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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
Prepare environment to promote mutual visits between Abe, Putin
日露外相会談　首脳往来の環境を整備したい

Continuing high-level talks with Russia is essential in order to make progress on the issue of the northern territories. Persistent effort is the key.
　北方領土問題の進展には、ロシアと高いレベルの対話を粘り強く続けることが欠かせない。

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, in Tokyo on Friday. The two agreed to prepare for a summit meeting in Russia’s southern city of Sochi in early May.
　岸田外相が、来日したロシアのラブロフ外相と会談し、５月上旬にロシア南部ソチで日露首脳会談を行う方向で準備を進めることで一致した。

At a joint press conference, Kishida referred to the issue of the northern territories, saying: “We had a positive discussion aimed at formulating a solution acceptable to both sides, which I believe will bring momentum to the negotiations.”
　岸田氏は共同記者会見で、北方領土問題について「双方に受け入れ可能な解決策を作成すべく、交渉に弾みを与える前向きな議論が行えた」と強調した。

Lavrov responded by saying that Moscow is ready to continue dialogue with Tokyo. Compared with the stubborn attitude he showed after his September meeting with Kishida — Lavrov at that time unilaterally denied that they had even discussed the northern territories at the meeting — we can say that the Russian minister was more flexible this time.
　ラブロフ氏は「対話を継続する用意がある」と応じた。昨年９月の外相会談後、領土問題を議題としたことさえ一方的に否定した硬直的な態度と比べれば、柔軟姿勢を示したと言えよう。

The atmosphere surrounding the diplomacy between Tokyo and Moscow is not bad. Since autumn, the two countries have held repeated exchanges between lawmakers as well as talks between senior government officials.
　昨年秋以降は、議員交流や高官協議が続いており、日露外交の雰囲気自体は悪くない。

Russian President Vladimir Putin embraced Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s envisaged visit to Sochi. He told reporters that Japan is making efforts to maintain its relationship with Russia “despite U.S.-centered pressure.” Putin added that the two countries will be able to find middle ground on the territorial issue someday.
　プーチン大統領も、「米国を中心とする圧力にもかかわらず、日本は（対露）関係を維持しようとしている」と記者団に述べ、安倍首相のソチ訪問を歓迎した。領土問題についても、「いつか妥協できる」と語っている。

Strong willpower needed

Of course, it is too early to say that Moscow has shifted to a softer approach on territorial issues.
　無論、ロシアが領土問題で軟化していると見るのは早計だ。

In an interview with certain media ahead of his visit to Japan, Lavrov said the 1956 Japan-Soviet Joint Declaration does not say that the territorial dispute will be discussed during negotiations on the envisioned peace treaty.
　ラブロフ氏は来日前、一部メディアに対し、１９５６年の日ソ共同宣言について「平和条約交渉で領土問題を検討するとは書かれていない」などと主張した。

The remarks contradict past agreements between Japan and Russia, such as the 2001 Irkutsk Statement, which states that settling the territorial jurisdiction of the four islands off Hokkaido is a precondition to concluding a peace treaty. Lavrov’s remarks cannot be accepted. Moscow should remember that Putin himself signed the Irkutsk Statement.
　４島の帰属問題の解決が条約締結の前提とした２００１年のイルクーツク声明など、過去の合意に反しており、容認できない発言だ。声明はプーチン氏自身が署名したことも踏まえるべきである。

Abe and Putin will have to have strong willpower and be decisive in resolving the territorial dispute.
　領土問題の解決には、両首脳の強い意志と決断が求められる。

The tenure of both leaders ends in 2018. We urge both governments to materialize the Russian president’s visit to Japan after Abe’s trip to Russia. It is important to seek a path toward reaching an agreement on the issue by exchanging mutual visits. We urge the government to steadily and strategically prepare the way for fostering the needed environment.
　２人の任期はいずれも１８年までだ。安倍首相の訪露後、プーチン氏の来日を実現し、相互往来を重ねる中で、合意の糸口を探ることが重要である。その環境整備を着実かつ戦略的に進めたい。

At the same time, it is important not to disrupt the unity of the Group of Seven developed nations.
　留意すべきは先進７か国（Ｇ７）の足並みを乱さないことだ。

U.S. President Barack Obama has confronted Putin over the Ukranian conflict. Obama expressed concern over Abe’s envisaged Sochi visit during a telephone discussion in February, asking him to postpone it. Abe countered: “A peace treaty issue with Russia is also important. We must continue dialogue with Russia.”
　ウクライナ情勢を巡ってロシアと対立するオバマ米大統領は、２月の首相との電話会談で、首相の訪露に懸念を伝え、延期を求めた。首相は「ロシアとの平和条約も大事だ。ロシアとの対話を続けねばならない」と反論した。

Earlier this month, Abe held a meeting with Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko, pledging to continue financial support to the country.
　首相は今月上旬、ウクライナのポロシェンコ大統領と会談し、経済支援の継続を約束した。

It is essential for the government to explain Japan’s standpoint of simultaneously working on the two issues — easing the Ukranian conflict and making progress in Japan-Russia relations — to the United States and European countries to obtain their understanding before Japan hosts the G-7 Ise-Shima Summit meeting in May.
　５月に主要国首脳会議（伊勢志摩サミット）を控え、ウクライナ情勢の改善と日露関係の進展の両立を目指す日本の立場を説明し、米欧の理解を得る必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 17, 2016)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Stay alert to N. Korea’s attempts to miniaturize nuclear warheads
北ミサイル失敗　核搭載の脅威に警戒を怠るな

The self-serving stance of the North Korean regime led by Kim Jong Un, which has continued to make dangerous provocations in total defiance of international criticism, has become more pronounced.
　国際社会の非難を一顧だにせず、危険な挑発を続ける北朝鮮の金正恩政権の独善ぶりが一段と鮮明になった。

North Korea launched a missile from an area on its coast facing the Sea of Japan, but it failed. It is highly possible that it was a test-firing of a new type of medium-range ballistic missile named Musudan. There is information that the missile exploded as it rose skyward.
　北朝鮮は日本海側地域からミサイルを発射したが、失敗した。新型中距離弾道ミサイル「ムスダン」の初の発射実験だった可能性が大きい。上昇中に爆発したとの情報もある。

If the precision of North Korea’s launching technology improves through repeated test-firings, it would enhance its surprise attack capabilities because such missiles are fired from mobile launch pads that are difficult to detect. Countries concerned must not neglect the need to stay alert regarding the progress of North Korea’s military technology.
　発射を重ねることで精度が高まれば、事前の兆候をつかみにくい移動式だけに、奇襲能力の向上につながりかねない。関係国は北朝鮮の軍事技術開発の進展に対する警戒を怠ってはなるまい。

Resolutions on sanctions that have been repeatedly adopted by the U.N. Security Council against North Korea ban any type of launch using ballistic missile technology. It cannot be overlooked that North Korea has repeatedly violated the resolutions since it conducted a nuclear test in January.
　国連安全保障理事会の度重なる制裁決議は北朝鮮に対し、弾道ミサイル技術を用いた、いかなる発射も禁じている。北朝鮮が１月の核実験以降、決議違反を繰り返していることは、看過できない。

Kim claimed in early March that his country had succeeded in miniaturizing nuclear warheads. He is apparently trying to rattle the three countries of Japan, the United States and South Korea by flaunting technology for missiles on which nuclear warheads can be mounted.
　金第１書記は３月上旬、核弾頭の小型化に成功したと主張した。運搬手段となるミサイル技術を誇示して、日米韓３か国を揺さぶろうとする思惑ではないか。

North Korea in mid-March defiantly launched a Nodong medium-range ballistic missile capable of reaching most parts of Japan.
　北朝鮮は３月中旬には、日本の大半を射程に収める移動式の中距離弾道ミサイル「ノドン」の発射を強行していた。

With a longer range than the Nodong type, it is estimated that the Musudan missile has a range of up to 4,000 kilometers.
　ムスダンは、ノドンより射程が長く、最大４０００キロに達すると推定される。

Realistic threats loom

If the missile test-fired this time was a Musudan type, North Korea’s purpose is to be able to target U.S. forces in Japan and Guam. B-52 strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons are deployed at the U.S. military base in Guam. The U.S. military dispatched a B-52 from the Guam base to fly over South Korea after North Korea conducted a nuclear test in January.
　今回発射したミサイルがムスダンとすれば、在日米軍やグアムの米軍も標的として想定したものだ。グアムには核兵器を搭載できるＢ５２戦略爆撃機が配備されている。北朝鮮の核実験後、米軍はＢ５２を韓国上空まで飛行させた。

Should Pyongyang successfully test-fire a Musudan missile, the threat that it can launch nuclear attacks on U.S. bases in the Asia-Pacific region would become reality.
　北朝鮮がムスダンの発射に成功した場合は、「アジア太平洋の米軍基地」を核攻撃できるという威嚇が現実味を帯びよう。

The latest missile launch by North Korea was conducted on Friday, the birthday of Kim Jong Un’s grandfather Kim Il Sung — an important, commemorative day for the country. North Korea’s expectations of enhancing national prestige could not be met due to the failed test-firing.
　今回、ミサイルを発射した１５日は、金第１書記の祖父、金日成主席の誕生日に当たり、重要な祝日だ。失敗により、国威発揚の目論見は外れたのではないか。

The Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea is scheduled to convene in early May for the first time in 36 years. Preparations are in full swing, including holding meetings to select delegates to the congress. Rodong Sinmun, an organ of the WPK, praised Kim Jong Un, saying he has lifted North Korea to the first rank of nuclear powers.
　５月上旬には３６年ぶりの朝鮮労働党大会が予定される。大会代表を選ぶ会議が開かれるなど、準備は本格化している。党機関紙「労働新聞」は、金第１書記について、「祖国を核強国の前列に引き上げた」などと称たたえている。

It is assumed Kim Jong Un will resort to further military provocations in an attempt to enhance his own prestige. It was natural for Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga to say that Japan “will gather and analyze information and respond, while acting in concert firmly with the United States and South Korea.”
　金第１書記は自らの威信を高めるため、さらなる軍事挑発に走ることが想定される。菅官房長官が「米韓ともしっかり連携をしながら、情報を収集、分析し、対応していく」と語ったのは当然だ。

To prepare for new North Korean provocations, such as a fifth nuclear test and an additional missile test-firing, it is essential that Japan strengthen surveillance in close cooperation with Washington and Seoul.
　５回目の核実験や新たなミサイル発射などに備えて、日本は米韓と緊密に協調し、監視を強めることが欠かせない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 16, 2016)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Defeat of South Korean ruling party musn’t derail cooperation over North
韓国与党敗北　対「北」連携へ悪影響避けたい

The political base of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who has one year and 10 months left in her term, has been shaken to its core.
　残り任期が１年１０か月となった朴槿恵韓国大統領の政権基盤が、大きく揺らいだと言えよう。

This is a development that raises concerns about the possible negative impact on South Korea’s policies toward North Korea and Tokyo-Seoul ties.
　北朝鮮政策や日韓関係に悪影響が及ばないか、懸念される事態だ。

In South Korea’s parliamentary election, the ruling conservative Saenuri Party suffered a devastating defeat and lost its majority in the National Assembly. The main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, a left-leaning party that favors a conciliatory stance toward North Korea, made significant gains and is now the largest party in the assembly. The People’s Party, a new party, also picked up many seats.
　韓国の総選挙で、政権与党である保守系のセヌリ党が過半数を割り込み、惨敗した。左派で北朝鮮に融和的な最大野党「共に民主党」が伸長して第１党となり、新政党「国民の党」も躍進した。

A South Korean president serves one five-year term and cannot be reelected. When an administration enters the latter half of its term, it normally becomes a lame duck. A further decline in its unifying force is unavoidable.
　５年１期で再選がない韓国大統領の政権後期は通常、レームダック（死に体）化する。求心力の一層の低下は避けられまい。

The direct cause of the ruling party’s defeat was an internal conflict prior to the election that caused many people to lose trust in the party. Discord between lawmakers close to Park and lawmakers in an anti-Park group who want to keep their distance from her resulted in a split election, as some anti-Park lawmakers who were denied official nominations ran as independents.
　与党の直接の敗因は、選挙直前に内紛を起こし、国民の信頼を失ったことだ。朴氏に近い「親朴派」と、距離を置く「非朴派」が対立した末、公認を拒まれた一部の「非朴派」議員が無所属で出馬する分裂選挙となった。

The Park administration’s failure to produce any notable results on the economic front also affected the election. Due to the economic slowdown in China and other factors, South Korea’s exports have fallen and growth has been tepid. The rising unemployment rate, especially among young people, has become a social problem.
　朴政権が経済面でめぼしい成果を上げていないことも響いた。中国経済の減速などにより、輸出が落ち込み、成長が鈍化した。特に若年層の失業率上昇が大きな社会問題になっている。

Park will have to increasingly request opposition parties’ cooperation to pass bills seeking to reenergize the economy, and on other issues. Running her administration will become more difficult.
　朴氏は経済活性化を目指す法案の成立などで、野党の協力を要請する場面が増え、困難な政権運営を迫られるだろう。

Stick to ‘comfort women’ deal

Park has an obligation to deal with North Korea’s repeated provocations, such as its nuclear tests and launches of long-range ballistic missiles.
　核実験や長距離弾道ミサイル発射などの挑発を繰り返す北朝鮮への対処は、朴氏の責務である。

South Korea has quite appropriately adopted a hard-line approach to North Korea, such as by slapping its own sanctions on Pyongyang in addition to those imposed by the United Nations. Halting operations at the Kaesong industrial complex will be effective in severing a source of funds for the administration of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Criticism from opposition parties that these steps are excessive is unfair.
　韓国が、国連の制裁に加え独自制裁を科すなど北朝鮮に厳しく臨んでいるのは妥当だ。開城工業団地の操業停止は金正恩政権の資金源を断つ効果がある。行き過ぎだとの野党の批判は当たらない。

To prevent North Korea from committing any reckless acts, it is essential for Seoul to strengthen its alliance with Washington and continue to discuss the deployment of a sophisticated U.S. missile defense system in South Korea.
　北朝鮮の暴発を防ぐには、米最新鋭ミサイル防衛システムの韓国配備の協議を続け、米国との同盟を強化することが肝要だ。

Some observers have suggested the opposition party’s victory will make it harder to conclude a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) that is being discussed by Japan and South Korea. However, the importance of cooperation between Japan, the United States and South Korea must not be forgotten.
　日韓間の懸案である軍事情報包括保護協定（ＧＳＯＭＩＡ）の締結は、野党の勝利で難しくなったとの見方があるが、日米韓の協調の重要性を忘れてはならない。

What will happen to efforts aimed at implementing the Japan-South Korea deal on so-called comfort women, which was realized at the end of last year, is a cause for concern.
　気がかりなのは、慰安婦問題を巡る昨年末の日韓合意の履行に向けた取り組みである。

South Korea is obliged to establish a foundation that will provide support to former comfort women. South Korea has also promised to make efforts to remove a statue of a girl symbolizing comfort women set up in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul. Japan has demanded that this statue be removed.
　韓国は今後、元慰安婦を支援する財団を設立せねばならない。日本が求める在ソウル日本大使館前の少女像の撤去についても、解決の努力を約束している。

Deep-rooted opposition to this deal remains in South Korea. Although the comfort women issue did not become a major point of contention in the election, the Minjoo Party of Korea called in its campaign promises for the withdrawal and renegotiation of the deal.
　韓国内では、日韓合意に反対の声が根強い。慰安婦問題は総選挙の争点にならなかったが、「共に民主党」は選挙公約で、日韓合意の撤回と再交渉を求めていた。

We will watch carefully and hope Park will not be swayed by such pressure, and that she implements the deal to improve Japan-South Korea relations.
　朴氏がこうした圧力に左右されず、日韓関係改善のために合意を履行することを見守りたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 15, 2016)

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 10
EDITORIAL: Panama Papers question China leadership’s legitimacy
（社説）パナマ文書　中国政権の正統性問う

After three years of persistently pursuing a rigorous anti-corruption campaign, the administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping is now facing a serious credibility crisis.
The administration’s drive to clean up the rot within the government and the Communist Party has won public support because the unusually tough crackdown has led to a slew of arrests and indictments of political heavyweights. Many party bigwigs are still under investigation.
　中国の習近平（シーチンピン）政権は発足から３年、一貫して「反腐敗」を掲げている。大物の摘発を辞さず、従来とは違う強い姿勢で臨んできたことが支持された。いまも連日、共産党幹部が取り調べを受けている。

But the so-called Panama Papers, or millions of internal documents about hidden wealth leaked from a Panama-based law firm, have implicated some members of China’s most powerful policy body.
The names mentioned in the leaked documents include the husband of Xi’s elder sister and relatives of Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli, two other members of the Communist Party Politburo Standing Committee. They were shareholders in companies registered in overseas tax havens, according to information obtained and made public by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
　ところが、国際調査報道ジャーナリスト連合（ＩＣＩＪ）が入手した「パナマ文書」によれば、習国家主席の姉の夫のほか、共産党政治局常務委員である劉雲山（リウユンシャン）、張高麗（チャンカオリー）両氏の親族が、租税回避地に設立した会社の株主となっていた。

The disclosures raised suspicions that the leaders who have been acting as champions of the anti-corruption crusade are corrupt themselves. The leaked documents have cast serious doubt on the administration’s credibility and moral rectitude.
　反腐敗の旗振り役も腐敗しているのではないか。政権のあり方に疑問を突き付けている。

The Panama Papers also cite five relatives of former Chinese leaders including the husband of Mao Tse-tung’s granddaughter.
　ほかにも毛沢東の孫の夫を含め、元指導者の親族５人の名前が挙がっている。

Chinese authorities have imposed a strict media blackout to block public access to information concerning the Panama Papers.
　中国当局はパナマ文書に関する情報にアクセスできないよう統制を敷いた。

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has refused to comment on any of the many questions about the topic posed by foreign media.
外務省は国外メディアの再三の問いかけにもノーコメントだ。

But the government has been unable to stop the embarrassing facts about top leaders from becoming known widely among the people.
それでも多くの市民に知れ渡るのは止められない。

The phrase “husband of an elder sister” has already become fashionable on the Internet.
早くも「姉の夫」がネット上で流行語となった。

We have heard a raft of stories about how relatives of Chinese leaders have taken advantage of their positions to win the rights to use state-owned land and made huge profits through real estate investments.
　指導者の親族が地位を利用して国有地の使用権を得たうえ、不動産投資で金もうけをしている――といった話は中国でよく耳にする。

It is unclear whether reported secretive offshore financing is related to such dubious wealth accumulated through abuse of political privileges.
今回の事例が、そうした特権的手段による蓄財と関連するのかどうかは、まだ明確には分からない。

But two things are clear.
　だが、言えることが二つある。

One is that people around China’s top leader have amassed amounts of wealth well beyond the imagination of ordinary citizens in the country.
　一つは、最高指導者の周辺で、市民感覚とかけ離れた巨大な富が蓄えられているという現実だ。

The other is that they have taken the trouble to set up companies in remote offshore tax havens.
　もう一つは、彼らが遠く海外の租税回避地にわざわざ会社を設立していたということだ。

Why have they transferred their assets to such companies far away from home? The only plausible explanation is that they were trying to hide their money from Chinese authorities’ oversight.
この仕組みを使って資産を移しているのはなぜか。中国当局の目が届かないところに隠そうとする意図があったとしか考えられない。

These leaders deserve to be criticized for putting a higher priority on protecting the profits of their kin than on promoting the nation’s development. That’s at least how Chinese citizens will think about the revelations.
　国を指導する立場にありながら、国の発展よりも一族の利益を守ることを優先している、とみられても仕方がないだろう。少なくとも市民はそう受け止める。

At least three of the seven members of the paramount leadership organ have been implicated.
そのような最高指導部メンバーが現職７人のうち３人もいたのである。

China lacks a system under which its leaders are chosen through free and fair elections.
　中国は、自由で公正な選挙によって指導者が選ばれる制度を欠いている。

If the Communist Party government is to win public support for its rule of the nation, it must ensure that the living standards among the people will keep rising.
それでも今の共産党政権が国民の支持を得るとすれば、人々の生活水準を向上させることによるほかない。

If the party’s leaders are working hard to make themselves far richer than citizens, however, the very foundation of the legitimacy of the party’s monopoly on power could be seriously undermined.
　だが、党指導部がそれをはるかに上回る私利を図っているとすれば、共産党支配の正統性は根本から揺らぎかねない。

The documents that tell sordid stories about relatives of top Chinese leaders are widely available across the world. It is hard to imagine how the Xi administration will be able to get away with this scandal without offering convincing explanations.
　証拠となる文書は全世界にさらされている。このまま説明なしに済むとは思えない。

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 13
EDITORIAL: Attack on TBS TV an act of crude intimidation, not free speech
（社説）ＴＢＳ批判　まっとうな言論活動か

Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings Inc., operator of the TBS TV station, issued a statement earlier this month concerning an organization that has publicly declared its intention to put pressure on the broadcaster’s sponsors.
　ＴＢＳテレビが先週、「弊社スポンサーへの圧力を公言した団体の声明について」と題するコメントを発表した。

Calling itself “an association of television viewers demanding compliance with the Broadcast Law,” the group maintains that TBS’s news reports violate the Broadcast Law, and says it is preparing a “national campaign to alert sponsors.”
　この団体は、「放送法遵守（じゅんしゅ）を求める視聴者の会」というグループだ。ＴＢＳの報道が放送法に反すると主張し、スポンサーへの「国民的な注意喚起運動」を準備するとしている。

In its statement, TBS rebutted: “Fully cognizant of our mission as a news organization to introduce diverse opinions and keep public authorities in check, we autonomously aim for fair and impartial programming.”
　ＴＢＳのコメントは、次のような要旨を表明している。
　「多様な意見を紹介し、権力をチェックするという報道機関の使命を認識し、自律的に公平・公正な番組作りをしている」

The broadcaster stressed, “The (group’s) open declaration of its intent to apply pressure on our sponsors represents a grave threat to freedom of expression and, ultimately, to democracy itself.”
　「スポンサーに圧力をかけるなどと公言していることは、表現の自由、ひいては民主主義に対する重大な挑戦である」

The purpose of the Broadcast Law is to guarantee freedom of expression and encourage the healthy development of democracy. TBS’s comment is fully compatible with the spirit of this law, and we support it.
　放送法の目的は、表現の自由を確保し、健全な民主主義の発達に役立てることにある。コメントは、その趣旨にもかなった妥当な見解である。

The viewers’ association has been attacking TBS since last autumn, and it kept track of the airtime the network gave to its coverage of the controversial national security legislation.
After establishing that TBS gave more airtime to reports that were critical of the legislation, the association accused TBS of failing to maintain political neutrality.
　声明を出した団体は、昨秋からＴＢＳ批判を続けている。安保関連法制の報道時間を独自に計り、法制への反対部分が長かったとして政治的公平性を欠くと主張している。

But it is the mission of any news organization to examine legislation pushed by the administration of the time, and raise questions and discuss problems. And with something like national security legislation that was of great interest to the public, the network obviously needed to thoroughly report on the issue by airing diverse opinions that differed from the administration’s, including critical views.
　しかし、政権が進める法制を検証し、疑問や問題点を指摘するのは報道機関の使命だ。とりわけ安保法のように国民の関心が強い問題について、政権の主張と異なる様々な意見や批判を丁寧に報じるのは当然だ。

As for the matter of putting pressure on broadcasters, a ruling Liberal Democratic Party legislator held a study meeting in June last year, in which a comment was made to the effect, “The most effective way to punish mass media is to cut off revenues from their sponsors.”
　テレビ局への圧力という問題をめぐっては、昨年６月、自民党議員の勉強会で「マスコミを懲らしめるには広告料収入がなくなるのが一番」などとの発言があった。

Such thinking fully endorses browbeating by political authorities. This is simply unacceptable.
政治権力による威圧であり、論外の発想だ。

On the other hand, viewers are free to criticize TV programs, and broadcasters must humbly heed such complaints. However, what the viewers’ association has done is arbitrarily interpret the Broadcast Law and attempt to systematically manipulate the public into joining the “cause.”
　一方、視聴者が言論で番組を批判するのは自由だ。テレビ局は謙虚に耳を傾けなくてはいけない。だが、この団体は、放送法を一方的に解釈して組織的に働きかけようとしている。

In its statement, the association notified TBS that unless the latter “responds with sincerity,” a proposal will be sent to its sponsors to prevent them from becoming “accomplices” in “illegal broadcasting that negatively impacts society.”
　ＴＢＳの「誠意ある回答」がなければ、「違法報道による社会的な負の影響」への「加担」を防ぐ提言書をスポンサーに送ると通告。

The association also stated its intention to recruit volunteers online and “take further action as needed,” depending on the sponsors’ response.
ネットでボランティアを募り、企業の対応によっては「さらに必要な行動をとる」とも予告する。

This is applying pressure, pure and simple.
これは見過ごせない圧力である。

There are many ways to complain about TV programs, including taking the complaints to the Broadcasting Ethics & Program Improvement Organization. And yet, the viewers’ association remains focused on forcing TBS to change its reporting stance by hitting its revenue source--namely, the sponsors. Such a tactic cannot possibly constitute an exercise of the right to free speech.
　番組を批判する方法は様々あり、放送倫理・番組向上機構（ＢＰＯ）も機能している。にもかかわらず、放送局の収入源を揺さぶって報道姿勢を変えさせようというのでは、まっとうな言論活動とはいえない。

Should any autonomous broadcaster become incapable of continuing to provide fair and unbiased reporting and keeping public authorities in check, the public loses.
　もし自律した放送局が公正な報道と権力監視を続けられなくなれば、被害者は国民だ。

The media must reconfirm the heavy responsibility they bear to protect the public’s right to know.
「知る権利」を担う重い責務を、メディアは改めて確認したい。

The Yomiuri Shimbun
G-7 Hiroshima Declaration must help achieve the total abolition of N-arms
Ｇ７外相会合　広島宣言を核廃絶に生かそう

It is highly significant that the Group of Seven major powers — including the three nuclear powers of the United States, Britain and France — issued a clear message to pursue the eradication of nuclear weapons, doing so from a city flattened by the atomic bomb.
　核兵器を保有する米英仏３か国も賛同し、核廃絶を追求する明確なメッセージを被爆地から発出した意味は重い。

The G-7 adopted the Hiroshima Declaration on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation at its foreign ministers’ meeting in Hiroshima.
　先進７か国（Ｇ７）は広島市で外相会合を開き、核軍縮・不拡散を推進する共同文書「広島宣言」を採択した。

“The people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki experienced immense devastation and human suffering,” the declaration says. To work toward a world without nuclear weapons, the declaration calls on political leaders and other people to visit the two cities. It also calls for promoting dialogue between nuclear weapon states and nonnuclear-weapon states and enhancing transparency regarding nuclear arms.
　原爆で広島と長崎が「極めて甚大な壊滅と非人間的な苦難」を経験したと指摘した。「核兵器のない世界」に向けて、政治指導者らの被爆地訪問を呼び掛けた。核兵器保有国と非保有国の対話や核の透明性向上も求めている。

Last year’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference fell apart due to confrontations between participating countries. Japan, as the only country hit by an atomic bombing, has the mission of leading nuclear disarmament efforts. Based on the Hiroshima Declaration, Japan should strive to restructure the international cooperative regime on nuclear non-proliferation.
　昨年の核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）再検討会議は関係国の対立で、決裂した。唯一の被爆国として、核軍縮を主導するのは、日本の使命だ。広島宣言を土台に、国際協調体制の再構築を図るべきだ。

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday became the first incumbent U.S. cabinet member to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. He laid a wreath at the cenotaph for victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Commenting on the tour of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Kerry said, “I don’t see how anyone could forget the images ... of what happened.”
　ケリー米国務長官は、現職閣僚として初めて平和記念公園を訪れ、原爆死没者慰霊碑に献花した。平和記念資料館の見学について、「決して忘れることのできないものとなった」と感想を述べた。

Opinions that dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was justified are still strong in the United States. Kerry’s visit to Hiroshima must be used as a step toward closing the gap in perception of nuclear weapons between Japan and the United States.
　原爆投下を正当化する米国世論はなお根強い。ケリー氏の訪問を、核兵器に関する日米間の認識のズレを埋める一歩としたい。

Self-restraint urged

The G-7 foreign ministers also adopted a Statement on Maritime Security, which is based on the assessment that tensions have been mounting in the South China Sea.
　外相会合は、南シナ海情勢の緊迫化を踏まえて、海洋安全保障に関する声明も採択した。

The statement, though without pointing fingers at China, “urges all states to refrain from such actions as land reclamations ... as well as their use for military purposes.”
　中国の名指しを避けながらも、「埋め立て、拠点構築と軍事目的での利用」の自制を求めた。

China has been accelerating attempts to change the status quo by force, reclaiming man-made islands and pushing ahead with militarilization on them.
　中国は、人工島を造成し、軍事拠点化を進めるなど、「力による現状変更」を加速している。

It is significant that not only Japan and the United States, but also the G-7 as a whole, collectively recognized the seriousness of the security situation in the region. In cooperation with Southeast Asian nations, the G-7 must tenaciously call on China to refrain from self-serving actions.
　事態の深刻さについて、日米だけでなく、Ｇ７全体で共通認識を持ったことは重要だ。Ｇ７は、東南アジア各国とも連携し、中国に独善的な行動を慎むよう、粘り強く促さねばならない。

The statement also emphasized the importance of settling maritime disputes in accordance with international law, including arbitration. This could serve as a warning to China, which has refused to settle a territorial dispute with the Philippines at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague.
　声明は、仲裁を含む法的な紛争解決の重要性も強調した。ハーグの常設仲裁裁判所によるフィリピンとの領有権問題の解決を拒む中国を牽制けんせいする効果があろう。

The G-7 foreign ministers agreed to lead global efforts to deal with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant extremist group.
　過激派組織「イスラム国」への対応策では、Ｇ７が国際連携を主導することで合意した。

To prevent terrorism, it is necessary to take multilateral approaches such as sharing information, imposing stricter immigration controls and taking measures against the financing of terrorism.
　テロの防止には、テロリストに関する情報の共有や出入国管理の厳格化、テロ資金対策などを多角的に進める必要がある。

More concrete antiterrorism measures should be put forth at the Ise-Shima G-7 summit to be held late next month.
　来月下旬の主要国首脳会議（伊勢志摩サミット）では、より具体的な対策を打ち出すべきだ。

The G-7 foreign ministers released a joint communique condemning “in the strongest terms” the nuclear test and ballistic missile launches conducted by North Korea. It is essential for the international community to strictly implement the U.N. Security Council resolution adopted in March on sanctions against North Korea, thereby ramping up pressure on the country.
　Ｇ７外相は、北朝鮮の核実験と弾道ミサイル発射を強く非難した。３月の国連安全保障理事会の制裁決議を国際社会が厳格に履行し、北朝鮮への圧力を高めることが大切である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 12, 2016)

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 10
EDITORIAL: Amari long overdue to explain himself in cash scandal
（社説）甘利氏の疑惑　説明責任はどうなった

The special investigation department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office has opened a compulsory investigation into the scandal over cash received by Akira Amari, former minister in charge of economic revitalization, and by one of his former aides.
　甘利明・前経済再生相の現金授受問題で、東京地検特捜部が強制捜査に乗り出した。

A politician or an aide receiving profits in exchange for favors would violate the Law on Punishment of Public Officials’ Profiting by Exerting Influence.
　政治家や秘書が口利きの見返りに対価を受け取れば、あっせん利得処罰法違反になる。

The nature of the 6 million yen ($55,600), which Amari and his former aide received from a construction company based in Chiba Prefecture, remains unclear.
　甘利氏や元秘書が千葉県の建設会社側から受け取った６００万円は、どんな趣旨なのか。

Amari said he believes the money represented political donations with no reciprocal nature. But a man in charge of general affairs at the construction company has said the money was intended as remuneration for the intervention of the former aide and others in the company’s compensation talks with the semipublic Urban Renaissance Agency (UR). The company later received compensation payments from the UR.
　甘利氏は見返りとは無関係の政治献金という認識を示しているが、建設会社の総務担当者は元秘書らによる都市再生機構（ＵＲ）との補償交渉への介入と、補償金の支払いが実現したことへの謝礼の意味だったと証言している。

While the arguments on both sides remain far apart, it would be inexcusable for a politician or aide to receive money and exert influence on government offices or other entities at the request of the donor.
　双方の主張は大きく食い違うが、政治家側がカネを受け取り、依頼者の求めに応じて役所などに働きかける――そんな口利きがもしあったとしたら、言語道断である。

The Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office should do its best to uncover the entire picture of what took place.
東京地検は実態の全容解明に全力をあげてもらいたい。

It should not be forgotten that Amari himself has yet to fulfill his accountability. A lawmaker, who represents the people, has the responsibility to explain himself to the public whenever he comes under suspicion without waiting for investigators to uncover the case.
　同時に、忘れるわけにいかないのは、甘利氏自身が説明責任を果たしていないことだ。疑惑があれば、捜査当局の解明を待つまでもなく、自ら国民に説明する。それが国民の代表である国会議員の責任だ。

When he announced his resignation from the Cabinet at a news conference in late January, Amari did promise to “continue to have the case investigated by a lawyer and publish the results at appropriate timing.”
　甘利氏自身、大臣辞任を表明した１月末の記者会見で「弁護士による調査を続け、しかるべきタイミングで公表する」と約束したはずである。

Some other politicians who came under suspicion over fund-raising irregularities in the past defended themselves by saying, for example, that they had no way to determine the facts because documents had been seized by authorities.
　過去に政治とカネの疑惑に問われた他の政治家には「捜査当局に資料が押収され、事実関係が確認できない」などと弁明する例もあった。

But Amari had two-and-a-half months to look into the case after his resignation. He should be able to publish findings, even an interim report, from the investigation.
だが甘利氏の場合は、大臣辞任後２カ月半、調査期間があった。途中経過であっても公表できるはずだ。

Much remains unknown about the entire scandal, including whether Amari himself was involved in the case.
　一連の経緯については、まだ不明な点が多い。
　その一つは、甘利氏自身のかかわりである。

Amari said during the news conference in January that he had learned only recently that his former aide had been talking to the UR. But UR officials later said they had been told by the former aide that Amari was aware of the talks.
　甘利氏は元秘書がＵＲと交渉していることは「今回初めて知った」と１月の会見で説明したが、ＵＲはその後、甘利氏も交渉について把握していると元秘書から伝えられたとしている。

Opposition parties want Amari summoned to the Lower House Budget Committee as an unsworn witness to dig out the truth. But the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has refused.
　真相究明のため、野党は衆院予算委員会への甘利氏の参考人招致を求めてきたが、自民党は応じようとしない。

Amari has been absent from Diet sessions, citing health problems. He may be unable to come forward on his own to explain himself, but he could still have lawyers, for example, speak on his behalf.
　甘利氏は体調がすぐれないことを理由に、国会を欠席している。だが、自ら説明できなくても、例えば弁護士らを通じての説明は可能なのではないか。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also bears heavy responsibility.
　安倍首相の責任も大きい。

Abe, who appointed Amari to key Cabinet positions, has admitted to his own responsibility for having appointed him.
　甘利氏を重要閣僚に起用してきた首相は、自らの「任命責任」を認めている。

If that is the case, the prime minister should urge Amari to explain himself. In addition, Abe, who is also the LDP president, should instruct the party to have Amari fulfill his accountability in some form or other.
ならば甘利氏に説明するよう促すべきだし、党総裁として自民党にも何らかの形で説明責任を果たさせるよう指示すべきだ。

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 7
EDITORIAL: G-7 in Hiroshima a chance to move closer toward nuke-free future
（社説）広島外相会合　核なき未来への一歩に

The gathering in Hiroshima of top diplomats of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations, which include three nuclear powers, sends a powerful message as the world struggles to make progress toward a future without nuclear arms.
The foreign ministers of the United States, Britain and France, as well as Japan and the three other G-7 members, will meet in Hiroshima, the first city to be leveled by an atomic bomb, on April 10 and 11.
　核軍縮の動きが停滞している今、核保有国の米英仏を含めた主要７カ国（Ｇ７）の外交トップが核被害の原点である広島を訪れる意義は大きい。核兵器廃絶に向けた機運を、いま一度高める契機にしていきたい。

On the sidelines of their meeting in Hiroshima, the G-7 foreign ministers will visit the Peace Memorial Park, dedicated to the city's 1945 atomic bombing, and lay flowers at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims on April 11.
Their pilgrimages to the city should breathe new life into international efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.
They are also expected to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Their tour of the museum that documents the consequences of the U.S. atomic bombing would be even more meaningful if they hold talks with A-bomb survivors and hear their harrowing tales.
　広島での会合に合わせ、Ｇ７の外相が１１日、平和記念公園をそろって訪ね、原爆死没者の名簿が納められている慰霊碑に献花することが決まった。
　平和記念資料館（原爆資料館）も見学する予定だ。できれば被爆者と対話し、被爆の実相をより深く心に刻んでほしい。

The G-7 officials traveling to Hiroshima include U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, the Obama administration's top Cabinet member.
　参加者のうちケリー米国務長官は、オバマ政権の筆頭閣僚だ。

Kerry will be the highest-ranking active U.S. politician to visit Hiroshima after Nancy Pelosi, who went in 2008 as the speaker of the House of Representatives.
原爆を投下した米国の現職政治家としては、０８年に広島を訪れたペロシ下院議長（当時）に次ぐ過去最高クラスになる。

More than 200,000 people perished in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
　原爆によって広島、長崎で２０万を超す人々の命が奪われた。

Many Americans, however, regard the attacks as justifiable, arguing that they accelerated Japan’s surrender in World War II and thereby saved many lives.
だが米国では「日本の降伏を早め、結果的に多くの人命を救った」として、原爆投下は正当だったと考える世論が根強い。

Despite serious differences between Japan and the United States in perceptions over history, President Barack Obama agreed to Japan’s request for Kerry to visit Hiroshima. We applaud Obama's weighty political decision.
　日米の歴史認識に隔たりがあるなか、日本側が要望したケリー氏の被爆地訪問にオバマ政権が応じたのは重い政治判断だ。

We are inclined to regard the decision as a sign that Obama, whose term will expire in January, is still committed to working toward “a world without nuclear weapons,” the vision he announced to the world in his historic speech in Prague in 2009.
来年１月の任期切れを控え、オバマ大統領が０９年のプラハでの演説で掲げた「核兵器のない世界」実現に向け、なお意欲的であると受けとめたい。

The Obama administration sent its ambassador to Japan to most of the annual ceremonies to commemorate the atomic bombings that have been held in Hiroshima and Nagasaki since 2010.
Last year, the administration sent Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller to attend the ceremonies.
　オバマ政権は１０年以降ほぼ毎年、広島、長崎の平和式典に駐日大使を参列させ、昨年は国務次官を派遣した。

In Japan, expectations are growing that Obama himself will travel to the A-bombed cities when he visits Japan in May to attend the G-7 summit, to be held in Shima, Mie Prefecture.
日本国内では、５月のＧ７首脳会議（伊勢志摩サミット）で訪日するオバマ氏自身が、被爆地に足を延ばすのではとの期待が高まる。

In the United States, the political climate is heating up as the races for the Democratic and Republican nominations for the autumn presidential election are entering the home stretch.
　米国は秋の大統領選に向けた民主、共和両党の候補者選びが山場を迎えている。

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has been delivering a range of harsh verbal attacks on Obama’s foreign policy.
共和党の指名争いで首位を走るトランプ氏は、オバマ氏の外交姿勢を批判のやり玉に挙げてきた。

Chances are that Kerry will avoid making any remarks that could be interpreted as an apology to Japan out of fears that such a comment could have a political impact on the election.
　選挙への影響を考え、ケリー氏が日本への「謝罪」ととられるような言動を控える可能性は高い。

But we nevertheless welcome Kerry’s decision to stand in front of the cenotaph in Hiroshima. We urge Obama to give serious consideration to visiting the cities as well.
だが、慰霊碑の前に立とうとする決意は率直に評価したい。オバマ氏も訪問をぜひ前向きに検討してほしい。

Even after seven decades, there are still many people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki who lost loved ones in the bombings and are suffering form health problems caused by radiation exposure.
　７０年を経た今も、広島、長崎には原爆で家族を奪われ、後遺症に苦しむ人が多い。

Because they have a strong desire not to see anyone suffer the same fate, people in the two cities are pinning great hopes on the visits by Kerry and other political leaders.
被爆地がそれでもケリー氏らの訪問に期待するのはなぜか。それは「苦しみをもう誰にも味わわせたくない」という強い思いだ。

We are eager to see people in countries with nuclear arsenals think seriously about ways to bring the world closer toward a future without nuclear weapons, something that Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been praying for so strongly and for so long.
　核保有国の人々には考えてもらいたい。どうすれば被爆地が願う「核兵器のない世界」は近づくか。

The G-7 foreign ministers’ visits to Hiroshima should not be allowed to end up as mere ritual. They should be a first step in effective efforts to create new momentum in international politics for realizing that goal.
Ｇ７外相の広島訪問を、単なる儀礼に終わらせず、現実の国際政治を動かす一歩にしてほしい。

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Reinforce international cooperation to eliminate offshore evasion of taxes
パナマ文書流出　課税逃れ防ぐ国際連携強めよ

The leak of documents revealing the use of tax havens by world political leaders is sending shockwaves around the globe.
　世界各国の政治指導者らによるタックスヘイブン（租税回避地）利用を暴露する文書が流出し、波紋を広げている。

The so-called Panama Papers show that a great number of politicians — as well as their families, relatives and aides — have connections to offshore companies in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea and other tax havens. The long list of names contains former and current world leaders.
　文書は、現・元首脳を含む政治家とその親族、側近ら多数が、カリブ海の英領バージン諸島など租税回避地の会社に関与した記録だとされる。

In tax havens, tax rates are set at very low levels, prompting companies and wealthy individuals to use them to reduce tax payments. They are also known for their negative aspects, including being hotbeds for illicit activities such as tax evasion, money laundering and window dressing.
　極端に税率が低い租税回避地は、企業や富裕層の節税に利用されるケースが多い。脱税や資金洗浄、粉飾会計などの不法行為の温床という負の面もある。

Even if their involvement in tax havens is not illegal, world leaders can be held morally responsible for avoiding tax obligations in their countries, where they should have paid taxes in the first place. They must provide explanations for every tiny detail.
　法的には問題がなくても、政治家などは、本来の自国での納税義務を逃れるという道義的責任が問われよう。各国首脳らは説明を尽くさねばならない。

The documents are called the “Panama Papers” because they came from a law firm in Panama. After being obtained by the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, they are now receiving multifaceted scrutiny from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.
　文書はパナマの法律事務所が出所で、「パナマ文書」と呼ばれる。独紙「南ドイツ新聞」が入手し、国際調査報道ジャーナリスト連合が多角的に分析している。

Iceland’s Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was forced to resign for not disclosing ownership of an offshore company, and British Prime Minister David Cameron has his back against the wall after admitting he had invested in a Panamanian trust set up by his late father.
　会社所有が発覚したアイスランドのグンロイグソン首相は、情報開示を怠ったとして、辞任に追い込まれた。亡父がパナマにファンドを設立していたキャメロン英首相は投資の事実を認め、窮地に立たされている。

China response questionable

Judicial authorities in European and Latin American countries, including Germany and Panama, have begun investigations to determine if there were any legal violations connected to the scandal. As a matter of course, it is important to bring any tax evasion or other illicit activities to light. It is also essential that the international community make concerted efforts to make tax havens more transparent.
　ドイツやパナマなど欧州や中南米の司法当局は、違法行為の有無について捜査を始めた。脱税などを摘発するのは当然だ。国際社会が連携し、租税回避地の透明性を高めることも欠かせない。

Last year, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Group of 20 countries and regions compiled international rules to prevent multinational corporations from evading taxes under the name of fictitious business deals.
　経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）と主要２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）は昨年、多国籍企業が実態とかけ離れた取引を名目に課税逃れをするのを防ぐ国際ルールを策定した。

From the viewpoint of preventing money laundering and tax evasion, it is important to urge tax haven countries and regions to cooperate to establish such effective measures as sharing bank account information.
　資金洗浄や脱税防止の観点からは、租税回避地である国・地域にも働きかけ、口座情報の交換など実効性のある協力を着実に進めることが肝要である。

The response of China to the Panama Papers is questionable. The names of relatives of three top Communist Party leaders — including President Xi Jinping —emerged in the papers. The Xi administration not only flatly refused to offer any explanations but also tightened control on the Internet in an attempt to contain the spread of information.
　疑問なのは、中国の対応だ。文書では、習近平国家主席ら中国共産党最高指導部３人の親族の名が浮上した。習政権は一切の説明を拒むだけでなく、インターネット規制を強め、情報拡散を抑え込もうとしている。

China is the chair of this year’s G-20 summit and as such, it should take a leading role on measures against tax evasion. Given that, shouldn’t the behavior of China be considered inappropriate?
　課税逃れ対策を主導すべき今年のＧ２０議長国として、ふさわしくない振る舞いではないか。

Russian President Vladimir Putin also faces suspicion in connection with financial transactions conducted by a friend. The Russian president put forth a conspiracy theory, saying, “They are attempting to rock us.” But that is unpersuasive.
　ロシアのプーチン大統領も、友人が行った金融取引を巡る疑惑に直面している。ロシアへの「揺さぶりだ」などと語り、陰謀論を示唆したが、説得力に欠ける。

Tax evasion measures will be a key agenda item at the Ise-Shima Group of Seven summit meeting to be held in Japan. The G-7 nations should come up with a clear message on this issue.
　日本で開催される主要国首脳会議（伊勢志摩サミット）で、課税逃れ防止は重要な議題となる。先進７か国（Ｇ７）としての明確なメッセージを打ち出すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 9, 2016)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
LDP, DP must find common ground in reforming lower house elections
衆院選制度改革　自公と民進はなお歩み寄れ

The legislature has a duty to correct the vote-value disparity in House of Representatives elections, which (the Supreme Court ruled) are in a state of unconstitutionality. Both the ruling and opposition parties should realize without fail the reform of the electoral system during the current Diet session.
　「違憲状態」とされる衆院選の「１票の格差」を是正することは、立法府の責務だ。与野党は、今国会で選挙制度改革を確実に実現すべきだ。

Lower house Speaker Tadamori Oshima held talks with representatives of each party and asked the Liberal Democratic Party and the Democratic Party (Minshinto, DP) to quickly submit their bills to revise the Public Offices Election Law and other relevant laws, and to form a conclusion on electoral reform by the end of the current Diet session.
　大島衆院議長が各党代表と協議し、自民、民進両党それぞれの公職選挙法改正案などの速やかな国会提出と、今国会中に結論を出すことを要請した。

In other words, Oshima has for now relinquished his attempt to combine the ideas of all the parties to reform the lower house election system.
現時点での一本化を断念したものだ。

The election system is the foundation of democracy. Because of its nature, the system should be reviewed based on a broad consensus. It is regrettable that the ruling party and main opposition party are taking different approaches to the reform.
　選挙制度は民主主義の基盤だ。本来、幅広い合意で見直すことが望ましい。与党と野党第１党の対応が分かれたのは残念である。

Komeito has decided to support the LDP’s reform plan. The LDP-sponsored bills will probably be submitted to the Diet next week and are likely to be enacted during the current Diet session. However, the ruling and opposition parties should continue until the last moment their efforts to find common ground.
　公明党は自民案への賛成を決めた。自民案は来週にも提出され、今国会で成立する方向だが、与野党は最後まで、一致点を見いだす努力を続けてもらいたい。

The plans drawn up by the ruling and opposition parties both adopt the Adams’ method to reallocate lower house seats to single-seat constituencies in prefectures around the country. However, the LDP’s plan introduces it after a national census to be held in 2020, while the DP would introduce it immediately based on results of the 2010 census.
　両案は「アダムズ方式」を採用し、小選挙区の都道府県定数を再配分することでは一致する。だが、自民案は２０２０年国勢調査後に導入するのに対し、民進案は１０年調査を基に直ちに実施する。

The Adams’ method would keep the vote-value gap within 2 to 1, a ratio prescribed as fundamental in the Law for the Council on the House of Representatives Electoral District.
　アダムズ方式は、１票の格差を、衆院選挙区画定審議会設置法が基本とする２倍未満に収められる。

The method pays due consideration to prefectures with small populations by allocating lower house seats to them in a relatively generous manner.
人口の少ない県に比較的手厚く定数を配分することで、地方にも一定の配慮をしている。

Seat reduction questionable

Since the Adams’ method is an essential part of the report submitted by a panel of experts on the electoral system reform to the lower house speaker, it is a matter of course to stipulate it in concerned bills.
　有識者調査会の答申の根幹であり、法律への明記は当然だ。

If lower house seats are reallocated based on results of the 2010 census, their numbers will be “plus seven and minus 13.” In other words, a total of seven seats would be added in Tokyo and four prefectures, and one seat would be taken from each of 13 prefectures. The LDP is trying to delay the introduction of the Adams’ method, apparently aiming to avoid opposition by lawmakers elected from prefectures where the number of seats will decrease.
　１０年国勢調査に基づいて再配分すると、定数は東京都と４県で計７増え、１３県で各１減る「７増１３減」となる。自民党が導入を遅らせるのは、定数が減る県の議員らの反発を避ける狙いだろう。

The LDP’s plan reduces six lower house seats based on results of the simplified census conducted in 2015, and also reviews the demarcation of electoral districts around the country. Its implementation would mean that the demarcation of electoral districts could be changed twice in some areas, when it goes into effect and after the introduction of the Adams’ method.
　自民案は当面、１５年の簡易国勢調査に基づいて、定数を「０増６減」するほか、全国的に区割りを見直す。地域によっては、今回と、アダムズ方式導入後の２回、区割りが変更される恐れがある。

Some observers point out that it might harm the stability of the election system and ties between lawmakers and voters.
　選挙制度の安定性や、議員と有権者のつながりが損なわれかねないとの指摘も出ている。

It is questionable why both plans have included a reduction in the number of lower house seats. They each reduce a total of six seats from single-seat constituencies and four from the proportional representation section.
　疑問なのは、両案とも定数削減を盛り込んだことだ。小選挙区は６、比例は４減らす。

If the number of seats is reduced, it will become more difficult to choose lawmakers representing a wide variety of public opinion, and it might lessen the legislature’s ability to monitor the administration. It is worth noting that Japan has relatively fewer Diet members than those in European countries in relation to its population.
　定数を減らせば、多様な民意を代表する議員を選びにくくなる。立法府の行政監視機能も低下しかねない。人口比でみれば、日本の国会議員は欧州各国より多くないことにも留意する必要がある。

Parties also must deepen discussions on the adverse effects of reducing the number of lower house seats without being caught by their own rhetoric, namely their public pledges to sacrifice their own interests and reduce the number of Diet seats.
　各党は、「身を切る改革」という定数削減の公約によって自縄自縛に陥ることなく、その弊害の議論を深めることも大切だ。

Since transition to the new electoral system is likely to require more than a year due to the need to review the demarcation of electoral districts and publicize the relevant bills to voters after they are enacted, the ruling and opposition parties must hasten deliberations.
　新制度への移行には、関連法案の成立後、区割りの見直し作業や周知期間などで１年以上を要する可能性がある。与野党は、法案審議を急がねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 8, 2016)

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 6
EDITORIAL: Abe must not be allowed to rush Diet approval of TPP accord
（社説）ＴＰＰと国会　承認ありきは許されぬ

The Lower House has started deliberating a draft approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) accord and a bill to revise all 11 related laws.
　環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）の承認案と、関連する１１本の法律を一括改正する法案の審議が、衆院で始まった。

Ever since the World Trade Organization fell into dysfunction, bilateral and multilateral agreements on free trade and economic cooperation have propelled market liberalization.
　世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）が機能不全に陥った後、二国間や多国間の自由貿易・経済連携協定が自由化の推進役となっている。

The TPP, in particular, has 12 signatories from the Asia-Pacific region, which leads the global economy, and their combined gross domestic product represents 40 percent of the world total. Japan, which continues to languish under sluggish economic growth, pins considerable hopes on what this accord could bring.
中でもＴＰＰには世界経済を引っ張るアジア太平洋の１２カ国が参加し、国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）で世界の４割を占める。低成長が続く日本にとって、その効果への期待は小さくない。

The TPP is called a “21st century-type” accord because it covers matters concerning intellectual property, the environment and labor, in addition to the elimination and reduction of tariffs and the liberalization of capital investment. But since the accord is expected to affect many industry sectors and the people’s lives in all sorts of ways, grave concerns and questions have been raised, not to mention stiff opposition.
　ＴＰＰが扱うのは関税の撤廃・引き下げや投資の自由化などのほか、知的財産や環境・労働分野に及び、「２１世紀型」と呼ばれる。さまざまな産業や国民生活への影響が予想され、不安や疑問、反対論も根強い。

The Diet, which represents the people, has the responsibility to address these concerns through debate. We hope each political party will base its stance and proposals on the protection of consumer interests.
　審議を通じてそうした声に向き合うことが、国民の代表としての国会の責任だろう。各党は「消費者の利益」を基準に、是非と対策を考える姿勢で審議を尽くしてほしい。

One disturbing factor is the unmistakable eagerness of the government and the ruling coalition to approve the TPP during the current Diet session.
　気がかりなのは、今の国会でＴＰＰを承認しようという与党と政府の前のめりな姿勢だ。

All TPP 12 signatories signed the accord in February, but each country must secure the approval of its national assembly and complete all necessary procedures for the accord to take effect. Under the TPP rules, the completion of such procedures by the United States and Japan--the two leading nations--is indispensable.
　参加１２カ国は２月にＴＰＰに署名したが、発効には各国が議会承認を含めて必要な手続きを終えねばならない。ＴＰＰの規定では、２大国である米国と日本の手続き完了が不可欠だ。

But the United States is currently in the middle of its primaries season, and the front-runner presidential candidates--both Democratic and Republican--are negative toward the TPP. The prevalent thinking in America is that Congress will not approve the accord until after election day in November.
　大統領選の最中にある米国では、民主、共和両党とも有力候補はこぞってＴＰＰに否定的。議会承認は１１月の大統領選後、との見方がもっぱらである。

The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe positions the TPP as one of the pillars of its “Abenomics” economic policy. The prime minister enthuses, “Japan will take the lead to speed up the accord’s approval.” But hasty Diet deliberations must not be allowed.
　安倍政権はＴＰＰをアベノミクスの柱の一つと位置づける。「日本が率先して発効への機運を高める」と意気込むが、拙速な審議は許されない。

And if Abe is hoping to quickly settle this matter in view of the Upper House election this summer and the possibility of holding a Lower House election on the same day, he has his priorities completely wrong.
夏の参院選や、取りざたされる衆参同日選をにらみ、懸案を片付けておこうとの思惑なら本末転倒だ。

The main opposition Democratic Party is poised to focus on issues related to the reduction and elimination of tariffs on farm and fisheries products.
　民進党は、農林水産分野の関税撤廃・引き下げ問題を中心に追及する構えだ。

Three years ago, the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Committee of the Upper House as well as the Lower House voted to ensure careful handling of this matter regarding rice and four other items of greatest importance. But the Democratic Party must refrain from obsessing on whether these five items are protected under the TPP accord. The party must try not to lose sight of the big picture.
　衆参の農林水産委員会は３年前、コメなど重要５項目に十分に配慮するよう決議している。ＴＰＰの協定案が５項目を「聖域」として守っているかを突くだけでなく、幅広い視点からの議論を心がけてほしい。

Ample information is necessary to ensure thorough discussions. The government has finally agreed to disclose records of meetings between U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Akira Amari, former minister in charge of TPP negotiations, but the documents have been extensively blacked out. The government must do its best to disclose information.
　徹底した審議には十分な情報が必要だ。交渉で主役を演じた甘利明・前ＴＰＰ担当相とフロマン・米通商代表部代表の会談資料について、政府はようやく開示に応じることを決めたが、黒塗りだという。できるだけ情報公開に努めるべきだ。

We also demand anew that Amari explain the bribery suspicion he is under. If this is difficult now because of his poor health, this is all the more reason not to rush into approving the TPP accord.
　甘利氏が金銭授受疑惑について説明責任を果たすことも、改めて求めたい。体調がすぐれず難しいなら、なおさらＴＰＰの承認を急ぐべきではない。

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 5
EDITORIAL: BOJ should reconsider aggressive easing policy three years after its implementation
（社説）異次元緩和３年　限界認め、軌道修正を

Three long years have passed since the Bank of Japan, under the leadership of Governor Haruhiko Kuroda, launched its “different dimension” policy of aggressive monetary expansion.
　日本銀行が黒田東彦（はるひこ）総裁のもとで「異次元」の金融緩和を始めてから３年。

The new program started as a short-term, turbocharged effort to achieve the central bank’s policy goals within two years. The deadline passed and another full year has gone by, but the central bank has yet to hit its inflation target of 2 percent.
２年間の「短期決戦」として始まったはずの政策は、２年がすぎ、３年たっても、掲げてきた２％のインフレ目標を達成できていない。

While the BOJ has repeatedly pushed back the target date, negative effects of the radical monetary easing policy have started making themselves felt. The risks it poses to Japan’s overall economic health are steadily growing.
　日銀が期限を次々と延ばす間に、緩和に伴う副作用が目につき始め、抱えるリスクはじわじわと増している。

The BOJ should now change tack instead of enhancing and expanding this risky approach.
日銀が実行すべきなのは緩和の強化ではなく、軌道修正を図ることだ。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s pro-growth economic policy, known as Abenomics, is composed of three “arrows,” or key components. They are bold monetary easing, flexible fiscal spending and a growth strategy designed to stimulate private-sector investment.
　安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」は、（１）大胆な金融緩和（２）機動的な財政出動（３）民間投資を促す成長戦略の「３本の矢」からなる。

The Abe administration has unveiled “new three arrows” focused on measures to support nursing care and child care. But the basic framework of its economic policy agenda has remained unchanged.
政権は介護や子育て政策の充実に力点を置く「新３本の矢」を打ち出したが、政策の骨格は変わっていない。

The second and third arrows of Abe's original blueprint are nothing new. Most of his predecessors tried to boost the economy through fiscal stimulus packages comprising massive government spending and new plans to put the economy on an upward trajectory.
　当初の２、３本目の矢は目新しいものではない。多くの政権が景気対策で財政を膨らませ、成長戦略も練ってきた。

The first arrow, the extraordinary program to expand the money supply, is the unique feature of Abenomics that constitutes its core.
１本目の異次元緩和こそが異色でありアベノミクスの柱と言える。

Under this program, the BOJ buys huge amounts of government bonds to flood the economy with liquidity and thereby guides long-term interest rates to historically low levels.
　日銀が大量の国債を買いあげ、巨額のマネーを市場に注ぎ込む。そうして長期金利を歴史的な低水準に引き下げる。

Abe selected Kuroda as the central bank chief to preside over such unprecedented monetary expansion. This move, made under the slogan of “escape from deflation,” is aimed at putting the onus solely on the central bank’s monetary policy, which doesn’t impose a new financial burden on the public immediately.
安倍政権は日銀にそんな大胆な金融緩和を行わせようと黒田氏を日銀総裁に選んだ。「デフレ脱却」を旗印に、ただちに国民負担が生じるわけではない金融政策に寄りかかる構図である。

WEAK RIPPLE EFFECTS
　■弱かった波及効果

Initially, many economists praised Abenomics as a successful policy effort because it led to a weaker yen and higher stock prices. As a result, Japanese companies, especially export-oriented manufacturers, notched record earnings, which translated into pay growth, to a certain extent.
　当初、アベノミクスを「成功している」と評価する声が多かったのは、円安と株高が進んだためだ。輸出産業を中心に企業が過去最高水準の収益をあげ、賃上げも一定程度は実現した。

But the benefits of Abenomics were overestimated in a sense. When the Abe administration was inaugurated at the end of 2012, the yen had already started falling against the dollar and the euro, which had strengthened due to recovery of the U.S. economy and the defused debt crisis in Europe.
　ただ、その効果は過大評価された面がある。政権が発足した２０１２年末は米国経済の回復と欧州金融危機の沈静化を受けたドル高・ユーロ高に伴い、円安が始まっていた。

The upturn of the global economy was setting the stage for a stock market rally. Abenomics mainly served as a catalyst that caused these factors to start kicking in.
世界経済の好転で株高の環境も整いつつあった。アベノミクスがその背中を押した、というのが実態だろう。

Many economists point out that Abenomics has produced far fewer benefits for small and midsize businesses and most workers than the gains enjoyed by large companies and well-to-do individual investors.
　大企業や裕福な個人投資家が受けた恩恵に比べ、中小企業や大多数の働き手への効果が乏しいとの指摘は根強い。

The policy has failed to produce so-called “trickle-down effects,” which mean increased wealth in one sector of the economy produces benefits for other sectors as well. Japanese people’s real income has barely grown.
富が滴り落ちるように広がる「トリクルダウン」は実現せず、国民の実質所得は伸び悩む。

Japan’s real economic growth in the past three years has been by and large slower than during the previous government led by the then-Democratic Party of Japan. Abe’s economic policy program has not given any big boost to the real economy in terms of growth in consumer spending or business investment.
ここ３年の実質経済成長率はその前の民主党政権時代より総じて低く、消費や投資という実体経済への波及は弱々しい。

When the BOJ made another radical move to ramp up the money supply in February by introducing negative interest rates for part of commercial banks’ reserves at the central bank, the unwanted side effects became more pronounced.
　日銀が２月、金融機関が日銀に預ける当座預金の一部に初めてマイナス金利を導入すると、副作用が目立ち始めた。

Due partly to deteriorating economic conditions in many other countries, Japan’s stock and currency markets have been fluctuating wildly since then.
海外経済の動揺もあって、株式市場や外国為替市場では乱高下が繰り返し起こっている。

The negative interest rate policy has hit the earnings of financial institutions by reducing their profit margins and cast a pall over the long-term prospects of pension funds management.
マイナス金利は、利ざやが取れない金融機関の収益を苦しくし、資産を長期運用する年金などの持続性にも影を落とす。

DANGER OF GETTING CAUGHT IN ITS OWN TRAP
　■自縄自縛の危うさ

Still, the BOJ has remained optimistic about the effectiveness of its monetary policy. It has kept claiming it can achieve the inflation target since it still has abundant policy options to use.
　それでも日銀は強気の姿勢を崩していない。「やれる手はいくらでもある。目標は達成できる」と言い続けている。

Last year, speaking at an international conference, Kuroda referred to a passage in the story of Peter Pan saying, “The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it,” and said, “Yes, what we need is a positive attitude and conviction.”
　黒田総裁は昨年、国際会議で語った。「ピーターパンの物語に『飛べるかどうかを疑った瞬間に永遠に飛べなくなってしまう』という言葉がある。大切なのは前向きな姿勢と確信だ」

His “different dimension” monetary policy plays on people’s expectations. The idea is that if the BOJ sets a specific inflation target and promises to take every possible step to achieve it both businesses and consumers will start spending their money because of their inflationary expectations.
　異次元緩和は、期待に働きかける政策である。日銀がインフレ目標を示し、あらゆる手を打つと約束すれば、企業も消費者もそうなると考えて投資や消費におカネを使うようになる。そんな考えにもとづく。

In fact, however, the inflation rate has remained around zero due partly to lower prices of oil and other energy resources. The BOJ’s policy has not awakened inflationary expectations.
　実際には、原油などの資源安もあって足元の物価の伸びはほぼゼロで推移している。インフレ期待は高まっていない。

The BOJ seems to have avoided admitting this fact because of concerns about dousing expectations for rising prices. If so, the central bank has gotten caught in a trap it has created itself.
それでも、期待に水を差すような説明はできない。日銀はそんな自縄自縛に陥っていないか。

The BOJ already owns more than 30 percent of the government bonds outstanding, and this rate will keep rising.
　日銀はすでに国債発行残高の３割超を保有しており、比率はさらに上がっていく。

If the central bank starts financing the government’s debt through its bond-purchasing program, fiscal discipline could collapse, triggering tumbles of government bond prices and the yen’s value.
国債発行という政府の借金を日銀が手助けする「財政ファイナンス」に陥れば、財政規律が揺らぎ、国債価格や円相場の急落リスクが高まりかねない。

The longer the BOJ continues prolonging and expanding its aggressive monetary policy, the bigger the risk for the Japanese economy.
異次元緩和を強化し、長びかせるほど、日本経済が抱える危うさはマグマのようにたまっていく。

The central banks, including the BOJ, are guaranteed independence from the governments of their countries to ensure that they will not serve as policy tools of the governments. If they allow their actions to be dictated by the government, the public will have to pay the price for their distorted and misguided monetary policies.
　日銀を含む各国の中央銀行が政府からの独立を保証されているのは、政府の道具となって金融政策がゆがみ、そのツケを国民が払う事態を避けるためだ。

The BOJ should ask itself whether it is acting as an agent for the government.
今の日銀は政権の下請け機関になっていないか。

IRRESPONSIBILITY OF RELYING TOTALLY ON BOJ
　■日銀頼みの無責任

The Abe administration has started considering additional measures to stoke economic growth, including a supplementary budget. There are also rumors that the administration is considering another postponement of the scheduled hike of the consumption tax rate to 10 percent.
　安倍政権は補正予算編成を含む経済対策を検討し始め、１０％への消費増税の再延期論もくすぶる。

The government would be acting in a grossly irresponsible manner if it takes such fiscal policy measures that apparently assume that the BOJ will continue purchasing government bonds.
日銀による国債の買い支えがずっと続くことを前提にしたかのような財政運営は無責任である。

The government needs to start taking steps to restore a healthy and sustainable fiscal policy with an eye to future generations.
　将来の世代も見すえ、持続可能な財政へと再建していく。

At the same time, the government should tackle structural reforms to ensure economic growth driven by private-sector investment and consumption. These are what the administration should do.
同時に民間の投資や消費が引っぱる日本経済の発展をめざし、地道に構造改革に取り組む。それが政権の仕事だろう。

To prompt the government to embark on such sound policy efforts, the BOJ needs to explain the limitations of the effects of its radical monetary policy more clearly and in more detail to the administration.
　そう促すためにも、日銀は異次元緩和の限界について、もっと政権に対して説明する必要がある。

That would be a good first step toward correcting problems with its policy stance, which is excessively biased toward monetary easing.
それが、「緩和強化」一辺倒の路線を修正する第一歩となる。