkaku Islands, the security-related laws must be implemented properly to enhance the deterrent powers of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　尖閣諸島周辺などでの中国の圧力に抗するには、安全保障関連法を適切に運用し、日米同盟の抑止力を高めねばならない。

Make good use of security laws
　◆安保法制の有効運用を

China, the world’s second-largest economic power, is currently experiencing a worsening business slowdown.
　世界２位の経済大国でもある中国の景気は減速を強めている。

The state of affairs could disturb the world due to such factors as a drop in resource prices. Developed nations — including Britain and Germany, both of which are becoming closer to China in economic terms — should make concerted efforts to cope with the situation. In pursuit of that goal, these countries should urge China to trim excessive production capacity and promote other structural reforms.
　資源価格の下落などを通じて世界を混乱させかねない。中国経済への接近を強める英独も含め、先進国が足並みをそろえて、過剰な生産能力の解消など、構造改革を中国に促していくべきだ。

In addressing issues such as those related to North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles and the Ukraine situation, Japan should also strive to form a consensus among pertinent nations at the summit meeting and U.N. conferences.
　北朝鮮の核・ミサイル問題、ウクライナ情勢などをめぐっても、日本はサミットや国連の場で、関係国の合意形成に努めたい。

Three years have passed since the inauguration of the second administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Despite corporations’ improved business performance and higher stock prices, the sentiment that the economy has improved has not prevailed. As circumstances stand now, little headway is being made in efforts to achieve economic revitalization through the Abenomics economic policy.
　第２次安倍政権の発足から３年がたった。企業業績や株価は上昇したが、景気回復の実感は広がらない。「アベノミクス」による経済再生は足踏み状態にある。

The root of this situation is clear. The government’s growth strategy has not yet fully worked to fight a decline in the nation’s potential growth rate due to a population decrease.
　原因は、はっきりしている。人口減少に伴う潜在成長率の低下に対抗する成長戦略が、まだ十分に効果を発揮していないためだ。

The prime minister has unveiled a fresh set of policy targets dubbed the “new three arrows,” the first of which will seek to raise our nation’s gross domestic product to ¥600 trillion in nominal terms. Reinforcing the growth policy is the only way to achieve that goal.
　安倍首相は新政策目標「新３本の矢」を打ち出し、１本目に「名目ＧＤＰ（国内総生産）６００兆円」を掲げた。実現には成長政策を一段と強めるしか道はない。

Required measures include promoting deregulation in the fields of medical and nursing care services, agriculture and others. Efforts should be made to ensure that technological advancement in such fields as information technology and robotics lead to further industrial development. It is also necessary to make the most of a broad agreement reached in multilateral talks over the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact last year.
　医療・介護、農業などの分野で規制緩和を進める。ＩＴ、ロボットなどの技術進歩を産業振興につなげる。昨年、大筋合意に達した環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）を最大限に活用する。

The measures hammered out up to now should be reinforced to ensure that their purposes are better served.
　今までに打ち出された施策を深化させ、実効性を高めたい。

Another case in point is how to make efficient use of such resources as household financial assets totaling a hefty ¥1.7 quadrillion and internal reserves worth ¥350 trillion kept at corporations. The question is whether there are any ways to better use these resources for the pursuit of growth. It is necessary to exercise wisdom in devising bold new policy measures.
　さらに、約１７００兆円に上る家計の金融資産や、３５０兆円に達した企業の内部留保などを、もっと成長に生かすための手段はないか。大胆で新しい政策に知恵を絞ることも重要だ。

It has been about 25 years since the collapse of the bubble economy. Under protracted deflation, households and corporations became strongly negative about spending money, a state of mind that is firmly entrenched among them. Few households are willing to increase consumption, despite expanded employment and higher wages. Meanwhile, corporations remain cautious about investment, notwithstanding their success in generating profits at record high levels.
　バブル経済の崩壊から約２５年。長いデフレ下で家計や企業に染みついた後ろ向きの心理状態は、なお根深いものがある。雇用や賃金が増えても、家計は消費を増やさない。企業は過去最高水準の利益を上げても投資に慎重だ。

Dispel fear of spending
　◆家計と企業の不安除け

To lay such a deflationary mind-set to rest and elicit positive behavior, it is necessary to implement measures aimed at dispelling the anxieties felt by households and corporations.
　そんなデフレマインドを払拭し、前向きな行動を呼び起こすには、家計、企業それぞれの不安を取り除く政策が必要だ。

Nonregular employees account for a considerable 40 percent of the total labor force. Lower wages and unstable employment status leave such workers apprehensive about their future. Therefore, nonregular employees are reluctant to increase consumption despite hikes in their wages.
　雇用者に占める非正規雇用の割合は４割に達する。低賃金で身分が安定しない非正規雇用では、将来に不安が残り、賃金が増えても消費を増やす気にならない。

The second arrow to be released as part of Abe’s new policy package is to achieve the hopeful fertility rate target of 1.8 — a numerical goal that would be accomplished if women had babies as they wished. The third one is to attain the goal of making sure no one must quit his or her job to provide nursing care for relatives.
　新３本の矢の２、３本目の目標は「希望出生率１・８」と「介護離職ゼロ」の実現だ。

We believe the government is on the right track as it seeks to dispel the anxiety felt by people about raising their children and nursing their relatives, combined with efforts to increase the workforce, including women. However, such efforts alone will not be enough to achieve the intended goals.
子育てや介護の不安を解消し、女性を含む労働力の増加を目指す方向は正しいが、それだけでは足りない。

Further efforts are needed to help nonregular workers, who tend to be younger employees, to become regular workers. Companies should reform work methods, such as by reducing long working hours and helping employees develop their skills and abilities, to give people in the workforce a brighter future.
　若年層を中心に非正規から正規雇用への転換を進めねばならない。職業能力開発や長時間労働の改善などの働き方改革で、働く人に明るい未来を提示すべきだ。

Corporate anxiety originates from the view that Japan’s shrinking population will cause domestic markets to shrink, which will make turning a profit impossible even if a company makes investments. It is important to push ahead with ongoing efforts to widely lift the aspirations of businesses, such as by easing regulations in an effort to create new markets.
　企業の不安は、人口減で国内市場が縮小し、投資しても利益が得られないとの見方に起因する。新市場創出を狙う規制緩和などは、企業の要望を広く吸い上げつつ進めることが大事だ。

Discussions between the public and private sectors, namely between the government and the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) and other entities, resulted in the effective corporate tax rate being trimmed ahead of schedule. We hope both sides will continue to productively use forums in which they can exchange opinions.
　政府と経団連などとの官民対話で、法人実効税率引き下げの前倒しが実現した。今後も意見交換の場として有効活用したい。

In industrial circles, there are demands for a reduction in electricity charges, which have remained at a high level, to help cut operating costs. To achieve this, it will be necessary to restart nuclear power plants that have been confirmed safe to operate, and to steadily construct new plants.
　産業界は、経営コスト低減のため、高止まりした電力料金の引き下げを求めている。安全が確認された原子力発電所の再稼働や新増設を着実に進める必要がある。

To eliminate people’s unease about the future, it will be essential to restore the health of the central government’s finances, which are in a critical state, and to maintain a stable social security system.
　国民の将来不安の解消には、危機的状況にある国の財政の健全化を図り、安定した社会保障制度を維持することも欠かせない。

The government has set a target of achieving a surplus in the primary balance in fiscal 2020. To reach this goal, the government should continue to seek ways to spend its money more efficiently, and not rely too much on recent efforts to increase tax revenue.
　政府は、２０２０年度に基礎的財政収支を黒字化する目標の実現へ、最近の税収増に気を緩めず、歳出効率化を進めるべきだ。

In April 2017, the consumption tax rate will be hiked to 10 percent. This tax is a source of funds for social security. The rate increase must be implemented smoothly, alongside the introduction of a reduced tax rate.
　社会保障財源である消費税の税率は１７年４月に１０％へ引き上げられる。軽減税率導入を含め、混乱なく実施しなければならない。

Political stability is crucial for dealing with the pile of domestic and international problems facing Japan. A long-term administration that can smoothly communicate with leaders of other nations has major advantages when it comes to enabling Japan to play its role, especially on the international political stage.
　内外に山積する課題をこなしていくには、政治の安定が不可欠だ。とくに国際政治の舞台で日本が役割を果たすには、各国首脳との意思疎通が円滑になる長期政権のメリットは大きい。

Abe govt’s footing depends on poll
　◆政権安定度占う参院選

This summer’s upper house election will portend whether Abe can maintain a stable administration for an even longer period.
　参院選は、安倍首相がより長期で安定した政権を維持できるかどうかを占うものとなる。

If the LDP wins a majority in the upper house on its own, it would be the first time in 27 years. However, the LDP’s recovery in recent years has been strongly supported by the cooperation of its coalition partner, Komeito, in elections. Even if the LDP emerges victorious in this election, it will not be in a position to be completely optimistic about the future.
　自民党が単独過半数を占めれば２７年ぶりだ。しかし、近年の自民党の復調は、連立を組む公明党との選挙協力に支えられている面が強い。勝利しても決して楽観できる情勢ではない。

A major focus of this election will be whether forces positive about revising the Constitution — including the LDP, Komeito, Osaka Ishin no Kai and the Party for Japanese Kokoro — will be able to gain more than two-thirds of the seats.
　参院選では、自民、公明の与党に、おおさか維新の会、日本のこころを大切にする党なども含めた憲法改正に積極的な勢力で、３分の２を上回るかも焦点になる。

Opinion is widely split over whether the Constitution should be revised. Before getting into a confrontation over the merits or otherwise of revising the top law, precisely what the nation wants from the Constitution needs to be debated in detail. Serious consideration should be given to including an emergency-related article that defines preparations to be made to better cope with major disasters.
　憲法改正をめぐっては、賛否が大きく分かれる。だが、改正の是非で対立する以前に、憲法に今、何が求められるのかを具体的に議論する必要がある。大災害が発生した場合に備える緊急事態条項などは、真剣に検討すべきだ。

The planned transfer of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station to Henoko, Okinawa Prefecture, has been dragged into the courts as a case between the prefectural and central governments. We think shifting the base from its current location in Ginowan in the prefecture to Henoko is the most realistic option for maintaining the deterrent of U.S. forces stationed in Japan while simultaneously easing Okinawa’s burden of hosting U.S. military bases.
　米軍普天間飛行場の辺野古への移設は、沖縄県と政府の法廷闘争に持ち込まれた。在日米軍の抑止力維持と、沖縄の基地負担軽減を両立させるには、辺野古移設が最も現実的な選択肢だ。

The central government needs to steadily move ahead with this plan while continuing efforts to win the understanding of Okinawa residents and authorities.
　地元の理解を得る努力を続け、着実に前進させる必要がある。

Opposition parties and other groups have reacted angrily to the base transfer to Henoko and to last year’s passage of security-related bills. It is vital to debate the specifics of where the problems reside and attempt to form a consensus. This is especially so for issues requiring a long-term perspective, such as constitutional revision.
　辺野古移設や安全保障関連法をめぐっては、野党などの反発も強い。憲法改正もそうだが、長期的視野が必要な問題では特に、具体的に問題の所在を議論し、合意形成を図っていかねばならない。

During last year’s deliberations on the security bills, opposition parties constantly resorted to emotional objections. Using such tactics again would be troublesome. The public demands fruitful policy debates conducted with a sense of urgency.
　野党も、昨年の安全保障法制の審議のように、情緒的な反対論ばかりでは困る。緊張感を持った実のある政策論議が求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 1, 2016)