スポンサードリンク
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Do not abandon humanities studies in reforming national universities
国立大学改革 人文系を安易に切り捨てるな
It is important for national universities to promote their own reforms so they serve as centers of knowledge.
「知の拠点」としての役割を果たせるよう、国立大学が自ら改革を進めることが重要だ。
The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has sent a notice to 86 national universities urging them to reexamine their overall organization and operations. In line with the notice, universities will be expected to draw up six-year plans of their operational targets, starting next fiscal year.
文部科学省が、８６の国立大学に対し、組織や業務の全般的な見直しを求める通知を出した。各大学は通知を踏まえて、来年度から６年間の運営目標と計画を作成する。
National universities have been granted a greater degree of freedom in operational and financial management under legislation designed to transform them into incorporated institutions in fiscal 2004. Nevertheless, there is no denying that some national universities are lackluster and lack distinctiveness.
２００４年度の国立大学法人化により、大学の運営や財務は自由度が高まった。にもかかわらず、依然として魅力や個性に乏しい大学があるのも否めない。
Colleges and universities are expected to function as institutions tasked with producing people who can work and act internationally or have the ability to vitalize regional communities. Therefore, we find it reasonable for the education ministry to issue such a notice, which calls on universities to clarify the strengths and distinctive features they possess.
大学が、グローバルに活躍する人材や地方創生の担い手を育成する機能への期待は大きい。文科省が今回の通知で、各大学に改めて、強みや特色を明確に打ち出すよう促したのは理解できる。
Last year’s amendment to the School Education Law has made it easier for university presidents to exercise leadership in administering their institutions of higher learning. It is essential that they provide a better environment for educational and research activities at their institutions, a task requiring them to appropriately exercise their vested authority in dealing with personnel and budgetary matters in a way that serves their strategic purposes.
昨年の学校教育法改正で、学長はリーダーシップを発揮しやすくなった。学長が人事や予算の権限を適切に行使し、戦略性を持って、教育・研究の環境整備を図ることが欠かせない。
But one feature of the ministry’s notice is open to question. This concerns the proposed reform at university departments and postgraduate schools devoted to literature, humanities and social science studies as well as teacher training. Universities covered by this reform have been urged to abolish some of their departments or convert them into ones dedicated to the exploration of fields in high social demand.
疑問なのは、文科省通知が、文学部など人文社会科学系や教員養成系の学部・大学院について、組織の廃止や社会的要請の高い分野への転換を迫った点だ。
Admittedly, one aspect of humanities and social science studies is that it is not easy to see what has been accomplished over the short term. In fact, the results of studies in these disciplines seem to be less tangible than those of science and technology studies, which are conducive to the creation of new industries, as well as medical courses that lead to progress in medical technology. In many cases, graduates from humanities and social science faculties land jobs that have nothing to do with their major fields of study.
確かに人文社会系は、研究結果が新産業の創出や医療技術の進歩などに結びつく理工系や医学系に比べて、短期では成果が見えにくい側面がある。卒業生が専攻分野と直接かかわりのない会社に就職するケースも少なくない。
Proper balance required
With an increasing number of corporations saying they cannot afford to train employees, industrial circles are strongly pressing colleges and universities to have their students acquire practical skills helpful to them when they enter the workplace after graduation. Some people even go so far as to say it would be more profitable for students to be trained to gain high scores in English proficiency tests, rather than being taught English literature.
社内教育のゆとりが持てない企業が増える中、産業界には、仕事で役立つ実践力を大学で磨くべきだとの声が強まっている。英文学を教えるより、英語検定試験で高得点をとらせる指導をした方が有益だという極論すら聞こえる。
However, it should be noted that students who explore classical works, philosophy and history will be able to acquire viewpoints that will allow them to look at things from different perspectives. Such students can also expect to develop a mental attitude marked by a respect for different values. We believe one important task for colleges and universities is to help students gain a broad range of general knowledge and deep insight.
だが、古典や哲学、歴史などの探究を通じて、物事を多面的に見る眼めや、様々な価値観を尊重する姿勢が養われる。大学は、幅広い教養や深い洞察力を学生に身に付けさせる場でもあるはずだ。
What is needed is to make sure colleges and universities conduct educational and research activities in a manner that ensures a proper balance between humanities and social science studies and those of science and technology.
必要なのは、人文社会系と理工系のバランスが取れた教育と研究を行うことだろう。
Beginning next fiscal year, the education ministry plans to grant universities larger subsidies to help cover operational expenses if they are willing to promote organizational reforms. In assessing the degree of each university’s success in such endeavors, the ministry reportedly will use such yardsticks as the outcome of students’ job hunting activities and university-launched venture activities. Another yardstick will be the extent to which progress has been made in putting intellectual property into practical use.
文科省は来年度以降、積極的に組織改革を進める大学に、運営費交付金を重点的に配分する方針だ。学生の就職実績や、大学発ベンチャーの活動、知的財産の実用化の状況といった指標を基に、評価するという。
With the government’s dire fiscal situation in mind, it also will be necessary to allocate more budgetary resources where truly necessary, and less elsewhere. However, our nation’s university education could eventually lack depth if mistakes are made in judging what society really wants from institutions of higher learning, a move that could lead to abandoning humanities and social science studies.
厳しい財政事情を踏まえれば、メリハリをつけた予算配分も大切だろう。ただ、「社会的要請」を読み誤って、人文社会系の学問を切り捨てれば、大学教育が底の浅いものになりかねない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2015)
Do not abandon humanities studies in reforming national universities
国立大学改革 人文系を安易に切り捨てるな
It is important for national universities to promote their own reforms so they serve as centers of knowledge.
「知の拠点」としての役割を果たせるよう、国立大学が自ら改革を進めることが重要だ。
The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has sent a notice to 86 national universities urging them to reexamine their overall organization and operations. In line with the notice, universities will be expected to draw up six-year plans of their operational targets, starting next fiscal year.
文部科学省が、８６の国立大学に対し、組織や業務の全般的な見直しを求める通知を出した。各大学は通知を踏まえて、来年度から６年間の運営目標と計画を作成する。
National universities have been granted a greater degree of freedom in operational and financial management under legislation designed to transform them into incorporated institutions in fiscal 2004. Nevertheless, there is no denying that some national universities are lackluster and lack distinctiveness.
２００４年度の国立大学法人化により、大学の運営や財務は自由度が高まった。にもかかわらず、依然として魅力や個性に乏しい大学があるのも否めない。
Colleges and universities are expected to function as institutions tasked with producing people who can work and act internationally or have the ability to vitalize regional communities. Therefore, we find it reasonable for the education ministry to issue such a notice, which calls on universities to clarify the strengths and distinctive features they possess.
大学が、グローバルに活躍する人材や地方創生の担い手を育成する機能への期待は大きい。文科省が今回の通知で、各大学に改めて、強みや特色を明確に打ち出すよう促したのは理解できる。
Last year’s amendment to the School Education Law has made it easier for university presidents to exercise leadership in administering their institutions of higher learning. It is essential that they provide a better environment for educational and research activities at their institutions, a task requiring them to appropriately exercise their vested authority in dealing with personnel and budgetary matters in a way that serves their strategic purposes.
昨年の学校教育法改正で、学長はリーダーシップを発揮しやすくなった。学長が人事や予算の権限を適切に行使し、戦略性を持って、教育・研究の環境整備を図ることが欠かせない。
But one feature of the ministry’s notice is open to question. This concerns the proposed reform at university departments and postgraduate schools devoted to literature, humanities and social science studies as well as teacher training. Universities covered by this reform have been urged to abolish some of their departments or convert them into ones dedicated to the exploration of fields in high social demand.
疑問なのは、文科省通知が、文学部など人文社会科学系や教員養成系の学部・大学院について、組織の廃止や社会的要請の高い分野への転換を迫った点だ。
Admittedly, one aspect of humanities and social science studies is that it is not easy to see what has been accomplished over the short term. In fact, the results of studies in these disciplines seem to be less tangible than those of science and technology studies, which are conducive to the creation of new industries, as well as medical courses that lead to progress in medical technology. In many cases, graduates from humanities and social science faculties land jobs that have nothing to do with their major fields of study.
確かに人文社会系は、研究結果が新産業の創出や医療技術の進歩などに結びつく理工系や医学系に比べて、短期では成果が見えにくい側面がある。卒業生が専攻分野と直接かかわりのない会社に就職するケースも少なくない。
Proper balance required
With an increasing number of corporations saying they cannot afford to train employees, industrial circles are strongly pressing colleges and universities to have their students acquire practical skills helpful to them when they enter the workplace after graduation. Some people even go so far as to say it would be more profitable for students to be trained to gain high scores in English proficiency tests, rather than being taught English literature.
社内教育のゆとりが持てない企業が増える中、産業界には、仕事で役立つ実践力を大学で磨くべきだとの声が強まっている。英文学を教えるより、英語検定試験で高得点をとらせる指導をした方が有益だという極論すら聞こえる。
However, it should be noted that students who explore classical works, philosophy and history will be able to acquire viewpoints that will allow them to look at things from different perspectives. Such students can also expect to develop a mental attitude marked by a respect for different values. We believe one important task for colleges and universities is to help students gain a broad range of general knowledge and deep insight.
だが、古典や哲学、歴史などの探究を通じて、物事を多面的に見る眼めや、様々な価値観を尊重する姿勢が養われる。大学は、幅広い教養や深い洞察力を学生に身に付けさせる場でもあるはずだ。
What is needed is to make sure colleges and universities conduct educational and research activities in a manner that ensures a proper balance between humanities and social science studies and those of science and technology.
必要なのは、人文社会系と理工系のバランスが取れた教育と研究を行うことだろう。
Beginning next fiscal year, the education ministry plans to grant universities larger subsidies to help cover operational expenses if they are willing to promote organizational reforms. In assessing the degree of each university’s success in such endeavors, the ministry reportedly will use such yardsticks as the outcome of students’ job hunting activities and university-launched venture activities. Another yardstick will be the extent to which progress has been made in putting intellectual property into practical use.
文科省は来年度以降、積極的に組織改革を進める大学に、運営費交付金を重点的に配分する方針だ。学生の就職実績や、大学発ベンチャーの活動、知的財産の実用化の状況といった指標を基に、評価するという。
With the government’s dire fiscal situation in mind, it also will be necessary to allocate more budgetary resources where truly necessary, and less elsewhere. However, our nation’s university education could eventually lack depth if mistakes are made in judging what society really wants from institutions of higher learning, a move that could lead to abandoning humanities and social science studies.
厳しい財政事情を踏まえれば、メリハリをつけた予算配分も大切だろう。ただ、「社会的要請」を読み誤って、人文社会系の学問を切り捨てれば、大学教育が底の浅いものになりかねない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 17, 2015)
June 14, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Have the courage to leave work early
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：仕事切り上げる勇気も ／東京
I am dispatched from the hospital where I work to a number of companies to check on the health of their employees. In accordance with the Industrial Safety and Health Act, I do as many interviews with employees working over 80 or more hours of overtime a month as I can.
勤務している病院から派遣され、いくつかの企業の健康管理室で産業医という業務についている。企業サイドにも立ちながら、働く人たちの健康管理に携わるのが役目だ。労働安全衛生法に従って、月８０時間以上残業している従業員の面接もできる限り行っている。
If long work hours and abnormal living habits go on for a long time, they are said to lead to a buildup of exhaustion, higher risk of depression and problems with the heart or blood vessels in the brain. With that in mind, I conduct my interviews and offer lifestyle guidance, but sometimes I feel powerless. A typical conversation with an employee goes like:
長時間労働やその結果としての不規則な生活が続くと、疲労が蓄積し、脳血管や心臓疾患、うつ病などのメンタル疾患のリスクが高まると言われる。面接ではその観点に基づいて健康チェックをし、生活指導を行うが、ときどきむなしい気持ちに襲われる。
"Are you tired?"
「疲れてますか？」
"I'm tired."
「疲れてます」
"Do you eat meals regularly?"
「食事は規則的に食べてますか？」
"I always eat dinner late at night."
「いつも夕食は深夜です」
"Do you play any sports on your days off?"
「休日にスポーツなどは」
"I don't. I just sleep."
「してません。寝てるだけです」といった会話が続くのだ。
Often, it ends with me asking, "Can you do anything to change your way of working?" and them saying, "That would be difficult."
そして最後は、「その働き方、どうにかなりませんかね」「うーん、むずかしいですね」で終わることが多い。
Lately, perhaps because of the improved economy, many people say their workloads have increased. Companies may be happy with this, but not necessarily employees. Some men tell me that due to their long work hours, they cannot help with house chores or child-raising and are on bad terms with their wives.
とくに最近は景気が上向きになってきたせいもあってか、業務量が増えたという人も少なくない。会社としてはうれしいかもしれないが、働く側にとってはそうとも言えない。長時間労働の結果、家事や育児にもまったく参加できず、妻と険悪になっていると話してくれる男性もいる。
From Japan's period of rapid economic growth through to its bubble period, many people in Japan worked overtime until late at night, believing a myth that "the harder you work, the happier you and your family and society will be." However, this led to a sharp increase in the number of suicides and depressed patients, a fallen birthrate and a lack of international competitiveness. Everyone lost out, yet once again we might be on the cusp of entering an overworking society.
高度成長期からバブル時代にかけて、日本社会は「働けば働くほど自分も家族も世の中も幸せになる」という幻想を多くの人が信じ、深夜までの残業もいとわず誰もが働き続けてきた。しかしその後、自殺者やうつ病患者は激増、少子化には歯止めがかからず、国際競争力も上がらず、誰もが損をするような結果になったのである。それなのに、また私たちは「働きすぎ社会」に突入しようとしているのだろうか。
I often tell companies' personnel divisions, "It's good that employees are working, but if they fall ill, take sick leave or quit, that is a big blow to the firm, right? Instead, I think it will benefit the company and them to let them take time off, have a good family life, and work with their body and mind at peak condition."
私は企業の人事課には、よくこんなことを言っている。「どんどん働いてもらうのはいいけれど、その人が倒れて休んだり辞めてしまったりするのは、会社にも大きな損失ですよね。それより休むときはきちんと休んでもらって、家庭も円満、心身ともベストな状態で力を発揮してもらうのが、会社のためにもなると思いますよ」
An upturn in the economy is a wonderful thing, but if more work brings better company results, hardworking people will always want to push themselves harder, putting aside their exhaustion and working until late at night.
景気が好転するのはおおいにけっこうなこと。働けば働くだけ業績が上がれば、まじめな人はどうしても「もっとがんばりたい」と疲れも気にせず遅い時間まで仕事をしてしまう。
However, studies show that that will not make you or your family happy. It is necessary to have the courage to end your day's work while you still have energy left.
しかし、それが自分や家族をハッピーにしないことは、調査結果などが明らかにしている。余力を残しながら仕事を切り上げる。そんな“勇気”も必要だろう。
（精神科医）
(Answers by Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年06月09日 地方版
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Have the courage to leave work early
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：仕事切り上げる勇気も ／東京
I am dispatched from the hospital where I work to a number of companies to check on the health of their employees. In accordance with the Industrial Safety and Health Act, I do as many interviews with employees working over 80 or more hours of overtime a month as I can.
勤務している病院から派遣され、いくつかの企業の健康管理室で産業医という業務についている。企業サイドにも立ちながら、働く人たちの健康管理に携わるのが役目だ。労働安全衛生法に従って、月８０時間以上残業している従業員の面接もできる限り行っている。
If long work hours and abnormal living habits go on for a long time, they are said to lead to a buildup of exhaustion, higher risk of depression and problems with the heart or blood vessels in the brain. With that in mind, I conduct my interviews and offer lifestyle guidance, but sometimes I feel powerless. A typical conversation with an employee goes like:
長時間労働やその結果としての不規則な生活が続くと、疲労が蓄積し、脳血管や心臓疾患、うつ病などのメンタル疾患のリスクが高まると言われる。面接ではその観点に基づいて健康チェックをし、生活指導を行うが、ときどきむなしい気持ちに襲われる。
"Are you tired?"
「疲れてますか？」
"I'm tired."
「疲れてます」
"Do you eat meals regularly?"
「食事は規則的に食べてますか？」
"I always eat dinner late at night."
「いつも夕食は深夜です」
"Do you play any sports on your days off?"
「休日にスポーツなどは」
"I don't. I just sleep."
「してません。寝てるだけです」といった会話が続くのだ。
Often, it ends with me asking, "Can you do anything to change your way of working?" and them saying, "That would be difficult."
そして最後は、「その働き方、どうにかなりませんかね」「うーん、むずかしいですね」で終わることが多い。
Lately, perhaps because of the improved economy, many people say their workloads have increased. Companies may be happy with this, but not necessarily employees. Some men tell me that due to their long work hours, they cannot help with house chores or child-raising and are on bad terms with their wives.
とくに最近は景気が上向きになってきたせいもあってか、業務量が増えたという人も少なくない。会社としてはうれしいかもしれないが、働く側にとってはそうとも言えない。長時間労働の結果、家事や育児にもまったく参加できず、妻と険悪になっていると話してくれる男性もいる。
From Japan's period of rapid economic growth through to its bubble period, many people in Japan worked overtime until late at night, believing a myth that "the harder you work, the happier you and your family and society will be." However, this led to a sharp increase in the number of suicides and depressed patients, a fallen birthrate and a lack of international competitiveness. Everyone lost out, yet once again we might be on the cusp of entering an overworking society.
高度成長期からバブル時代にかけて、日本社会は「働けば働くほど自分も家族も世の中も幸せになる」という幻想を多くの人が信じ、深夜までの残業もいとわず誰もが働き続けてきた。しかしその後、自殺者やうつ病患者は激増、少子化には歯止めがかからず、国際競争力も上がらず、誰もが損をするような結果になったのである。それなのに、また私たちは「働きすぎ社会」に突入しようとしているのだろうか。
I often tell companies' personnel divisions, "It's good that employees are working, but if they fall ill, take sick leave or quit, that is a big blow to the firm, right? Instead, I think it will benefit the company and them to let them take time off, have a good family life, and work with their body and mind at peak condition."
私は企業の人事課には、よくこんなことを言っている。「どんどん働いてもらうのはいいけれど、その人が倒れて休んだり辞めてしまったりするのは、会社にも大きな損失ですよね。それより休むときはきちんと休んでもらって、家庭も円満、心身ともベストな状態で力を発揮してもらうのが、会社のためにもなると思いますよ」
An upturn in the economy is a wonderful thing, but if more work brings better company results, hardworking people will always want to push themselves harder, putting aside their exhaustion and working until late at night.
景気が好転するのはおおいにけっこうなこと。働けば働くだけ業績が上がれば、まじめな人はどうしても「もっとがんばりたい」と疲れも気にせず遅い時間まで仕事をしてしまう。
However, studies show that that will not make you or your family happy. It is necessary to have the courage to end your day's work while you still have energy left.
しかし、それが自分や家族をハッピーにしないことは、調査結果などが明らかにしている。余力を残しながら仕事を切り上げる。そんな“勇気”も必要だろう。
（精神科医）
(Answers by Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年06月09日 地方版
May 31, 2015(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Experts should reach out to those in need
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：“支援の出前”よろしく ／東京
A recent fire at a boarding house in Kawasaki turned into a major tragedy that killed at least nine people, and there could be more victims.
大惨事になった川崎市の簡易宿泊所火災。現在９人の死亡が確認されているが、ほかにも名簿にはない犠牲者がいる可能性があるのだという。
Previously, the kind of boarding house involved in this fire was used by one-day workers hired for jobs like construction. These days, elderly living on welfare benefits, people with health problems, and others stay in these facilities long-term, using them as residences. The amount of space per person is very small, and bathrooms and sinks are shared. Many of the residents have no family, or even if they do, are out of touch with them.
かつては日雇いで建設業などに従事する人が利用していた簡易宿泊所だが、現在は生活保護を受給している高齢者や健康の問題を抱えた人が長期滞在するなど、“住まい”として利用する人が増えているという。ひとりあたりのスペースはきわめて限られていて、トイレや洗面所も共同。多くの人は家族がいないか、いても関係が途絶えており、孤立した生活を送っている。
Once a lawyer I know told me a story. Among the people in these boarding houses are those with heavy debts, moving from house to house as they run away from debt collectors. However, in many cases if a lawyer or other expert stepped in and helped them, their debt problems could be resolved, the lawyer said.
あるとき弁護士の知人が話してくれたことがあった。宿泊者の中には、多重債務を抱えて取り立てから逃げ回り、全国の簡易宿泊所を転々としている人もいる。しかしその多くは、弁護士などが間に入って整理すれば、解決策が見つかるような借金などだという。
"One person was being demanded to pay large amounts of completely unnecessary interest and had been running from debt collectors for many years. When a lawyer visited the boarding house on a voluntary basis and talked to the person, the problem of 10 years was solved in only 15 minutes," the lawyer told me.
「ある人はまったく返す必要のない高額の利子を要求され、長年、逃げ続けていました。弁護士がボランティアで簡易宿泊所を訪れて話したら、１０年間の問題が何と１５分で解決したんです」
Among those staying long-term in these boarding houses are probably people suffering from problems that they could solve if they borrowed the wisdom of experts. Furthermore, they could surely achieve a more stable life and receive proper medical care if they used the various public support systems that exist. However, these people haven't the ability to seek help from experts or support systems themselves, and have no one around them to give them advice.
おそらく長期滞在者の中には、そのように専門家の知恵を借りたら答えが見つかるような問題に苦しみ続ける人もいるだろう。また、いろいろな公的な制度を使えばもっと生活が安定したり適切な医療を受けたりできる人もいるに違いない。ただ、彼らは自分から専門家や制度を利用することができず、まわりにもアドバイスしてくれる人がいないのだ。
"This is why it is important that medical and legal experts and social welfare workers not just wait in their offices, but head out to the places where they are needed," the lawyer told me. Such efforts are called outreach services.
先の弁護士は「だからこそ法律や医療の専門家や福祉の担当者が事務所で待っているのではなくて、こちらから必要とされる場所に出向くことが大切なんですよ」と言っていた。いわば“専門家の出前”だが、それをアウトリーチ型の支援と呼ぶそうだ。
Of course, many experts and administrative workers are busy with their regular jobs and cannot suddenly decide to go to a boarding house and offer free help. However, as the population ages and economic gaps grow, it is predicted that the number of elderly people living alone in these houses, with nowhere else to go as they bear isolation and sickness, will only increase.
もちろん、多くの専門家や行政担当者は自分たちの日常の仕事で忙しく、なかなか「さあ、今日はあの簡易宿泊所に出向いて無料相談会を開いてみようかな」とはならないだろう。ただ、高齢化や格差の拡大が進むいま、どこにも行き場がなく、簡易宿泊所にたどり着き、孤独や病気に耐えながらひっそり暮らす高齢者はこれからますます増えることが予想される。
I want to tell these people, don't hesitate to depend on experts and support systems, and I want to ask experts to keep up their outreach services. I also pray from my heart that no more tragedies like the recent boarding house fire occur.
その人たちには「専門家や制度に頼ることをためらわないで」と伝え、また担当者には「これからは“支援の出前”もよろしく」とお願いしたい。そして今回の火災のような悲劇が二度と起こらないことを心から祈りたい。
（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年05月26日 地方版
齢
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Experts should reach out to those in need
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：“支援の出前”よろしく ／東京
A recent fire at a boarding house in Kawasaki turned into a major tragedy that killed at least nine people, and there could be more victims.
大惨事になった川崎市の簡易宿泊所火災。現在９人の死亡が確認されているが、ほかにも名簿にはない犠牲者がいる可能性があるのだという。
Previously, the kind of boarding house involved in this fire was used by one-day workers hired for jobs like construction. These days, elderly living on welfare benefits, people with health problems, and others stay in these facilities long-term, using them as residences. The amount of space per person is very small, and bathrooms and sinks are shared. Many of the residents have no family, or even if they do, are out of touch with them.
かつては日雇いで建設業などに従事する人が利用していた簡易宿泊所だが、現在は生活保護を受給している高齢者や健康の問題を抱えた人が長期滞在するなど、“住まい”として利用する人が増えているという。ひとりあたりのスペースはきわめて限られていて、トイレや洗面所も共同。多くの人は家族がいないか、いても関係が途絶えており、孤立した生活を送っている。
Once a lawyer I know told me a story. Among the people in these boarding houses are those with heavy debts, moving from house to house as they run away from debt collectors. However, in many cases if a lawyer or other expert stepped in and helped them, their debt problems could be resolved, the lawyer said.
あるとき弁護士の知人が話してくれたことがあった。宿泊者の中には、多重債務を抱えて取り立てから逃げ回り、全国の簡易宿泊所を転々としている人もいる。しかしその多くは、弁護士などが間に入って整理すれば、解決策が見つかるような借金などだという。
"One person was being demanded to pay large amounts of completely unnecessary interest and had been running from debt collectors for many years. When a lawyer visited the boarding house on a voluntary basis and talked to the person, the problem of 10 years was solved in only 15 minutes," the lawyer told me.
「ある人はまったく返す必要のない高額の利子を要求され、長年、逃げ続けていました。弁護士がボランティアで簡易宿泊所を訪れて話したら、１０年間の問題が何と１５分で解決したんです」
Among those staying long-term in these boarding houses are probably people suffering from problems that they could solve if they borrowed the wisdom of experts. Furthermore, they could surely achieve a more stable life and receive proper medical care if they used the various public support systems that exist. However, these people haven't the ability to seek help from experts or support systems themselves, and have no one around them to give them advice.
おそらく長期滞在者の中には、そのように専門家の知恵を借りたら答えが見つかるような問題に苦しみ続ける人もいるだろう。また、いろいろな公的な制度を使えばもっと生活が安定したり適切な医療を受けたりできる人もいるに違いない。ただ、彼らは自分から専門家や制度を利用することができず、まわりにもアドバイスしてくれる人がいないのだ。
"This is why it is important that medical and legal experts and social welfare workers not just wait in their offices, but head out to the places where they are needed," the lawyer told me. Such efforts are called outreach services.
先の弁護士は「だからこそ法律や医療の専門家や福祉の担当者が事務所で待っているのではなくて、こちらから必要とされる場所に出向くことが大切なんですよ」と言っていた。いわば“専門家の出前”だが、それをアウトリーチ型の支援と呼ぶそうだ。
Of course, many experts and administrative workers are busy with their regular jobs and cannot suddenly decide to go to a boarding house and offer free help. However, as the population ages and economic gaps grow, it is predicted that the number of elderly people living alone in these houses, with nowhere else to go as they bear isolation and sickness, will only increase.
もちろん、多くの専門家や行政担当者は自分たちの日常の仕事で忙しく、なかなか「さあ、今日はあの簡易宿泊所に出向いて無料相談会を開いてみようかな」とはならないだろう。ただ、高齢化や格差の拡大が進むいま、どこにも行き場がなく、簡易宿泊所にたどり着き、孤独や病気に耐えながらひっそり暮らす高齢者はこれからますます増えることが予想される。
I want to tell these people, don't hesitate to depend on experts and support systems, and I want to ask experts to keep up their outreach services. I also pray from my heart that no more tragedies like the recent boarding house fire occur.
その人たちには「専門家や制度に頼ることをためらわないで」と伝え、また担当者には「これからは“支援の出前”もよろしく」とお願いしたい。そして今回の火災のような悲劇が二度と起こらないことを心から祈りたい。
（精神科医）
(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞 2015年05月26日 地方版
齢
--The Asahi Shimbun, June 2
（社説）南シナ海問題 中国は埋め立て中止を
EDITORIAL: China must immediately stop land reclamation in South China Sea
A senior Chinese military officer has offered some insight into what China is trying to achieve in land reclamation work on reefs in the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
At a security summit held in Singapore, Chinese Adm. Sun Jianguo stated on May 31 that Beijing has military objectives in mind.
The admiral, who is deputy chief of staff of the People’s Liberation Army, told the annual meeting known as the Shangri-La Dialogue that the undertaking is partly aimed at meeting the country's “necessary defense needs.” He also indicated that an airstrip being built on one of the reefs will be used for both military and civilian purposes.
南シナ海のスプラトリー（南沙）諸島で、中国が進めている岩礁埋め立ての狙いは何か。
シンガポールであったアジア安全保障会議で、中国軍の孫建国・副総参謀長が、軍事目的があることを明言した。
埋め立てについて「防衛上の必要な軍事的要請に応える」とし、建設中の滑走路を「軍民共用」とする見通しも示した。
His remarks are totally unacceptable. The reefs in this area are claimed by several neighboring countries in territorial disputes. China’s attempt to unilaterally create a fait accompli by force clearly violates international rules. China should stop the reclamation work immediately.
全く容認できない発言である。この海域の岩礁は近隣国が領有権をめぐり争っている。力による一方的な既成事実化は明らかに国際ルールに反する。埋め立てを即刻中止すべきだ。
On Fiery Cross Reef, a runway is emerging on land reclaimed by China. It is becoming the largest patch of ground in the Spratly Islands, a group of hundreds of reefs, islets and atolls in waters close to vital shipping lanes.
ファイアリークロス礁と呼ばれる環礁では、埋め立てによる滑走路が姿を現し、スプラトリーで最大の面積になろうとしている。
China may establish an air defense identification zone over the land it is reclaiming.
これらを拠点に防空識別圏を設ける可能性がある。
A defense white paper released by the Chinese government on May 26 declared a shift in the focus of its defense strategy toward naval operations, promising to put higher priority on the navy than on the army. Sun’s remarks reflect this strategic shift.
中国政府が先週発表した国防白書は、陸軍よりも海軍に重点を置くとする海洋重視戦略を明確に掲げた。孫氏の発言はその線に沿ったものだ。
In expanding its presence in the South China Sea, China is apparently trying to acquire military capabilities to control important shipping lanes as well as seeking to secure fisheries and seabed resources.
南シナ海への進出には、漁業資源や海底資源の確保に加え、重要海路を支配する軍事力を確立する狙いがあるとみられる。
Sun also cited “maritime scientific research” and “environmental protection” as objectives for reclamation work. But reclamation amounts to nothing less than destruction of the environment.
孫氏は「海洋科学研究」「環境保護」も目的に挙げるが、埋め立ては環境破壊ではないか。
Beijing seems to be confident that its behavior will not lead to sanctions by other countries, despite the international criticism. But this is the arrogance of a major power.
他国から非難されても、制裁は受けないとの見通しがあるようだが、それは大国の傲慢（ごうまん）だ。
China has defended its actions in the South China Sea by saying they are within its sovereignty. This argument is based on China’s claim that history warrants its sovereignty over the vast expanses of the resource-rich and strategically important South China Sea within the “nine-dashed line,” or a U-shaped demarcation line used by the Chinese government for its territorial claims of most of the South China Sea.
中国はこうした活動を「自国の主権の範囲内」としている。その前提には、南シナ海の大部分をＵ字形に囲った「９段線」内に歴史的優先権があるとする主張がある。
In maps used in China, the line is drawn as if it constituted part of the country’s national borders. But the line is not based on any solid legal grounds in terms of international law.
中国で流通している地図にはその線が国境のように引かれているが、国際法上、説明がつくものではない。
The Chinese administration of President Xi Jinping has pledged to pursue diplomatic relations with neighboring countries based on the principles of “sincerity” and “mutual benefits.”
習近平（シーチンピン）政権は、周辺国との外交の方針として「誠実」や「互恵」を掲げたはずだ。
Beijing has reached a series of agreements with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on peaceful solutions to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
東南アジア諸国連合とは、南シナ海問題の平和的解決をめざす合意を重ねた経緯もある。
China should realize that its strong-arm actions with regard to these issues are undermining the trust of its neighbors.
力任せの行動が信頼を損ねている事実を自覚するべきだ。
It is also worrisome that a number of Southeast Asian countries are expanding and enhancing their naval power in response to China’s actions.
中国の動きを受け、東南アジア各国が海軍力の強化に動いているのも心配だ。
The Philippines is reinforcing its military bases on islands under its effective control, while Vietnam is reportedly reclaiming land on reefs.
フィリピンは実効支配する島で軍事基地を強化し、ベトナムも岩礁の埋め立てをしていると伝えられる。
U.S. military operations aimed at keeping China land reclamation work in check could also further exacerbate tensions in the area.
中国を牽制（けんせい）する米軍の行動も緊張を高めかねない。
Taiwan, which maintains effective control over one island, recently proposed that all the claimants agree to shelve the territorial disputes and work together to develop resources.
この海域で実効支配する島を持つ台湾は最近、領有権争いの棚上げと、資源の共同開発などを提案した。
Taiwan’s proposal is worth serious consideration, even though Taipei cannot take part in international talks over such issues because of its relationship with China.
中国との関係で国際協議に加われない立場ではあるが、傾聴に値する。
Serious international efforts to restore peace and calm in the South China Sea are needed immediately. Otherwise, the situation will continue to deteriorate rapidly.
南シナ海を穏やかな海に戻す努力をすぐに始めなければ、事態は悪化するばかりだ。
（社説）南シナ海問題 中国は埋め立て中止を
EDITORIAL: China must immediately stop land reclamation in South China Sea
A senior Chinese military officer has offered some insight into what China is trying to achieve in land reclamation work on reefs in the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
At a security summit held in Singapore, Chinese Adm. Sun Jianguo stated on May 31 that Beijing has military objectives in mind.
The admiral, who is deputy chief of staff of the People’s Liberation Army, told the annual meeting known as the Shangri-La Dialogue that the undertaking is partly aimed at meeting the country's “necessary defense needs.” He also indicated that an airstrip being built on one of the reefs will be used for both military and civilian purposes.
南シナ海のスプラトリー（南沙）諸島で、中国が進めている岩礁埋め立ての狙いは何か。
シンガポールであったアジア安全保障会議で、中国軍の孫建国・副総参謀長が、軍事目的があることを明言した。
埋め立てについて「防衛上の必要な軍事的要請に応える」とし、建設中の滑走路を「軍民共用」とする見通しも示した。
His remarks are totally unacceptable. The reefs in this area are claimed by several neighboring countries in territorial disputes. China’s attempt to unilaterally create a fait accompli by force clearly violates international rules. China should stop the reclamation work immediately.
全く容認できない発言である。この海域の岩礁は近隣国が領有権をめぐり争っている。力による一方的な既成事実化は明らかに国際ルールに反する。埋め立てを即刻中止すべきだ。
On Fiery Cross Reef, a runway is emerging on land reclaimed by China. It is becoming the largest patch of ground in the Spratly Islands, a group of hundreds of reefs, islets and atolls in waters close to vital shipping lanes.
ファイアリークロス礁と呼ばれる環礁では、埋め立てによる滑走路が姿を現し、スプラトリーで最大の面積になろうとしている。
China may establish an air defense identification zone over the land it is reclaiming.
これらを拠点に防空識別圏を設ける可能性がある。
A defense white paper released by the Chinese government on May 26 declared a shift in the focus of its defense strategy toward naval operations, promising to put higher priority on the navy than on the army. Sun’s remarks reflect this strategic shift.
中国政府が先週発表した国防白書は、陸軍よりも海軍に重点を置くとする海洋重視戦略を明確に掲げた。孫氏の発言はその線に沿ったものだ。
In expanding its presence in the South China Sea, China is apparently trying to acquire military capabilities to control important shipping lanes as well as seeking to secure fisheries and seabed resources.
南シナ海への進出には、漁業資源や海底資源の確保に加え、重要海路を支配する軍事力を確立する狙いがあるとみられる。
Sun also cited “maritime scientific research” and “environmental protection” as objectives for reclamation work. But reclamation amounts to nothing less than destruction of the environment.
孫氏は「海洋科学研究」「環境保護」も目的に挙げるが、埋め立ては環境破壊ではないか。
Beijing seems to be confident that its behavior will not lead to sanctions by other countries, despite the international criticism. But this is the arrogance of a major power.
他国から非難されても、制裁は受けないとの見通しがあるようだが、それは大国の傲慢（ごうまん）だ。
China has defended its actions in the South China Sea by saying they are within its sovereignty. This argument is based on China’s claim that history warrants its sovereignty over the vast expanses of the resource-rich and strategically important South China Sea within the “nine-dashed line,” or a U-shaped demarcation line used by the Chinese government for its territorial claims of most of the South China Sea.
中国はこうした活動を「自国の主権の範囲内」としている。その前提には、南シナ海の大部分をＵ字形に囲った「９段線」内に歴史的優先権があるとする主張がある。
In maps used in China, the line is drawn as if it constituted part of the country’s national borders. But the line is not based on any solid legal grounds in terms of international law.
中国で流通している地図にはその線が国境のように引かれているが、国際法上、説明がつくものではない。
The Chinese administration of President Xi Jinping has pledged to pursue diplomatic relations with neighboring countries based on the principles of “sincerity” and “mutual benefits.”
習近平（シーチンピン）政権は、周辺国との外交の方針として「誠実」や「互恵」を掲げたはずだ。
Beijing has reached a series of agreements with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on peaceful solutions to territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
東南アジア諸国連合とは、南シナ海問題の平和的解決をめざす合意を重ねた経緯もある。
China should realize that its strong-arm actions with regard to these issues are undermining the trust of its neighbors.
力任せの行動が信頼を損ねている事実を自覚するべきだ。
It is also worrisome that a number of Southeast Asian countries are expanding and enhancing their naval power in response to China’s actions.
中国の動きを受け、東南アジア各国が海軍力の強化に動いているのも心配だ。
The Philippines is reinforcing its military bases on islands under its effective control, while Vietnam is reportedly reclaiming land on reefs.
フィリピンは実効支配する島で軍事基地を強化し、ベトナムも岩礁の埋め立てをしていると伝えられる。
U.S. military operations aimed at keeping China land reclamation work in check could also further exacerbate tensions in the area.
中国を牽制（けんせい）する米軍の行動も緊張を高めかねない。
Taiwan, which maintains effective control over one island, recently proposed that all the claimants agree to shelve the territorial disputes and work together to develop resources.
この海域で実効支配する島を持つ台湾は最近、領有権争いの棚上げと、資源の共同開発などを提案した。
Taiwan’s proposal is worth serious consideration, even though Taipei cannot take part in international talks over such issues because of its relationship with China.
中国との関係で国際協議に加われない立場ではあるが、傾聴に値する。
Serious international efforts to restore peace and calm in the South China Sea are needed immediately. Otherwise, the situation will continue to deteriorate rapidly.
南シナ海を穏やかな海に戻す努力をすぐに始めなければ、事態は悪化するばかりだ。
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Unity key to dealing with China’s construction of artificial island
南シナ海情勢 人工島を合法と強弁する中国
China’s provocative stance toward Asian security has been brought into sharp focus at a recent international conference. The countries concerned must bolster unity to regain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
アジアの安全保障秩序に挑戦する中国の姿が浮き彫りになった。南シナ海の平和と安定を取り戻すために、関係国は結束しなければならない。
Defense ministers and military experts from Asia and elsewhere exchanged views on security issues during a recent Asia Security Summit meeting in Singapore. It was a natural development that the focus of the conference was China’s accelerated reclamation efforts around rock reefs in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
アジア諸国などの国防相や軍事専門家らが議論を交わすアジア安全保障会議がシンガポールで開かれた。中国が南シナ海のスプラトリー（南沙）諸島で急ぐ岩礁の埋め立てが焦点になったのは、当然の流れである。
In a speech at the meeting, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter criticized China over its reclamation project, saying it “has become a source of tension in the region” and “the United States is deeply concerned about the pace and scope of land reclamation.” Carter thus demanded that China halt its reclamation immediately.
カーター米国防長官は講演で、埋め立てについて、「地域の緊張の原因だ。その速度や規模を深く懸念する」と中国を非難しつつ、即時中止するよう強く迫った。
His demand is based on the belief that sea-lanes might be threatened due to the rapid transformation of a reclaimed artificial island into a military base.
埋め立てた人工島の軍事基地化が加速し、海上輸送路（シーレーン）が脅かされかねない、との判断からだろう。
On the sidelines of the security conference, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, Australian Defense Minister Kevin Andrews and Carter held trilateral talks and issued a joint statement, expressing their “serious concern” over the Chinese land reclamation work. This was extremely significant.
会議に合わせて、中谷防衛相と、カーター国防長官、アンドリューズ豪国防相が会談し、埋め立てに対する「深刻な懸念」を共同声明で示した意義は大きい。
It is necessary to disseminate widely China’s unilateral moves to alter the status quo, thereby ramping up international pressure on Beijing.
中国の一方的な現状変更の実態を幅広く訴え、国際社会の対中圧力を高めることにつなげたい。
Antagonism toward U.S.
One matter of concern is China’s blatant antagonistic stance toward the United States.
問題なのは、中国が米国に対峙たいじしようとする姿勢を露骨に表したことである。
Adm. Sun Jianguo, Deputy Chief of the general staff department of Chinese Military, rejected the U.S. demand for halting reclamation work, insisting obstinately that it “falls well within the scope of China’s sovereignty and are legitimate, justified and reasonable,”“[the reclamation work] do not ... affect the freedom of navigation.”
中国軍の孫建国副総参謀長は会議での講演で、埋め立ては「完全に主権の範囲内であり、合法で道理にかなったものだ。航行の自由には影響しない」と強弁し、米国の中止要求を拒否した。
Concerning the construction of the artificial island, Sun declared that it was for military purposes. Asked about the possibility of China setting an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea, Sun did not deny this, saying his country “will decide on the matter after making an overall assessment on how the aerial safety of the region is threatened.”
人工島の造成についても、孫氏は軍事目的であると公言した。南シナ海での防空識別圏設定の可能性を問われて、「上空での安全がどの程度脅かされているかなどを総合的に判断する」と述べ、否定はしなかった。
His statement can be taken to indicate China’s secret intention to enclose the South China Sea as “a Chinese sea” without being based on any international law, thereby eliminating U.S. influence in the region.
国際法の根拠がないまま、南シナ海を「中国の海」として囲い込み、米国の影響力を排除しようという底意がうかがえる。
Chinese President Xi Jinping aims to lead the move to build a security order in Asia through a new concept of “Asian peoples maintaining Asia’s security.” But isn’t it China that has been destabilizing the region with its self-righteous moves?
習近平国家主席は「アジアの安全はアジアの人々が守る」とする新たな構想「アジア安全観」を掲げ、安保秩序の構築を主導しようとしている。しかし、独善的な行動で地域を不安定化させているのは、中国自身ではないか。
Nakatani said during his speech, “It is extremely important to improve the reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.” This was an indication Japan would augment assistance to the military and maritime security organizations of such countries as the Philippines and Vietnam, which face Chinese threats.
中谷防衛相は「東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）の警戒監視能力を向上させることは極めて重要だ」と講演した。中国の脅威に直面するフィリピンやベトナムなどの軍や海上保安機関への支援を拡充する考えを示したものだ。
Enhancing the defense capabilities of these Asian nations is indispensable to ensure the security of the South China Sea. In cooperation with the United States, the Philippines and other countries, Japan needs to press China to exercise self-restraint.
各国の能力向上は南シナ海の安定に欠かせない。日本は米国やフィリピンなどと連携し、中国に自制を促していく必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 2, 2015)
Unity key to dealing with China’s construction of artificial island
南シナ海情勢 人工島を合法と強弁する中国
China’s provocative stance toward Asian security has been brought into sharp focus at a recent international conference. The countries concerned must bolster unity to regain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
アジアの安全保障秩序に挑戦する中国の姿が浮き彫りになった。南シナ海の平和と安定を取り戻すために、関係国は結束しなければならない。
Defense ministers and military experts from Asia and elsewhere exchanged views on security issues during a recent Asia Security Summit meeting in Singapore. It was a natural development that the focus of the conference was China’s accelerated reclamation efforts around rock reefs in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
アジア諸国などの国防相や軍事専門家らが議論を交わすアジア安全保障会議がシンガポールで開かれた。中国が南シナ海のスプラトリー（南沙）諸島で急ぐ岩礁の埋め立てが焦点になったのは、当然の流れである。
In a speech at the meeting, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter criticized China over its reclamation project, saying it “has become a source of tension in the region” and “the United States is deeply concerned about the pace and scope of land reclamation.” Carter thus demanded that China halt its reclamation immediately.
カーター米国防長官は講演で、埋め立てについて、「地域の緊張の原因だ。その速度や規模を深く懸念する」と中国を非難しつつ、即時中止するよう強く迫った。
His demand is based on the belief that sea-lanes might be threatened due to the rapid transformation of a reclaimed artificial island into a military base.
埋め立てた人工島の軍事基地化が加速し、海上輸送路（シーレーン）が脅かされかねない、との判断からだろう。
On the sidelines of the security conference, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, Australian Defense Minister Kevin Andrews and Carter held trilateral talks and issued a joint statement, expressing their “serious concern” over the Chinese land reclamation work. This was extremely significant.
会議に合わせて、中谷防衛相と、カーター国防長官、アンドリューズ豪国防相が会談し、埋め立てに対する「深刻な懸念」を共同声明で示した意義は大きい。
It is necessary to disseminate widely China’s unilateral moves to alter the status quo, thereby ramping up international pressure on Beijing.
中国の一方的な現状変更の実態を幅広く訴え、国際社会の対中圧力を高めることにつなげたい。
Antagonism toward U.S.
One matter of concern is China’s blatant antagonistic stance toward the United States.
問題なのは、中国が米国に対峙たいじしようとする姿勢を露骨に表したことである。
Adm. Sun Jianguo, Deputy Chief of the general staff department of Chinese Military, rejected the U.S. demand for halting reclamation work, insisting obstinately that it “falls well within the scope of China’s sovereignty and are legitimate, justified and reasonable,”“[the reclamation work] do not ... affect the freedom of navigation.”
中国軍の孫建国副総参謀長は会議での講演で、埋め立ては「完全に主権の範囲内であり、合法で道理にかなったものだ。航行の自由には影響しない」と強弁し、米国の中止要求を拒否した。
Concerning the construction of the artificial island, Sun declared that it was for military purposes. Asked about the possibility of China setting an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea, Sun did not deny this, saying his country “will decide on the matter after making an overall assessment on how the aerial safety of the region is threatened.”
人工島の造成についても、孫氏は軍事目的であると公言した。南シナ海での防空識別圏設定の可能性を問われて、「上空での安全がどの程度脅かされているかなどを総合的に判断する」と述べ、否定はしなかった。
His statement can be taken to indicate China’s secret intention to enclose the South China Sea as “a Chinese sea” without being based on any international law, thereby eliminating U.S. influence in the region.
国際法の根拠がないまま、南シナ海を「中国の海」として囲い込み、米国の影響力を排除しようという底意がうかがえる。
Chinese President Xi Jinping aims to lead the move to build a security order in Asia through a new concept of “Asian peoples maintaining Asia’s security.” But isn’t it China that has been destabilizing the region with its self-righteous moves?
習近平国家主席は「アジアの安全はアジアの人々が守る」とする新たな構想「アジア安全観」を掲げ、安保秩序の構築を主導しようとしている。しかし、独善的な行動で地域を不安定化させているのは、中国自身ではないか。
Nakatani said during his speech, “It is extremely important to improve the reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.” This was an indication Japan would augment assistance to the military and maritime security organizations of such countries as the Philippines and Vietnam, which face Chinese threats.
中谷防衛相は「東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）の警戒監視能力を向上させることは極めて重要だ」と講演した。中国の脅威に直面するフィリピンやベトナムなどの軍や海上保安機関への支援を拡充する考えを示したものだ。
Enhancing the defense capabilities of these Asian nations is indispensable to ensure the security of the South China Sea. In cooperation with the United States, the Philippines and other countries, Japan needs to press China to exercise self-restraint.
各国の能力向上は南シナ海の安定に欠かせない。日本は米国やフィリピンなどと連携し、中国に自制を促していく必要がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 2, 2015)
--The Asahi Shimbun, May 16
EDITORIAL: 43 years on, Okinawa still forced to serve mainland's interest
（社説）復帰の日 沖縄を孤立させぬ覚悟
May 15 marked the anniversary of Okinawa’s return to Japan 43 years ago. Never has the anniversary arrived amid such acute tension between Okinawa Prefecture and the central government.
沖縄が日本に復帰して、きのうで４３年。今年ほど沖縄と政府の関係が緊張するなかで迎えた「復帰の日」はないだろう。
Flying in the face of strong opposition from many people in Okinawa, the Abe administration is forging ahead with preparations for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from the crowded city of Ginowan to the Henoko area of Nago, another city in the island prefecture.
米軍普天間飛行場（宜野湾市）の名護市辺野古への移設準備を、多くの県民の反対を顧みず、政府が推し進めている。
The government and Japan’s mainlanders should heed the voices of Okinawa, which has been pivotal to the support of national security since the end of World War II in 1945 by bearing the heavy burden of hosting the vast bulk of U.S. military bases in this country. The Japanese people should not allow Okinawa to become isolated.
戦後７０年間、基地負担にあえぎながらも日本の安全保障を支えてきた沖縄の訴えに耳を傾けるべきで、国民は沖縄を孤立させてはならない。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, met separately with Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga in April and May for the first time since Onaga came to office in December. The three top government officials refused to hold talks with Onaga until then.
昨年１２月に翁長雄志氏が知事に就任して以来、会うことを拒んできた菅義偉官房長官、安倍晋三首相、中谷元防衛相の政府首脳３人との会談が、ようやく４月、５月に実現した。
Onaga’s remarks about Okinawa’s postwar history made in those meetings underscored Okinawa’s determination to reject the Futenma relocation plan.
その機会に翁長氏が発した言葉が、沖縄の強い意思を明確に示した。
Onaga talked about how the U.S. military, when it governed Okinawa before its reversion to Japan, seized local people’s land forcibly to build bases by using “bayonets and bulldozers.”
復帰前の米軍統治下、基地建設のために「銃剣とブルドーザー」で土地を強制収用されたこと。
The Okinawa governor also spoke about Paul Caraway, the high commissioner of the U.S. Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands during the early 1960s, who once declared that Okinawan self-government is nothing but a legend.
自治権拡大を「神話」と言い放ったキャラウェイ高等弁務官のこと。
Onaga also referred to the 1956 U.S. attempt for an effective blanket purchase of the local land leased for bases, made in line with what is known as the “Price Recommendations” by Rep. Melvin Price, who chaired a special subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee.
軍用地の一括買い上げを狙ったプライス勧告のこと。
Onaga’s words awakened bitter memories about these historical facts that still linger in the minds of the people in Okinawa and highlighted parallels between these incidents and the Abe administration’s approach to the Futenma issue.
翁長氏は県民にわだかまる記憶を次々とすくい上げ、現政権と二重写しにしてみせた。
Onaga’s remarks expressed anger about how the central government has continued to ignore Okinawa’s determined opposition to the base relocation plan, which was made clear in three elections last year--the Nago mayoral election, the gubernatorial poll and the Lower House election. They also indicated that Okinawa’s actions against the administration’s efforts to carry out the plan are similar in nature to Okinawa’s fight for the right of self-government under U.S. military rule.
翁長氏の発言は、昨年の名護市長選、県知事選、総選挙と繰り返し示された辺野古移設反対の民意が無視され続けていることへの怒り、そして今の沖縄の政府に向けた行動が米軍政下の自治権獲得闘争と同質であるとの見解の表明である。
In his meeting with Nakatani, Onaga recounted an episode about his discussions on the issue with an Upper House member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party two years ago when he was the mayor of Naha. Onaga severely criticized the mainland’s mind-set by telling Nakatani that the LDP politician said Okinawa should accept the new base because the mainland refused to accept it. The LDP lawmaker also said to Onaga, “Let us stop futile discussions.”
中谷防衛相との会談では、翁長氏が那覇市長時代の２年前、自民党の参院議員から「本土が（基地受け入れを）嫌だと言っているのだから、沖縄が受けるのは当たり前だ。不毛な議論はやめよう」という言葉を投げかけられた経験を明かし、本土側の意識を痛烈に批判した。
It is notable that the series of meetings between Onaga and the top administration officials have aroused sympathy for Okinawa among the Japanese public.
一連の会談をきっかけに、国内世論が次第に沖縄に共感を示し始めたことは注目される。
In a clutch of opinion polls recently conducted by The Asahi Shimbun and other media, more respondents than before expressed critical views about the administration’s stance toward the issue.
朝日新聞など多くの報道機関の世論調査でも、政府の姿勢を評価しないとする声が増えた。
The mainland public’s interest in the problem appears to be growing, as indicated by internationally acclaimed animation director Hayao Miyazaki’s decision to co-head a fund set up by prefectural assembly members and local businesses to protest the plan to move the air base to Henoko.
移設阻止を訴えるために県議や地元経済界が設立した「辺野古基金」の共同代表に映画監督の宮崎駿氏らが就くなど、問題への関心が高まっている。
Onaga plans to make his case to a broad international audience, including the U.S. government.
翁長知事は今後、米政府をはじめ国際世論にも広く働きかける戦略を描く。
Okinawa’s wish to be treated equally as the mainland has been consistently denied, even after its return to Japan.
復帰後も、「本土並み」という願いは踏みにじられてきた。
Chobyo Yara, the last chief executive of the government of the Ryukyu Islands under U.S. administration and the first governor of the prefecture after the return of Okinawa, once said. “Okinawa must not be victimized again as a means of the state.”
「沖縄が再び国の手段として犠牲になってはならない」。琉球政府主席で復帰直後の沖縄県知事、屋良朝苗（やらちょうびょう）氏はこう訴えたという。
One serious question Japanese mainlanders should ask themselves now is whether they are again trying to victimize Okinawa for the mainland’s interests.
今またわれわれは沖縄を犠牲にしようとしていないか。本土の国民は改めてこの問いを受け止める必要がある。
EDITORIAL: 43 years on, Okinawa still forced to serve mainland's interest
（社説）復帰の日 沖縄を孤立させぬ覚悟
May 15 marked the anniversary of Okinawa’s return to Japan 43 years ago. Never has the anniversary arrived amid such acute tension between Okinawa Prefecture and the central government.
沖縄が日本に復帰して、きのうで４３年。今年ほど沖縄と政府の関係が緊張するなかで迎えた「復帰の日」はないだろう。
Flying in the face of strong opposition from many people in Okinawa, the Abe administration is forging ahead with preparations for the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from the crowded city of Ginowan to the Henoko area of Nago, another city in the island prefecture.
米軍普天間飛行場（宜野湾市）の名護市辺野古への移設準備を、多くの県民の反対を顧みず、政府が推し進めている。
The government and Japan’s mainlanders should heed the voices of Okinawa, which has been pivotal to the support of national security since the end of World War II in 1945 by bearing the heavy burden of hosting the vast bulk of U.S. military bases in this country. The Japanese people should not allow Okinawa to become isolated.
戦後７０年間、基地負担にあえぎながらも日本の安全保障を支えてきた沖縄の訴えに耳を傾けるべきで、国民は沖縄を孤立させてはならない。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, met separately with Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga in April and May for the first time since Onaga came to office in December. The three top government officials refused to hold talks with Onaga until then.
昨年１２月に翁長雄志氏が知事に就任して以来、会うことを拒んできた菅義偉官房長官、安倍晋三首相、中谷元防衛相の政府首脳３人との会談が、ようやく４月、５月に実現した。
Onaga’s remarks about Okinawa’s postwar history made in those meetings underscored Okinawa’s determination to reject the Futenma relocation plan.
その機会に翁長氏が発した言葉が、沖縄の強い意思を明確に示した。
Onaga talked about how the U.S. military, when it governed Okinawa before its reversion to Japan, seized local people’s land forcibly to build bases by using “bayonets and bulldozers.”
復帰前の米軍統治下、基地建設のために「銃剣とブルドーザー」で土地を強制収用されたこと。
The Okinawa governor also spoke about Paul Caraway, the high commissioner of the U.S. Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands during the early 1960s, who once declared that Okinawan self-government is nothing but a legend.
自治権拡大を「神話」と言い放ったキャラウェイ高等弁務官のこと。
Onaga also referred to the 1956 U.S. attempt for an effective blanket purchase of the local land leased for bases, made in line with what is known as the “Price Recommendations” by Rep. Melvin Price, who chaired a special subcommittee of the Armed Services Committee.
軍用地の一括買い上げを狙ったプライス勧告のこと。
Onaga’s words awakened bitter memories about these historical facts that still linger in the minds of the people in Okinawa and highlighted parallels between these incidents and the Abe administration’s approach to the Futenma issue.
翁長氏は県民にわだかまる記憶を次々とすくい上げ、現政権と二重写しにしてみせた。
Onaga’s remarks expressed anger about how the central government has continued to ignore Okinawa’s determined opposition to the base relocation plan, which was made clear in three elections last year--the Nago mayoral election, the gubernatorial poll and the Lower House election. They also indicated that Okinawa’s actions against the administration’s efforts to carry out the plan are similar in nature to Okinawa’s fight for the right of self-government under U.S. military rule.
翁長氏の発言は、昨年の名護市長選、県知事選、総選挙と繰り返し示された辺野古移設反対の民意が無視され続けていることへの怒り、そして今の沖縄の政府に向けた行動が米軍政下の自治権獲得闘争と同質であるとの見解の表明である。
In his meeting with Nakatani, Onaga recounted an episode about his discussions on the issue with an Upper House member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party two years ago when he was the mayor of Naha. Onaga severely criticized the mainland’s mind-set by telling Nakatani that the LDP politician said Okinawa should accept the new base because the mainland refused to accept it. The LDP lawmaker also said to Onaga, “Let us stop futile discussions.”
中谷防衛相との会談では、翁長氏が那覇市長時代の２年前、自民党の参院議員から「本土が（基地受け入れを）嫌だと言っているのだから、沖縄が受けるのは当たり前だ。不毛な議論はやめよう」という言葉を投げかけられた経験を明かし、本土側の意識を痛烈に批判した。
It is notable that the series of meetings between Onaga and the top administration officials have aroused sympathy for Okinawa among the Japanese public.
一連の会談をきっかけに、国内世論が次第に沖縄に共感を示し始めたことは注目される。
In a clutch of opinion polls recently conducted by The Asahi Shimbun and other media, more respondents than before expressed critical views about the administration’s stance toward the issue.
朝日新聞など多くの報道機関の世論調査でも、政府の姿勢を評価しないとする声が増えた。
The mainland public’s interest in the problem appears to be growing, as indicated by internationally acclaimed animation director Hayao Miyazaki’s decision to co-head a fund set up by prefectural assembly members and local businesses to protest the plan to move the air base to Henoko.
移設阻止を訴えるために県議や地元経済界が設立した「辺野古基金」の共同代表に映画監督の宮崎駿氏らが就くなど、問題への関心が高まっている。
Onaga plans to make his case to a broad international audience, including the U.S. government.
翁長知事は今後、米政府をはじめ国際世論にも広く働きかける戦略を描く。
Okinawa’s wish to be treated equally as the mainland has been consistently denied, even after its return to Japan.
復帰後も、「本土並み」という願いは踏みにじられてきた。
Chobyo Yara, the last chief executive of the government of the Ryukyu Islands under U.S. administration and the first governor of the prefecture after the return of Okinawa, once said. “Okinawa must not be victimized again as a means of the state.”
「沖縄が再び国の手段として犠牲になってはならない」。琉球政府主席で復帰直後の沖縄県知事、屋良朝苗（やらちょうびょう）氏はこう訴えたという。
One serious question Japanese mainlanders should ask themselves now is whether they are again trying to victimize Okinawa for the mainland’s interests.
今またわれわれは沖縄を犠牲にしようとしていないか。本土の国民は改めてこの問いを受け止める必要がある。
The Yomiuri Shimbun
China’s attack on Japan’s request at U.N. disarmament confab unacceptable
被爆地訪問要請 中国の横やりは容認できない
Japan simply wants leaders from across the world to visit the sites of atomic bombings to hear and learn about what happened and renew their resolve to abolish nuclear arms. For China as a nuclear power to go out of its way to destroy such a sincere Japanese request cannot be condoned.
世界の指導者が被爆地の実相を見聞きし、核廃絶への決意を新たにしてほしい。そんな日本の真剣な要請に、核保有国の中国が横やりを入れることは認められない。
The Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons being held at the U.N. headquarters is working to compile documents of agreement on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation.
国連本部で開催中の核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）再検討会議は、核軍縮・不拡散などに関する合意文書の作成作業を進めている。
On the 70th anniversary of the war’s end this year, the mission for Japan as the only country to have experienced atomic bombings is to highlight the inhumanity of nuclear arms and encourage nuclear powers to reduce their nuclear arsenals.
戦後７０年の節目を迎え、唯一の被爆国として、核兵器の非人道性を訴え、核保有国に核戦力削減を働きかけるのは日本の使命だ。
An original draft of an outcome document for the U.N. review conference included wording, based on a Japanese request, calling on leaders and young people of the world to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But this was deleted from the draft at the request of China.
素案には当初、日本の提案に基づき、各国の指導者や若者に広島、長崎への訪問を呼びかける記述が盛り込まれていた。しかし、中国の要求で削除された。
To give a reason for its request for deletion, China’s ambassador for disarmament affairs Fu Cong said: “Japan is trying to depict itself not as an offender but as a victim.”
中国の傅聡軍縮大使は、削除要求の理由について「日本は自らを加害者ではなく、被害者として描こうとしている」と語った。
This is an overly selfish assertion that distorts Japan’s intention. China’s argument does not comply with the tenets of the U.N. conference aimed at promoting disarmament. It was very natural that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga criticized China’s position, saying, “The matter is separate from issues related historical perceptions, so it’s hard to understand China’s assertion.”
日本の意図をねじ曲げる、あまりに身勝手な主張だ。軍縮を推進する会議の趣旨とも合わない。菅官房長官が「そもそも歴史問題とは関係なく、理解に苦しむ」と批判したのは、もっともだ。
Unanimity is the principle for compilation of a document of agreement. But China’s argument for requesting the deletion is unreasonable.
合意文書は全会一致が原則だが、中国の要求は筋が違う。
The government is trying to realize the reinstatement of its requested wording in the final document by making such efforts as sending Deputy Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama to the ongoing U.N. conference.
政府は、杉山晋輔外務審議官を現地に派遣するなど、文言の復活に向け巻き返しを図っている。
Leverage for N-arms cut
If political leaders from various countries of the world have opportunities to listen to the experience of hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) and feel the devastation of atomic bombings, it will serve as a driving force for nuclear disarmament. It is imperative for Japan to explain in detail to the countries concerned the significance of visiting the sites of atomic bombing.
各国の政治指導者が被爆者の体験に耳を傾け、原爆の惨禍を肌で感じることは、核軍縮の推進力になる。その意義を関係国に丁寧に説明することが欠かせない。
Although Fu said he had “sympathy for the hibakusha,” it cannot be overlooked that he also said, “Japan started the war, and nuclear bombs were used to end the war.”
看過できないのは、傅大使が「被爆者に同情する」としつつ、「日本が戦争を始め、戦争を終わらせるために核が使われた」と一方的な主張を述べたことだ。
This statement tramples on the feelings of hibakusha. The inhumane action of dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which ended the precious lives of more than 200,000 people, can never be pardoned.
被爆者の感情を踏みにじる発言である。２０万人以上の尊い命を奪った広島、長崎への原爆投下という非人道的な行為は、決して容認できるものではない。
China possesses an estimated 250 nuclear warheads, but has never disclosed the actual number. China is suspected to have been building up its nuclear arsenal, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles, in a move running counter to the global trend toward nuclear disarmament.
中国は、推定約２５０発の核弾頭を保有しているが、実数を公表していない。国際的な核軍縮の流れに逆行し、潜水艦発射弾道ミサイル（ＳＬＢＭ）などの核戦力を増強しているとされる。
Instead of criticizing Japan, Beijing should work toward reducing its nuclear weapons and enhance the transparency of its military buildup.
取り組むべきは、日本批判ではなく、自国の核を削減し、透明性を高めることではないか。
This year has seen China conducting an anti-Japan propaganda campaign linked to historical perceptions. The campaign is believed to be aimed at emphasizing its position as a victim and a victorious country of World War II.
中国は今年、歴史認識に絡めた反日宣伝を展開している。第２次大戦の被害国、戦勝国としての立場をアピールする狙いだろう。
Japan’s postwar positive contribution to world peace and stability is highly lauded by other countries.
だが、戦後日本は、世界の平和と安定に積極的に貢献し、各国から高く評価されている。
The government must refute precisely China’s unreasonable criticism of Japan.
政府は、中国の不当な対日批判には的確に反論すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 16, 2015)
China’s attack on Japan’s request at U.N. disarmament confab unacceptable
被爆地訪問要請 中国の横やりは容認できない
Japan simply wants leaders from across the world to visit the sites of atomic bombings to hear and learn about what happened and renew their resolve to abolish nuclear arms. For China as a nuclear power to go out of its way to destroy such a sincere Japanese request cannot be condoned.
世界の指導者が被爆地の実相を見聞きし、核廃絶への決意を新たにしてほしい。そんな日本の真剣な要請に、核保有国の中国が横やりを入れることは認められない。
The Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons being held at the U.N. headquarters is working to compile documents of agreement on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation.
国連本部で開催中の核拡散防止条約（ＮＰＴ）再検討会議は、核軍縮・不拡散などに関する合意文書の作成作業を進めている。
On the 70th anniversary of the war’s end this year, the mission for Japan as the only country to have experienced atomic bombings is to highlight the inhumanity of nuclear arms and encourage nuclear powers to reduce their nuclear arsenals.
戦後７０年の節目を迎え、唯一の被爆国として、核兵器の非人道性を訴え、核保有国に核戦力削減を働きかけるのは日本の使命だ。
An original draft of an outcome document for the U.N. review conference included wording, based on a Japanese request, calling on leaders and young people of the world to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But this was deleted from the draft at the request of China.
素案には当初、日本の提案に基づき、各国の指導者や若者に広島、長崎への訪問を呼びかける記述が盛り込まれていた。しかし、中国の要求で削除された。
To give a reason for its request for deletion, China’s ambassador for disarmament affairs Fu Cong said: “Japan is trying to depict itself not as an offender but as a victim.”
中国の傅聡軍縮大使は、削除要求の理由について「日本は自らを加害者ではなく、被害者として描こうとしている」と語った。
This is an overly selfish assertion that distorts Japan’s intention. China’s argument does not comply with the tenets of the U.N. conference aimed at promoting disarmament. It was very natural that Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga criticized China’s position, saying, “The matter is separate from issues related historical perceptions, so it’s hard to understand China’s assertion.”
日本の意図をねじ曲げる、あまりに身勝手な主張だ。軍縮を推進する会議の趣旨とも合わない。菅官房長官が「そもそも歴史問題とは関係なく、理解に苦しむ」と批判したのは、もっともだ。
Unanimity is the principle for compilation of a document of agreement. But China’s argument for requesting the deletion is unreasonable.
合意文書は全会一致が原則だが、中国の要求は筋が違う。
The government is trying to realize the reinstatement of its requested wording in the final document by making such efforts as sending Deputy Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama to the ongoing U.N. conference.
政府は、杉山晋輔外務審議官を現地に派遣するなど、文言の復活に向け巻き返しを図っている。
Leverage for N-arms cut
If political leaders from various countries of the world have opportunities to listen to the experience of hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) and feel the devastation of atomic bombings, it will serve as a driving force for nuclear disarmament. It is imperative for Japan to explain in detail to the countries concerned the significance of visiting the sites of atomic bombing.
各国の政治指導者が被爆者の体験に耳を傾け、原爆の惨禍を肌で感じることは、核軍縮の推進力になる。その意義を関係国に丁寧に説明することが欠かせない。
Although Fu said he had “sympathy for the hibakusha,” it cannot be overlooked that he also said, “Japan started the war, and nuclear bombs were used to end the war.”
看過できないのは、傅大使が「被爆者に同情する」としつつ、「日本が戦争を始め、戦争を終わらせるために核が使われた」と一方的な主張を述べたことだ。
This statement tramples on the feelings of hibakusha. The inhumane action of dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which ended the precious lives of more than 200,000 people, can never be pardoned.
被爆者の感情を踏みにじる発言である。２０万人以上の尊い命を奪った広島、長崎への原爆投下という非人道的な行為は、決して容認できるものではない。
China possesses an estimated 250 nuclear warheads, but has never disclosed the actual number. China is suspected to have been building up its nuclear arsenal, including submarine-launched ballistic missiles, in a move running counter to the global trend toward nuclear disarmament.
中国は、推定約２５０発の核弾頭を保有しているが、実数を公表していない。国際的な核軍縮の流れに逆行し、潜水艦発射弾道ミサイル（ＳＬＢＭ）などの核戦力を増強しているとされる。
Instead of criticizing Japan, Beijing should work toward reducing its nuclear weapons and enhance the transparency of its military buildup.
取り組むべきは、日本批判ではなく、自国の核を削減し、透明性を高めることではないか。
This year has seen China conducting an anti-Japan propaganda campaign linked to historical perceptions. The campaign is believed to be aimed at emphasizing its position as a victim and a victorious country of World War II.
中国は今年、歴史認識に絡めた反日宣伝を展開している。第２次大戦の被害国、戦勝国としての立場をアピールする狙いだろう。
Japan’s postwar positive contribution to world peace and stability is highly lauded by other countries.
だが、戦後日本は、世界の平和と安定に積極的に貢献し、各国から高く評価されている。
The government must refute precisely China’s unreasonable criticism of Japan.
政府は、中国の不当な対日批判には的確に反論すべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 16, 2015)
The Yomiuri Shimbun
China jeopardizes regional stability by building ‘Great Wall of sand’
中国の軍事開発 地域の安定脅かす「砂の長城」
China is accelerating its land reclamation in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, a move that is jeopardizing the stability of the region.
中国が南シナ海・スプラトリー（南沙）諸島で、岩礁埋め立てを加速させている。地域の安定を脅かす行為だ。
The U.S. Defense Department’s recently released annual report on China’s military strength mentioned for the first time that country’s reclamation of land in the South China Sea, which has been described as the building of “a Great Wall of sand.” The report expressed concern that the reclaimed land around rocks and reefs in the waters would create “persistent civil-military bases of operation.”
中国の軍事力に関する米国防総省の年次報告書が、「砂の長城」建設と呼ばれる埋め立て作業に初めて言及した。岩礁が「永続的な軍民活動拠点になる」とも指摘している。
As of late last year, China had already begun constructing harbors, communication facilities and an airfield at four of the five reclaimed outposts in the Spratly Islands.
昨年末の時点で、５か所の埋め立て地のうち４か所で港や通信施設、飛行場などの建設に入っていた。
A Pentagon official said the total acreage of the reclaimed area had grown to about eight square kilometers, quadrupling in size over about four months.
米当局者は、その後の４か月で埋め立て地の面積が４倍の約８平方キロに拡大した、と述べた。
China is reclaiming land at an extraordinarily fast pace. It is clearly trying to create a fait accompli by unilaterally expanding its control over territories disputed with such neighboring countries as the Philippines.
異様に速いペースだ。フィリピンなどとの係争地で自国の支配を一方的に拡張し、既成事実化を図る中国の狙いは明白である。
It is quite reasonable that the report criticizes China’s “willingness to tolerate a higher level of regional tension” to advance its interests.
報告書が中国を「地域の緊張を高めるのをいとわない」と批判するのは、もっともだ。
China defends its move to reclaim land in the disputed waters as intended to safeguard its territorial sovereignty, but this claim is excessively self-serving. It is commonly recognized among countries concerned that China’s territorial claims — which assert that its sovereignty covers almost all the area in the South China Sea — have no basis under international law.
中国は、埋め立てを「領土や主権を守る行動」と正当化するが、独善的にすぎる。南シナ海のほぼ全体に自国の主権が及ぶとする中国の主張に国際法上の根拠がないのは、関係国の共通認識だ。
The prevailing view is that China’s reclamation in the area is part of its preparations for establishing an air-defense identification zone over the South China Sea and securing air supremacy.
埋め立ては、南シナ海での防空識別圏の設定や制空権確保の準備作業との見方が強い。
Cyberwar capabilities
The report also said it is likely that China’s nuclear submarine, carrying ballistic missiles, will begin its first patrols for nuclear deterrent purposes this year.
核搭載の原子力潜水艦が年内に初の哨戒活動を行う可能性もあるとされる。
It is noteworthy that the report expressed strong alarm over the rapid modernization of China’s military forces, saying “it could potentially reduce the U.S. forces’ core technological advantage.”
注目すべきは、報告書が中国軍の近代化に対し、「米軍の技術的優位を減じる潜在力がある」として強い危機感を示したことだ。
In the field of space, in particular, the report said China possesses “the most rapidly maturing space program in the world” and that the country continues to develop capabilities designed to limit or prevent the use of space-based assets by its adversaries.
特に、宇宙分野について、中国が「世界で最も急速に発達した宇宙計画」を持ち、敵の宇宙利用を制限・妨害する能力の開発を続けている、と明記した。
Regarding cyberspace, the report expresses a sense of danger over China’s strengthening of its capabilities to destroy computer networks, as part of its “anti-access and area denial (A2/AD)” strategy to prevent the intervention of U.S. forces in the event of a contingency.
サイバー分野でも、米軍の有事介入を阻む中国の「接近阻止・領域拒否（Ａ２ＡＤ）」戦略の一環として、ネットワーク破壊能力の増強への警戒感を示している。
Close attention must be paid to any progress in China’s military technologies in these newly emerging domains.
こうした新たな分野における中国の軍事技術の進展について、十分に注視していく必要がある。
Worrisome for Japan is the buildup of equipment for the People’s Liberation Army Navy and Air Force.
日本にとって懸念されるのは、中国海空軍の装備増強だ。
The report said it was likely that in the next 15 years, China will build multiple domestically produced aircraft carriers and procure Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35s, one of the most advanced fighters in the world. It also said China will likely make progress in the development of stealth strike aircraft in that period.
報告書は、今後１５年で複数の国産空母が建造されるとともに、ロシア製の最新鋭戦闘機スホイ３５の調達やステルス戦闘機の開発が進む可能性を指摘している。
Japan and the United States must boost the joint response capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces, based on recently agreed-upon guidelines on bilateral defense cooperation, and enhance their deterrent against China.
日米両国は、先に合意した新しい日米防衛協力の指針（ガイドライン）に基づき、自衛隊と米軍の共同対処能力を強化し、中国に対する抑止力を高めるべきだ。
It is also important to cooperate with countries concerned to heighten vigilance and surveillance activities in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and urge China to refrain from taking any provocative military action.
関係国とも協調し、東・南シナ海での警戒・監視活動を強めるとともに、中国に軍事的な挑発を自制するよう促すことが大切だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 14, 2015)
China jeopardizes regional stability by building ‘Great Wall of sand’
中国の軍事開発 地域の安定脅かす「砂の長城」
China is accelerating its land reclamation in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, a move that is jeopardizing the stability of the region.
中国が南シナ海・スプラトリー（南沙）諸島で、岩礁埋め立てを加速させている。地域の安定を脅かす行為だ。
The U.S. Defense Department’s recently released annual report on China’s military strength mentioned for the first time that country’s reclamation of land in the South China Sea, which has been described as the building of “a Great Wall of sand.” The report expressed concern that the reclaimed land around rocks and reefs in the waters would create “persistent civil-military bases of operation.”
中国の軍事力に関する米国防総省の年次報告書が、「砂の長城」建設と呼ばれる埋め立て作業に初めて言及した。岩礁が「永続的な軍民活動拠点になる」とも指摘している。
As of late last year, China had already begun constructing harbors, communication facilities and an airfield at four of the five reclaimed outposts in the Spratly Islands.
昨年末の時点で、５か所の埋め立て地のうち４か所で港や通信施設、飛行場などの建設に入っていた。
A Pentagon official said the total acreage of the reclaimed area had grown to about eight square kilometers, quadrupling in size over about four months.
米当局者は、その後の４か月で埋め立て地の面積が４倍の約８平方キロに拡大した、と述べた。
China is reclaiming land at an extraordinarily fast pace. It is clearly trying to create a fait accompli by unilaterally expanding its control over territories disputed with such neighboring countries as the Philippines.
異様に速いペースだ。フィリピンなどとの係争地で自国の支配を一方的に拡張し、既成事実化を図る中国の狙いは明白である。
It is quite reasonable that the report criticizes China’s “willingness to tolerate a higher level of regional tension” to advance its interests.
報告書が中国を「地域の緊張を高めるのをいとわない」と批判するのは、もっともだ。
China defends its move to reclaim land in the disputed waters as intended to safeguard its territorial sovereignty, but this claim is excessively self-serving. It is commonly recognized among countries concerned that China’s territorial claims — which assert that its sovereignty covers almost all the area in the South China Sea — have no basis under international law.
中国は、埋め立てを「領土や主権を守る行動」と正当化するが、独善的にすぎる。南シナ海のほぼ全体に自国の主権が及ぶとする中国の主張に国際法上の根拠がないのは、関係国の共通認識だ。
The prevailing view is that China’s reclamation in the area is part of its preparations for establishing an air-defense identification zone over the South China Sea and securing air supremacy.
埋め立ては、南シナ海での防空識別圏の設定や制空権確保の準備作業との見方が強い。
Cyberwar capabilities
The report also said it is likely that China’s nuclear submarine, carrying ballistic missiles, will begin its first patrols for nuclear deterrent purposes this year.
核搭載の原子力潜水艦が年内に初の哨戒活動を行う可能性もあるとされる。
It is noteworthy that the report expressed strong alarm over the rapid modernization of China’s military forces, saying “it could potentially reduce the U.S. forces’ core technological advantage.”
注目すべきは、報告書が中国軍の近代化に対し、「米軍の技術的優位を減じる潜在力がある」として強い危機感を示したことだ。
In the field of space, in particular, the report said China possesses “the most rapidly maturing space program in the world” and that the country continues to develop capabilities designed to limit or prevent the use of space-based assets by its adversaries.
特に、宇宙分野について、中国が「世界で最も急速に発達した宇宙計画」を持ち、敵の宇宙利用を制限・妨害する能力の開発を続けている、と明記した。
Regarding cyberspace, the report expresses a sense of danger over China’s strengthening of its capabilities to destroy computer networks, as part of its “anti-access and area denial (A2/AD)” strategy to prevent the intervention of U.S. forces in the event of a contingency.
サイバー分野でも、米軍の有事介入を阻む中国の「接近阻止・領域拒否（Ａ２ＡＤ）」戦略の一環として、ネットワーク破壊能力の増強への警戒感を示している。
Close attention must be paid to any progress in China’s military technologies in these newly emerging domains.
こうした新たな分野における中国の軍事技術の進展について、十分に注視していく必要がある。
Worrisome for Japan is the buildup of equipment for the People’s Liberation Army Navy and Air Force.
日本にとって懸念されるのは、中国海空軍の装備増強だ。
The report said it was likely that in the next 15 years, China will build multiple domestically produced aircraft carriers and procure Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35s, one of the most advanced fighters in the world. It also said China will likely make progress in the development of stealth strike aircraft in that period.
報告書は、今後１５年で複数の国産空母が建造されるとともに、ロシア製の最新鋭戦闘機スホイ３５の調達やステルス戦闘機の開発が進む可能性を指摘している。
Japan and the United States must boost the joint response capabilities of the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces, based on recently agreed-upon guidelines on bilateral defense cooperation, and enhance their deterrent against China.
日米両国は、先に合意した新しい日米防衛協力の指針（ガイドライン）に基づき、自衛隊と米軍の共同対処能力を強化し、中国に対する抑止力を高めるべきだ。
It is also important to cooperate with countries concerned to heighten vigilance and surveillance activities in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and urge China to refrain from taking any provocative military action.
関係国とも協調し、東・南シナ海での警戒・監視活動を強めるとともに、中国に軍事的な挑発を自制するよう促すことが大切だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 14, 2015)
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 29
EDITORIAL: Atmosphere of society lets Abe honk his adventurism horn
（社説）安倍政権の激走 「いま」と「わたし」の大冒険
The essential features of an automobile are to run, to turn and to stop. A balance between the three factors is just as essential in politics.
走る、曲がる、止まる。
これは自動車の基本性能だが、政治におきかえてみても、この三つのバランスは重要だ。
“What is sought in this Diet session is not mere back-and-forth criticism,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said emphatically during this year’s policy speech while pointing to the opposition gallery. “What is needed is action.”
「この国会に求められていることは、単なる批判の応酬ではありません。行動です」
先の施政方針演説で、野党席の方を指しながらこう力を込めた安倍首相。
Certainly, the Abe administration has been driving along so startlingly wild that eyes are readily drawn to the power of its engine and the orientation of its steering wheel. But the eyes should probably be more focused on the brakes than on anything else.
確かに、政権の激走ぶりには目を見張るものがあり、ついエンジンの馬力やハンドルの傾きにばかり気をとられてしまうが、最も注視すべきは、ブレーキだろう。
HEADING FOR SOMEWHERE, BUT NOT HERE
■ここでないどこかへ
The Constitution for reining in those in power; lessons of history; self-reflection and self-restraint by those in power; critical reviews of those in power by media and opposition parties. These gadgets have functioned as brakes on Japan’s politics during the seven decades since Japan’s defeat in World War II.
権力を縛る憲法。歴史の教訓。権力を持つものの自省と自制。メディアや野党による権力の批判的検証――。敗戦から７０年の間、これらは日本政治のブレーキとして機能してきた。
But the Abe administration and supporting members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party apparently believe that these brakes are the culprit for the slow run of this country.
しかし安倍政権やそれを支える自民党の一部は、ブレーキがあるからこの国の走りが悪くなっていると思い込んでいるようだ。
“You face criticism when you set out on action,” Abe told students of the National Defense Academy during their graduation ceremony. “Irresponsible arguments that are only aimed at stirring up anxiety, such as ‘Japan could be embroiled in war,’ kept recurring in the past. But history of the past 70 years demonstrates how ludicrous those criticisms were.”
「行動を起こせば批判にさらされる。過去も『日本が戦争に巻き込まれる』といった、ただ不安をあおろうとする無責任な言説が繰り返されてきた。批判が荒唐無稽であったことは、この７０年の歴史が証明している」。
The prime minister also referred to the Self-Defense Forces as “our military” during a recent Diet debate.
防衛大学校の卒業式で、首相はこう訓示した。国会では自衛隊を「我が軍」と呼んだ。
Abe has used such phrases as “departure from the postwar regime” and “take back Japan.”
Do those words mean adventurism that implies that the brakes are just embarrassments and that the engine should be opened at full throttle?
「戦後レジームからの脱却」「日本を取り戻す」とは、ブレーキなんか邪魔だ、エンジン全開でぶっ飛ばすぜという冒険主義のことなのだろうか。
“Now” is all that counts to those in the Abe administration. One might ask where they are heading, what makes them hurry so, and whether it is safe to do so.
But they would only respond: “Look at the way we are driving now. There was no administration before that dared to step so boldly on the gas pedal.” They will dismiss all criticism and say: “We are currently dead set on just heading forward for somewhere that is not here. Why do you want to meddle?”
「いま」がすべて。どこに向かっているのか、なぜそんなに急ぐのか、危ないではないかと問うても、いまこの走りを見てくれ、こんなにアクセルを踏み込める政権はかつてなかっただろうと答えが返ってくる。とにかく前へ、ここではないどこかへと、いま必死に走っている最中なんだ、邪魔をするのかと、あらゆる批判をはねのける。
That sort of curious logic is all the rage.
奇妙な論法が横行している。
MAN IN POWER HONKING HIS HORN
■権力者のクラクション
“Hakko ichiu,” a phrase that originally means “to bring the world under one roof,” was used during the Pacific War as a political slogan to justify Japan’s invasion of other nations.
「八紘一宇（はっこういちう）」。もともとは世界を一つの家とする、という意味だが、太平洋戦争中は日本の侵略を正当化する標語として使われた。
But Junko Mihara, director of the LDP’s Women’s Affairs Division, took that phrase out of the historical context during a recent Diet session. She referred to it as an “ideology that Japan has cherished since its foundation.”
自民党の三原じゅん子女性局長は先日の国会で、そのような歴史的文脈を捨象し「日本が建国以来、大切にしてきた価値観」と紹介した。
Things are interpreted so that they are convenient to “me” (Japan), and no consideration is paid to the presence of others. Such a narrow-sighted and rough world view keeps popping up.
「わたし」を中心にものごとを都合よく把握し、他者の存在をまったく考慮に入れない。狭隘（きょうあい）かつ粗雑な世界観が、あちこちから漏れ出している。
During a live appearance on a commercial TV station’s news program last year, Abe said that he believed the broadcaster was airing street interviews “selectively,” a practice that he found “odd.”
首相は昨年、民放ニュース番組に出演し、テレビ局が「街の声」を「選んでいる」「おかしい」などと発言した。
When he was recently told in the Diet that saying such a thing could amount to applying pressure on news reporting, the prime minister dismissively said he had “freedom of speech,” creating a wag-the-dog situation.
先日の国会で、報道への介入と言われても仕方ないと批判されると「言論の自由だ」と突っぱねた。
“Freedom of speech,” which is a right of individuals not to be oppressed by those in power, is being brandished by the man in power.
権力が抑圧してはならない個人の権利である「言論の自由」を権力者が振りかざすという倒錯。
The prime minister also said, “(Those who disagree with me) perhaps feared they could be refuted if they opened an argument with me.” He added: “Will they cringe at only that? Shame on them.”
首相はさらに「私に議論を挑むと論破されるのを恐れたのかもしれない」「それくらいで萎縮してしまう人たちなのか。極めて情けない」とも述べた。
Perhaps Abe lacks the fundamental awareness that he has the highest political power.
ひょっとして首相は、最高権力者であるという自覚を根っこのところで欠いているのではないか。
One probably couldn’t be blamed for flinching momentarily if a large car comes nearby and honks. That is exactly why power should be exercised in a restrained manner so as not to cause the public to flinch.
巨大な車にクラクションを鳴らされたら、周囲が一瞬ひるんでしまうのは仕方ないだろう。だからこそ権力は国民をひるませないよう、抑制的に行使されねばならない。
No prime minister should be influenced by the impulsive inner calls of “now” and “me.”
首相たるもの「いま」「わたし」の衝動に流されるべきではない。
The shame should be directed at Abe, who has yet to learn the manners of a man in power, such as restraint and self-control, and keeps honking his horn as he drives around.
情けないのは抑制や自制という権力の作法を身につけず、けたたましいクラクションを鳴らして走り回る首相の方である。
ANXIETY-RIDDEN SOCIETY
■不安社会とブレーキ
Yet, the Abe administration can continue on its wild run because the atmosphere of society is somehow backing that behavior.
そうは言っても、安倍政権が激走を続けられるのは、社会の空気が、なんとなくそれを支えているからだろう。
A protracted economic slump; the rise of China; widening social disparity; the Great East Japan Earthquake; and the hostage-taking of two Japanese citizens by the Islamic State extremist group ... . Many factors have steadily built up frustration, a sense of crisis and anxiety about not knowing what is at the root of the anxiety.
長引く不況。中国の台頭。格差社会の深刻化。さらに東日本大震災、過激派組織「イスラム国」（ＩＳ）による人質事件などを経て、焦燥感や危機意識、何が不安なのかわからない不安がじわじわと根を張ってきた。
“You could be defeated unless you worked as one under the nation to face challenges. So you should refrain from pouring cold water on the government and help the state achieve its best performance.”
国ぐるみ一丸となって立ち向かわなければやられてしまう。国家が最高のパフォーマンスを発揮できるよう、政府の足を引っ張ってはいけない――。
Such sentiment is spreading.
そんな気分が広がり、
And this is perhaps indirectly causing the advent of a society where top-down decisions are preferred to thorough discussions, and the convenience of the state and groups of people are put ahead of the rights and freedoms of individuals.
熟議よりもトップダウン、個人の権利や自由よりも国家や集団の都合が優先される社会を、知らずしらず招き寄せてはいないだろうか。
When might is master, justice is servant.
無理が通れば道理が引っ込む。
Elements that do not fit in collective unity are expelled under the labels of “anti-Japan” and “traitors.” An extremely infantile argument is being made that media criticism against Abe amounts to “hate speech” against him.
「反日」「売国奴」。一丸になじまぬものを排撃する一方で、首相に対する批判はメディアのヘイトスピーチだという極めて稚拙な言説が飛び出す。
It has recently been said that the media are cringing.
昨今「メディアの萎縮」と呼ばれる事態も、
However, it is not merely a situation of the media flinching at the high-handed manners of the Abe administration. The actual situation is that the media are being mired in a “liquefied society” where reasoning has receded.
強権的な安倍政権にたじろいでいるという単純なものではなく、道理が引っ込み、液状化した社会に足を取られているというのが、
This is our actual, albeit shameful, feeling about the matter.
情けなくはあるが、率直な実感だ。
We should not shut our ears and turn a blind eye to a society where cars without brakes are honking loudly. Something could and should be done now by every single member of society, to say nothing of the media.
ブレーキのない車のクラクションが鳴り響く社会。メディアが耳をふさいでやり過ごしてはならない。そしていま、この社会に生きる一人ひとりにも、できることはあるはずだ。
EDITORIAL: Atmosphere of society lets Abe honk his adventurism horn
（社説）安倍政権の激走 「いま」と「わたし」の大冒険
The essential features of an automobile are to run, to turn and to stop. A balance between the three factors is just as essential in politics.
走る、曲がる、止まる。
これは自動車の基本性能だが、政治におきかえてみても、この三つのバランスは重要だ。
“What is sought in this Diet session is not mere back-and-forth criticism,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said emphatically during this year’s policy speech while pointing to the opposition gallery. “What is needed is action.”
「この国会に求められていることは、単なる批判の応酬ではありません。行動です」
先の施政方針演説で、野党席の方を指しながらこう力を込めた安倍首相。
Certainly, the Abe administration has been driving along so startlingly wild that eyes are readily drawn to the power of its engine and the orientation of its steering wheel. But the eyes should probably be more focused on the brakes than on anything else.
確かに、政権の激走ぶりには目を見張るものがあり、ついエンジンの馬力やハンドルの傾きにばかり気をとられてしまうが、最も注視すべきは、ブレーキだろう。
HEADING FOR SOMEWHERE, BUT NOT HERE
■ここでないどこかへ
The Constitution for reining in those in power; lessons of history; self-reflection and self-restraint by those in power; critical reviews of those in power by media and opposition parties. These gadgets have functioned as brakes on Japan’s politics during the seven decades since Japan’s defeat in World War II.
権力を縛る憲法。歴史の教訓。権力を持つものの自省と自制。メディアや野党による権力の批判的検証――。敗戦から７０年の間、これらは日本政治のブレーキとして機能してきた。
But the Abe administration and supporting members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party apparently believe that these brakes are the culprit for the slow run of this country.
しかし安倍政権やそれを支える自民党の一部は、ブレーキがあるからこの国の走りが悪くなっていると思い込んでいるようだ。
“You face criticism when you set out on action,” Abe told students of the National Defense Academy during their graduation ceremony. “Irresponsible arguments that are only aimed at stirring up anxiety, such as ‘Japan could be embroiled in war,’ kept recurring in the past. But history of the past 70 years demonstrates how ludicrous those criticisms were.”
「行動を起こせば批判にさらされる。過去も『日本が戦争に巻き込まれる』といった、ただ不安をあおろうとする無責任な言説が繰り返されてきた。批判が荒唐無稽であったことは、この７０年の歴史が証明している」。
The prime minister also referred to the Self-Defense Forces as “our military” during a recent Diet debate.
防衛大学校の卒業式で、首相はこう訓示した。国会では自衛隊を「我が軍」と呼んだ。
Abe has used such phrases as “departure from the postwar regime” and “take back Japan.”
Do those words mean adventurism that implies that the brakes are just embarrassments and that the engine should be opened at full throttle?
「戦後レジームからの脱却」「日本を取り戻す」とは、ブレーキなんか邪魔だ、エンジン全開でぶっ飛ばすぜという冒険主義のことなのだろうか。
“Now” is all that counts to those in the Abe administration. One might ask where they are heading, what makes them hurry so, and whether it is safe to do so.
But they would only respond: “Look at the way we are driving now. There was no administration before that dared to step so boldly on the gas pedal.” They will dismiss all criticism and say: “We are currently dead set on just heading forward for somewhere that is not here. Why do you want to meddle?”
「いま」がすべて。どこに向かっているのか、なぜそんなに急ぐのか、危ないではないかと問うても、いまこの走りを見てくれ、こんなにアクセルを踏み込める政権はかつてなかっただろうと答えが返ってくる。とにかく前へ、ここではないどこかへと、いま必死に走っている最中なんだ、邪魔をするのかと、あらゆる批判をはねのける。
That sort of curious logic is all the rage.
奇妙な論法が横行している。
MAN IN POWER HONKING HIS HORN
■権力者のクラクション
“Hakko ichiu,” a phrase that originally means “to bring the world under one roof,” was used during the Pacific War as a political slogan to justify Japan’s invasion of other nations.
「八紘一宇（はっこういちう）」。もともとは世界を一つの家とする、という意味だが、太平洋戦争中は日本の侵略を正当化する標語として使われた。
But Junko Mihara, director of the LDP’s Women’s Affairs Division, took that phrase out of the historical context during a recent Diet session. She referred to it as an “ideology that Japan has cherished since its foundation.”
自民党の三原じゅん子女性局長は先日の国会で、そのような歴史的文脈を捨象し「日本が建国以来、大切にしてきた価値観」と紹介した。
Things are interpreted so that they are convenient to “me” (Japan), and no consideration is paid to the presence of others. Such a narrow-sighted and rough world view keeps popping up.
「わたし」を中心にものごとを都合よく把握し、他者の存在をまったく考慮に入れない。狭隘（きょうあい）かつ粗雑な世界観が、あちこちから漏れ出している。
During a live appearance on a commercial TV station’s news program last year, Abe said that he believed the broadcaster was airing street interviews “selectively,” a practice that he found “odd.”
首相は昨年、民放ニュース番組に出演し、テレビ局が「街の声」を「選んでいる」「おかしい」などと発言した。
When he was recently told in the Diet that saying such a thing could amount to applying pressure on news reporting, the prime minister dismissively said he had “freedom of speech,” creating a wag-the-dog situation.
先日の国会で、報道への介入と言われても仕方ないと批判されると「言論の自由だ」と突っぱねた。
“Freedom of speech,” which is a right of individuals not to be oppressed by those in power, is being brandished by the man in power.
権力が抑圧してはならない個人の権利である「言論の自由」を権力者が振りかざすという倒錯。
The prime minister also said, “(Those who disagree with me) perhaps feared they could be refuted if they opened an argument with me.” He added: “Will they cringe at only that? Shame on them.”
首相はさらに「私に議論を挑むと論破されるのを恐れたのかもしれない」「それくらいで萎縮してしまう人たちなのか。極めて情けない」とも述べた。
Perhaps Abe lacks the fundamental awareness that he has the highest political power.
ひょっとして首相は、最高権力者であるという自覚を根っこのところで欠いているのではないか。
One probably couldn’t be blamed for flinching momentarily if a large car comes nearby and honks. That is exactly why power should be exercised in a restrained manner so as not to cause the public to flinch.
巨大な車にクラクションを鳴らされたら、周囲が一瞬ひるんでしまうのは仕方ないだろう。だからこそ権力は国民をひるませないよう、抑制的に行使されねばならない。
No prime minister should be influenced by the impulsive inner calls of “now” and “me.”
首相たるもの「いま」「わたし」の衝動に流されるべきではない。
The shame should be directed at Abe, who has yet to learn the manners of a man in power, such as restraint and self-control, and keeps honking his horn as he drives around.
情けないのは抑制や自制という権力の作法を身につけず、けたたましいクラクションを鳴らして走り回る首相の方である。
ANXIETY-RIDDEN SOCIETY
■不安社会とブレーキ
Yet, the Abe administration can continue on its wild run because the atmosphere of society is somehow backing that behavior.
そうは言っても、安倍政権が激走を続けられるのは、社会の空気が、なんとなくそれを支えているからだろう。
A protracted economic slump; the rise of China; widening social disparity; the Great East Japan Earthquake; and the hostage-taking of two Japanese citizens by the Islamic State extremist group ... . Many factors have steadily built up frustration, a sense of crisis and anxiety about not knowing what is at the root of the anxiety.
長引く不況。中国の台頭。格差社会の深刻化。さらに東日本大震災、過激派組織「イスラム国」（ＩＳ）による人質事件などを経て、焦燥感や危機意識、何が不安なのかわからない不安がじわじわと根を張ってきた。
“You could be defeated unless you worked as one under the nation to face challenges. So you should refrain from pouring cold water on the government and help the state achieve its best performance.”
国ぐるみ一丸となって立ち向かわなければやられてしまう。国家が最高のパフォーマンスを発揮できるよう、政府の足を引っ張ってはいけない――。
Such sentiment is spreading.
そんな気分が広がり、
And this is perhaps indirectly causing the advent of a society where top-down decisions are preferred to thorough discussions, and the convenience of the state and groups of people are put ahead of the rights and freedoms of individuals.
熟議よりもトップダウン、個人の権利や自由よりも国家や集団の都合が優先される社会を、知らずしらず招き寄せてはいないだろうか。
When might is master, justice is servant.
無理が通れば道理が引っ込む。
Elements that do not fit in collective unity are expelled under the labels of “anti-Japan” and “traitors.” An extremely infantile argument is being made that media criticism against Abe amounts to “hate speech” against him.
「反日」「売国奴」。一丸になじまぬものを排撃する一方で、首相に対する批判はメディアのヘイトスピーチだという極めて稚拙な言説が飛び出す。
It has recently been said that the media are cringing.
昨今「メディアの萎縮」と呼ばれる事態も、
However, it is not merely a situation of the media flinching at the high-handed manners of the Abe administration. The actual situation is that the media are being mired in a “liquefied society” where reasoning has receded.
強権的な安倍政権にたじろいでいるという単純なものではなく、道理が引っ込み、液状化した社会に足を取られているというのが、
This is our actual, albeit shameful, feeling about the matter.
情けなくはあるが、率直な実感だ。
We should not shut our ears and turn a blind eye to a society where cars without brakes are honking loudly. Something could and should be done now by every single member of society, to say nothing of the media.
ブレーキのない車のクラクションが鳴り響く社会。メディアが耳をふさいでやり過ごしてはならない。そしていま、この社会に生きる一人ひとりにも、できることはあるはずだ。
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 28
（社説）不平等な一票 正統性が問われている
EDITORIAL: Diet's failure to fix vote-value disparity shows contempt for democracy
The Diet’s legitimacy to change Japan’s postwar pacifist principles or to initiate debate on constitutional amendments has been called into question by its failure to solve the serious problem of vote-value disparity.
いまの国会に、戦後の平和主義を転換したり、憲法を変える論議を提起したりする正統性があるといえるのか。
Although it is considering a new measure to improve the situation, the Diet has been far too slow to take steps to rectify the gross political inequality.
新たな是正策を検討しているとはいえ、国会の動きはあまりに鈍い。
It is hard not to doubt even the Diet’s will to respect the fundamental principle of equality under the law.
法の下の平等という原則を尊重する意思があるのか。それすら疑わざるを得ない。
High courts across the nation have handed down rulings on the constitutionality of the Lower House election last December, which was held with significant inequity in the value of a single vote.
昨年１２月の衆院選の一票の格差をめぐる判決が、各地の高裁・支部で続いている。
Rulings have been delivered on 14 of the 17 lawsuits filed by lawyers’ groups in various high courts demanding that the election results be nullified.
One of the courts ruled that the election was “unconstitutional,” and nine ruled that it was held in a “state of unconstitutionality,” one step short of an outright violation of the Constitution. Four courts said the election was constitutional.
１７件のうち１４件で判決が出て、「違憲」が１、その手前の「違憲状態」が９。「合憲」は４だった。
In ruling that the election was held in a state of unconstitutionality, one of the high courts effectively set a deadline of December 2016 for redressing the situation in line with the Diet’s time frame for reforming the electoral system. The ruling sounded like ultimatum that unless the system is reformed, the next election could be declared unconstitutional and invalid.
「違憲状態」判決には、来年１２月を期限とし、改めずに選挙したら次は「違憲・無効」もありという、最後通告のような厳しさも含まれている。
In the December Lower House election, one vote in the nation’s least populated constituency was worth 2.13 votes in the most heavily populated district. In other words, the weight of one person’s vote in a certain district was less than half of the weight of another person’s vote in a different district.
あのときの一票の格差は最大２・１３倍。ある人の投票の重みが、違う選挙区に住む人の半分にも満たないことを意味する。
Why do voters have to put up with such outrageous inequality? The Diet’s negligence in failing to fix the problem is nothing but contempt for democracy.
そこまでの不平等を、有権者は耐え忍ぶしかないのか。国会の怠慢による不平等の放置は、民主主義に対する軽蔑以外の何ものでもない。
Before the Lower House election, the Diet tweaked the electoral system by reducing the number of single-seat constituencies by one each in five prefectures. But the Diet has kept intact the method of first distributing one seat to each of the 47 prefectures before allocating the remaining seats in the single-seat constituency part of the system in proportion to population.
前回衆院選は「０増５減」の調整はされたが、議席をまず都道府県に一つずつ割り振る「１人別枠方式」を事実上残して行われた。
Four years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that this approach was the main cause of the vote-value disparity and called for its abolition.
最高裁が４年前、一票の重みを不平等にする主因とし、廃止を促した方法だ。
However, no radical reform of the system to bring the disparity closer to zero has been carried out. What the Diet is currently considering is a proposal to reduce the numbers of seats allocated to nine prefectures by one each, while increasing the numbers of seats in six prefectures by one to three. But this is just another adjustment to make the figures look better.
格差をゼロに近づける抜本改革はなされず、いま検討されているのも「９増９減」という、別の数合わせにすぎない。
By making such a lukewarm response, the Diet cannot escape being criticized for lowering its own representation and legitimacy.
自ら代表性や正統性を低めようとしているといわれても仕方ない。
We don’t need to wait for a Supreme Court ruling to say that the Diet has no choice but to start making serious efforts to overhaul the electoral systems for both houses.
最高裁の判決を待つまでもなく、国会は衆参両院をにらんだ抜本改革に本気で取り組むしかない。
Some lawmakers feel that it is not imperative to reform the system because four high courts have ruled the election was constitutional.
合憲判決があったことで開き直る雰囲気もあるようだが、
But they are wrong.
それは間違っている。
These rulings were based on the assumption that the Diet will make progress in improving the system. These legislators should understand that the courts simply showed respect for the legislature’s power to make policy decisions on the issue.
あくまでも国会で制度見直しが進むことを前提にしており、三権の緊張関係の中で、司法が立法の裁量権に配慮した判断だということをふまえるべきだ。
The current situation makes us freshly aware of the misguided leniency the Supreme Court showed in ruling in 2013 on the constitutionality of the 2012 Lower House election.
改めて甘かったと感じるのが、前々回の１２年衆院選をめぐる１３年の最高裁判決である。
The top court showed a certain degree of understanding of the Diet’s plan to improve the system without abandoning the method of allocating a seat to each prefecture first. This ruling may have led some high courts to show similar leniency by declaring the election constitutional.
１人別枠方式を実質的に残したやり方に一定の理解を示した点が、今回の高裁で「合憲」まで出る寛容さをうみ出しているのではないか。
What must not be forgotten is the heavy responsibility of the judiciary concerning the problem of inequality in the value of a single vote.
忘れてならないのは、投票価値の不平等に伴う司法の責任の重みだ。
It is not surprising that legislators secretly wish to maintain the system under which they were elected. They are not qualified to represent the interests of voters who are demanding equality in the weight of their votes.
議員が自分を選んだ制度を温存したいのは本音だろうし、平等な一票を求める国民の利益代表にはなりにくい。
This is a value that will continue to be ignored unless the judiciary makes clear its importance.
司法がきっちり言わないと、ないがしろにされがちな価値なのだ。
More high court rulings on the issue are expected to come next month. The courts should make well-reasoned decisions from the viewpoint of the people’s interests.
高裁判決は来月も続く。国民の側に足場を置いて、判断を尽くしてほしい。
（社説）不平等な一票 正統性が問われている
EDITORIAL: Diet's failure to fix vote-value disparity shows contempt for democracy
The Diet’s legitimacy to change Japan’s postwar pacifist principles or to initiate debate on constitutional amendments has been called into question by its failure to solve the serious problem of vote-value disparity.
いまの国会に、戦後の平和主義を転換したり、憲法を変える論議を提起したりする正統性があるといえるのか。
Although it is considering a new measure to improve the situation, the Diet has been far too slow to take steps to rectify the gross political inequality.
新たな是正策を検討しているとはいえ、国会の動きはあまりに鈍い。
It is hard not to doubt even the Diet’s will to respect the fundamental principle of equality under the law.
法の下の平等という原則を尊重する意思があるのか。それすら疑わざるを得ない。
High courts across the nation have handed down rulings on the constitutionality of the Lower House election last December, which was held with significant inequity in the value of a single vote.
昨年１２月の衆院選の一票の格差をめぐる判決が、各地の高裁・支部で続いている。
Rulings have been delivered on 14 of the 17 lawsuits filed by lawyers’ groups in various high courts demanding that the election results be nullified.
One of the courts ruled that the election was “unconstitutional,” and nine ruled that it was held in a “state of unconstitutionality,” one step short of an outright violation of the Constitution. Four courts said the election was constitutional.
１７件のうち１４件で判決が出て、「違憲」が１、その手前の「違憲状態」が９。「合憲」は４だった。
In ruling that the election was held in a state of unconstitutionality, one of the high courts effectively set a deadline of December 2016 for redressing the situation in line with the Diet’s time frame for reforming the electoral system. The ruling sounded like ultimatum that unless the system is reformed, the next election could be declared unconstitutional and invalid.
「違憲状態」判決には、来年１２月を期限とし、改めずに選挙したら次は「違憲・無効」もありという、最後通告のような厳しさも含まれている。
In the December Lower House election, one vote in the nation’s least populated constituency was worth 2.13 votes in the most heavily populated district. In other words, the weight of one person’s vote in a certain district was less than half of the weight of another person’s vote in a different district.
あのときの一票の格差は最大２・１３倍。ある人の投票の重みが、違う選挙区に住む人の半分にも満たないことを意味する。
Why do voters have to put up with such outrageous inequality? The Diet’s negligence in failing to fix the problem is nothing but contempt for democracy.
そこまでの不平等を、有権者は耐え忍ぶしかないのか。国会の怠慢による不平等の放置は、民主主義に対する軽蔑以外の何ものでもない。
Before the Lower House election, the Diet tweaked the electoral system by reducing the number of single-seat constituencies by one each in five prefectures. But the Diet has kept intact the method of first distributing one seat to each of the 47 prefectures before allocating the remaining seats in the single-seat constituency part of the system in proportion to population.
前回衆院選は「０増５減」の調整はされたが、議席をまず都道府県に一つずつ割り振る「１人別枠方式」を事実上残して行われた。
Four years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that this approach was the main cause of the vote-value disparity and called for its abolition.
最高裁が４年前、一票の重みを不平等にする主因とし、廃止を促した方法だ。
However, no radical reform of the system to bring the disparity closer to zero has been carried out. What the Diet is currently considering is a proposal to reduce the numbers of seats allocated to nine prefectures by one each, while increasing the numbers of seats in six prefectures by one to three. But this is just another adjustment to make the figures look better.
格差をゼロに近づける抜本改革はなされず、いま検討されているのも「９増９減」という、別の数合わせにすぎない。
By making such a lukewarm response, the Diet cannot escape being criticized for lowering its own representation and legitimacy.
自ら代表性や正統性を低めようとしているといわれても仕方ない。
We don’t need to wait for a Supreme Court ruling to say that the Diet has no choice but to start making serious efforts to overhaul the electoral systems for both houses.
最高裁の判決を待つまでもなく、国会は衆参両院をにらんだ抜本改革に本気で取り組むしかない。
Some lawmakers feel that it is not imperative to reform the system because four high courts have ruled the election was constitutional.
合憲判決があったことで開き直る雰囲気もあるようだが、
But they are wrong.
それは間違っている。
These rulings were based on the assumption that the Diet will make progress in improving the system. These legislators should understand that the courts simply showed respect for the legislature’s power to make policy decisions on the issue.
あくまでも国会で制度見直しが進むことを前提にしており、三権の緊張関係の中で、司法が立法の裁量権に配慮した判断だということをふまえるべきだ。
The current situation makes us freshly aware of the misguided leniency the Supreme Court showed in ruling in 2013 on the constitutionality of the 2012 Lower House election.
改めて甘かったと感じるのが、前々回の１２年衆院選をめぐる１３年の最高裁判決である。
The top court showed a certain degree of understanding of the Diet’s plan to improve the system without abandoning the method of allocating a seat to each prefecture first. This ruling may have led some high courts to show similar leniency by declaring the election constitutional.
１人別枠方式を実質的に残したやり方に一定の理解を示した点が、今回の高裁で「合憲」まで出る寛容さをうみ出しているのではないか。
What must not be forgotten is the heavy responsibility of the judiciary concerning the problem of inequality in the value of a single vote.
忘れてならないのは、投票価値の不平等に伴う司法の責任の重みだ。
It is not surprising that legislators secretly wish to maintain the system under which they were elected. They are not qualified to represent the interests of voters who are demanding equality in the weight of their votes.
議員が自分を選んだ制度を温存したいのは本音だろうし、平等な一票を求める国民の利益代表にはなりにくい。
This is a value that will continue to be ignored unless the judiciary makes clear its importance.
司法がきっちり言わないと、ないがしろにされがちな価値なのだ。
More high court rulings on the issue are expected to come next month. The courts should make well-reasoned decisions from the viewpoint of the people’s interests.
高裁判決は来月も続く。国民の側に足場を置いて、判断を尽くしてほしい。
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 24
EDITORIAL: High time for government to answer Okinawa’s questions
（社説）辺野古移設 沖縄の問いに答えよ
How long will the central government continue to blatantly and completely ignore Okinawa Prefecture’s requests and questions concerning the plan to relocate a key U.S. air base?
政府はどこまで問答無用の姿勢を続けるつもりなのか。
Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga on March 23 ordered the Okinawa Defense Bureau to suspend within a week all work to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in the crowded city of Ginowan to the Henoko district of Nago. The ongoing work includes a seabed drilling survey to prepare for land reclamation off Henoko.
沖縄県の翁長雄志知事はきのう、米軍普天間飛行場（宜野湾市）の名護市辺野古沖への移設に伴う埋め立て工事に向けたボーリング調査など一連の作業を１週間以内に停止するよう、沖縄防衛局に指示した。
If the bureau refuses to obey his order, Onaga warns he will revoke the prefectural government’s permission, issued by his predecessor, Hirokazu Nakaima, in August last year, for rock reefs to be destroyed for the construction work.
指示に従わなければ、昨年８月に仲井真弘多・前知事が出した「岩礁破砕許可」を取り消すとしている。
In a March 23 news conference, Onaga said, “I’ve made up my mind.” His move should be regarded as a strong signal of Okinawa’s will that this is effectively an ultimatum by the prefecture.
翁長知事は会見で「腹を決めている」と述べた。沖縄側の最後通告ともいえる意思表示と考えるべきだろう。
In pursuing the plan to build an airbase in Henoko to replace the Futenma facilities, the central government has repeatedly said it would continue efforts to win support from people in Okinawa. In reality, however, the government has been quietly but steadily going ahead with the plan without paying any attention to Okinawa’s calls.
これまでの経緯を振り返ると、「沖縄の方々の理解を得る努力を続けながら」と言ってきたはずの政府が実際には、沖縄の訴えに耳を閉ざして「粛々と」作業に突き進んできた状況がある。
Destruction of the rock reefs will alter the configuration of the seabed. To prevent a negative impact on marine resources, prefectural fisheries coordination regulations require advance permission from the prefectural governor for the destruction of such reefs.
岩礁破砕は海底の地形を変化させる行為。水産資源への影響を避けるため、県漁業調整規則で知事の許可が必要だ。
The current row between the administration and the prefectural government began in January, when the Okinawa Defense Bureau, the Defense Ministry’s local branch, sank a number of massive concrete blocks onto the seabed as anchors for buoys and floats that indicate the off-limits zones.
ことの発端は１月、沖縄防衛局が海底に大型のコンクリートブロックをいくつも沈めたことだった。
The blocks were sunk along the borders of the off-limits zones, which surround the areas where Nakaima approved the destruction of rock reefs for the construction work. This raised concerns about possible damage to coral reefs and other natural elements, prompting the prefectural government to start an on-site inspection on its own.
ブロックの投下は、許可区域を広く取り囲むように設定された立ち入り禁止区域に沿って行われ、許可区域外の海底のサンゴ礁などが傷ついているおそれがある。県は独自調査に取り組み始めていた。
But the prefecture’s attempt to conduct an inspection in the off-limits areas was rejected by the U.S. military. The local government again submitted a request for U.S. permission for the inspection. When he ordered a suspension of the work, Onaga also asked the Defense Bureau to help with the prefectural government’s inspection.
しかし立ち入り禁止区域での調査は米軍に拒まれ、県は再度調査を申請している。翁長知事は今回、防衛局に調査への協力も求めた。
Onaga, who defeated Nakaima in a gubernatorial election in November, initially called for a suspension of the work until an independent committee set up to assess Nakaima’s approval of land reclamation off Henoko reaches its conclusion.
翁長知事は仲井真前知事が出した埋め立て承認を検証する第三者委員会の結論が出るまで、作業の中止を要求した。
But the Abe administration ignored his request and forged ahead with the drilling survey.
それを無視して政権側はボーリング作業に突き進んだ。
As for the sinking of concrete blocks, the administration has kept repeating that the Okinawa government headed by Nakaima said the act is not subject to procedures for approval. Tokyo has ignored the Okinawa government’s argument that its permission is required for sinking such massive blocks.
政府はブロック投下について「（前知事時代に）県から岩礁破砕手続きの対象とならないと示されていた」と主張し続け、「対象となる」とする県の言い分に聞く耳を持たない。
Onaga was elected on a pledge to stop the relocation of the Futenma air base to Henoko. It is only natural for him to use his administrative powers to take action to promote Okinawa’s position on the issue.
知事選で辺野古移設阻止を公約して当選した翁長知事にしてみれば、知事の行政権限を駆使して沖縄の立場を訴える行動に出るのは当然の流れだろう。
Criticizing Onaga’s move, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said, “I hope he will give a little more consideration to the interests of Okinawa Prefecture and Japan’s national security in thinking” about the issue.
知事の姿勢を、中谷防衛相は「もう少し沖縄県のことや日本の安全保障を踏まえて考えていただきたい」と批判する。
But people in Okinawa Prefecture, which is home to an overwhelmingly large proportion of the U.S. bases in Japan, have many questions about the government’s security policy, such as why a base must be built in Henoko and why U.S. Marines have to be stationed in the prefecture.
だが、米軍基地が集中する沖縄の県民にとっては、国の安全保障政策は「なぜ辺野古か」「なぜ沖縄に海兵隊か」といった疑問だらけである。
The administration should make sincere and straightforward responses to these serious questions asked by Okinawa.
沖縄からの深刻な問いかけに、政府はまず向き合うべきだ。
EDITORIAL: High time for government to answer Okinawa’s questions
（社説）辺野古移設 沖縄の問いに答えよ
How long will the central government continue to blatantly and completely ignore Okinawa Prefecture’s requests and questions concerning the plan to relocate a key U.S. air base?
政府はどこまで問答無用の姿勢を続けるつもりなのか。
Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga on March 23 ordered the Okinawa Defense Bureau to suspend within a week all work to relocate the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in the crowded city of Ginowan to the Henoko district of Nago. The ongoing work includes a seabed drilling survey to prepare for land reclamation off Henoko.
沖縄県の翁長雄志知事はきのう、米軍普天間飛行場（宜野湾市）の名護市辺野古沖への移設に伴う埋め立て工事に向けたボーリング調査など一連の作業を１週間以内に停止するよう、沖縄防衛局に指示した。
If the bureau refuses to obey his order, Onaga warns he will revoke the prefectural government’s permission, issued by his predecessor, Hirokazu Nakaima, in August last year, for rock reefs to be destroyed for the construction work.
指示に従わなければ、昨年８月に仲井真弘多・前知事が出した「岩礁破砕許可」を取り消すとしている。
In a March 23 news conference, Onaga said, “I’ve made up my mind.” His move should be regarded as a strong signal of Okinawa’s will that this is effectively an ultimatum by the prefecture.
翁長知事は会見で「腹を決めている」と述べた。沖縄側の最後通告ともいえる意思表示と考えるべきだろう。
In pursuing the plan to build an airbase in Henoko to replace the Futenma facilities, the central government has repeatedly said it would continue efforts to win support from people in Okinawa. In reality, however, the government has been quietly but steadily going ahead with the plan without paying any attention to Okinawa’s calls.
これまでの経緯を振り返ると、「沖縄の方々の理解を得る努力を続けながら」と言ってきたはずの政府が実際には、沖縄の訴えに耳を閉ざして「粛々と」作業に突き進んできた状況がある。
Destruction of the rock reefs will alter the configuration of the seabed. To prevent a negative impact on marine resources, prefectural fisheries coordination regulations require advance permission from the prefectural governor for the destruction of such reefs.
岩礁破砕は海底の地形を変化させる行為。水産資源への影響を避けるため、県漁業調整規則で知事の許可が必要だ。
The current row between the administration and the prefectural government began in January, when the Okinawa Defense Bureau, the Defense Ministry’s local branch, sank a number of massive concrete blocks onto the seabed as anchors for buoys and floats that indicate the off-limits zones.
ことの発端は１月、沖縄防衛局が海底に大型のコンクリートブロックをいくつも沈めたことだった。
The blocks were sunk along the borders of the off-limits zones, which surround the areas where Nakaima approved the destruction of rock reefs for the construction work. This raised concerns about possible damage to coral reefs and other natural elements, prompting the prefectural government to start an on-site inspection on its own.
ブロックの投下は、許可区域を広く取り囲むように設定された立ち入り禁止区域に沿って行われ、許可区域外の海底のサンゴ礁などが傷ついているおそれがある。県は独自調査に取り組み始めていた。
But the prefecture’s attempt to conduct an inspection in the off-limits areas was rejected by the U.S. military. The local government again submitted a request for U.S. permission for the inspection. When he ordered a suspension of the work, Onaga also asked the Defense Bureau to help with the prefectural government’s inspection.
しかし立ち入り禁止区域での調査は米軍に拒まれ、県は再度調査を申請している。翁長知事は今回、防衛局に調査への協力も求めた。
Onaga, who defeated Nakaima in a gubernatorial election in November, initially called for a suspension of the work until an independent committee set up to assess Nakaima’s approval of land reclamation off Henoko reaches its conclusion.
翁長知事は仲井真前知事が出した埋め立て承認を検証する第三者委員会の結論が出るまで、作業の中止を要求した。
But the Abe administration ignored his request and forged ahead with the drilling survey.
それを無視して政権側はボーリング作業に突き進んだ。
As for the sinking of concrete blocks, the administration has kept repeating that the Okinawa government headed by Nakaima said the act is not subject to procedures for approval. Tokyo has ignored the Okinawa government’s argument that its permission is required for sinking such massive blocks.
政府はブロック投下について「（前知事時代に）県から岩礁破砕手続きの対象とならないと示されていた」と主張し続け、「対象となる」とする県の言い分に聞く耳を持たない。
Onaga was elected on a pledge to stop the relocation of the Futenma air base to Henoko. It is only natural for him to use his administrative powers to take action to promote Okinawa’s position on the issue.
知事選で辺野古移設阻止を公約して当選した翁長知事にしてみれば、知事の行政権限を駆使して沖縄の立場を訴える行動に出るのは当然の流れだろう。
Criticizing Onaga’s move, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said, “I hope he will give a little more consideration to the interests of Okinawa Prefecture and Japan’s national security in thinking” about the issue.
知事の姿勢を、中谷防衛相は「もう少し沖縄県のことや日本の安全保障を踏まえて考えていただきたい」と批判する。
But people in Okinawa Prefecture, which is home to an overwhelmingly large proportion of the U.S. bases in Japan, have many questions about the government’s security policy, such as why a base must be built in Henoko and why U.S. Marines have to be stationed in the prefecture.
だが、米軍基地が集中する沖縄の県民にとっては、国の安全保障政策は「なぜ辺野古か」「なぜ沖縄に海兵隊か」といった疑問だらけである。
The administration should make sincere and straightforward responses to these serious questions asked by Okinawa.
沖縄からの深刻な問いかけに、政府はまず向き合うべきだ。
The Yomiuri Shimbun
Terrorist attack in Tunisia threatens successful transition to democracy
チュニジア襲撃 「民主化モデル」を脅かすテロ
Yet another horrendous case of bloodshed has occurred in North Africa, where terrorist activities by Islamic extremists have been continuing.
イスラム過激派によるテロが続く北アフリカでまた惨事が発生した。
Gunmen fired indiscriminately at a museum in the Tunisian capital of Tunis on Wednesday, killing about 20 people, including tourists from abroad, three of them from Japan. Many others were wounded, among them three Japanese.
チュニジアの首都チュニスの博物館で武装集団が銃を乱射し、日本人３人を含む外国人観光客ら約２０人が死亡した。日本人３人など多数が負傷している。
This murderous rampage, which randomly targeted innocent people, can never be forgiven.
罪のない人々を無差別に襲う凶行は、断じて許されない。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe strongly condemned the atrocity, stressing, “We will make the utmost efforts in our fight against terrorism by further deepening cooperation with the international community.” This is perfectly natural.
安倍首相は、犯行を強く非難し、「国際社会と連携を深めながらテロとの戦いに全力を尽くす」と強調した。当然である。
The government must endeavor to protect those who were attacked and ensure the safety of Japanese living overseas.
政府は、被害者の保護や在留邦人の安全確保に努めるべきだ。
It is no longer rare for Japanese people to be embroiled in terrorist assaults abroad. Given these circumstances, the government must strengthen its measures for collecting information about regions with unstable security and for disseminating warnings about such regions.
日本人が海外でテロに巻き込まれる例は、もはや珍しくない。政府は、情勢が不安定な地域に関する情報収集と、危険情報の発信を強化しなければならない。
The security authorities in Tunis reportedly shot to death two Tunisian members of the group of gunmen, and have taken multiple suspects into custody. An Islamic extremist organization is suspected of being involved in the daylight raid. The whole truth of the incident should be brought to light promptly.
現地の治安当局が、武装集団のチュニジア人２人を射殺し、複数の容疑者を拘束したという。事件へのイスラム過激派組織の関与が疑われている。全容解明を急いでもらいたい。
Tunisia is known for having spearheaded the Arab Spring uprisings for democratization, in which long-standing dictatorial regimes in the Middle East and North Africa were toppled by the people. After the collapse in the 2011 Jasmine Revolution of the administration of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, whose dictatorship had lasted for 23 years, popular revolts spread to Egypt, Libya and elsewhere.
チュニジアは、中東や北アフリカの長期独裁政権を民衆が倒す民主化運動「アラブの春」の先陣を切った。２３年続いたベンアリ政権が２０１１年の「ジャスミン革命」で崩壊すると、その波はエジプト、リビアなどに広がった。
3,000 joining ISIL
Amid the political turmoil in those countries following the easing of dictatorial rule, Tunisia was able to craft a democratic system for the coexistence of secular groups and Islamic moderates. It thereby drew international attention as a model for a successful transition to democracy.
独裁統治の緩んだ各国で政情が混乱する中、チュニジアは、世俗派とイスラム穏健派が共存する政治体制を構築し、民主化の成功モデルとして注目された。
Behind this progress, however, public order and security deteriorated in Tunisia, while investment from abroad and the number of foreign tourists dropped significantly, sending the Tunisian economy into stagnation. With radicalism spreading among young people and others in poverty who are dissatisfied with society, there can be no denying that the threat of terrorism existed before the Tunis attack.
ただ、その陰で治安が悪化し、外国の投資や観光客が落ち込み、経済は停滞していた。社会に不満を持つ貧しい若者らに過激主義が浸透し、テロの潜在的な脅威があったことは否めない。
The number of Tunisian fighters who have joined the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) based in Iraq and Syria, is reportedly about 3,000. They are the largest group among overseas members of ISIL, causing Tunisia to earn the dishonorable nickname of an “exporter of extremist elements.”
イラクとシリアに根を張る過激派組織「イスラム国」に参加したチュニジア人戦闘員は、約３０００人に達するという。出身国別で最も多く、「過激分子の輸出国」との不名誉な異名も取った。
Until the latest incident, terrorist activities in Tunisia had been considered to be limited compared to the rampant presence of Islamic extremist groups in the neighboring countries of Libya and Algeria. The recent shooting has upended this belief.
隣国のリビアとアルジェリアでイスラム過激派組織が跋ばっ扈こするのに対し、チュニジアでの活動は限定的と見られていた。だが、今回の事件は、その見方を覆した。
To ensure that the foundation of its democratic system, which it has managed to build at long last, is not shaken, the Tunisian government should seriously address the challenge of restoring public order and resuscitating the economy.
チュニジア政府は、せっかく築いた民主主義体制の基盤を揺るがせないため、治安回復と経済再建に真剣に取り組む必要がある。
After the gunmen’s siege, President Beji Caid Essebsi of Tunisia declared his government’s strengthening of measures to stamp out terrorists. Tougher steps for clamping down on terrorist groups, as well as bolstering inspections and surveillance at such places as airports and borders, are urgently needed to stem the infiltration of terrorist fighters.
事件後、セブシ大統領は、テロ掃討の強化を宣言した。過激派集団の摘発や、戦闘員の往来を阻止するための空港や国境での検問や監視の強化が急務である。
For its part, Japan must step up efforts to extend assistance to Tunisia in cooperation with the United States and European nations.
日本も、欧米諸国と連携し、チュニジア支援に力を入れたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 20, 2015)
Terrorist attack in Tunisia threatens successful transition to democracy
チュニジア襲撃 「民主化モデル」を脅かすテロ
Yet another horrendous case of bloodshed has occurred in North Africa, where terrorist activities by Islamic extremists have been continuing.
イスラム過激派によるテロが続く北アフリカでまた惨事が発生した。
Gunmen fired indiscriminately at a museum in the Tunisian capital of Tunis on Wednesday, killing about 20 people, including tourists from abroad, three of them from Japan. Many others were wounded, among them three Japanese.
チュニジアの首都チュニスの博物館で武装集団が銃を乱射し、日本人３人を含む外国人観光客ら約２０人が死亡した。日本人３人など多数が負傷している。
This murderous rampage, which randomly targeted innocent people, can never be forgiven.
罪のない人々を無差別に襲う凶行は、断じて許されない。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe strongly condemned the atrocity, stressing, “We will make the utmost efforts in our fight against terrorism by further deepening cooperation with the international community.” This is perfectly natural.
安倍首相は、犯行を強く非難し、「国際社会と連携を深めながらテロとの戦いに全力を尽くす」と強調した。当然である。
The government must endeavor to protect those who were attacked and ensure the safety of Japanese living overseas.
政府は、被害者の保護や在留邦人の安全確保に努めるべきだ。
It is no longer rare for Japanese people to be embroiled in terrorist assaults abroad. Given these circumstances, the government must strengthen its measures for collecting information about regions with unstable security and for disseminating warnings about such regions.
日本人が海外でテロに巻き込まれる例は、もはや珍しくない。政府は、情勢が不安定な地域に関する情報収集と、危険情報の発信を強化しなければならない。
The security authorities in Tunis reportedly shot to death two Tunisian members of the group of gunmen, and have taken multiple suspects into custody. An Islamic extremist organization is suspected of being involved in the daylight raid. The whole truth of the incident should be brought to light promptly.
現地の治安当局が、武装集団のチュニジア人２人を射殺し、複数の容疑者を拘束したという。事件へのイスラム過激派組織の関与が疑われている。全容解明を急いでもらいたい。
Tunisia is known for having spearheaded the Arab Spring uprisings for democratization, in which long-standing dictatorial regimes in the Middle East and North Africa were toppled by the people. After the collapse in the 2011 Jasmine Revolution of the administration of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, whose dictatorship had lasted for 23 years, popular revolts spread to Egypt, Libya and elsewhere.
チュニジアは、中東や北アフリカの長期独裁政権を民衆が倒す民主化運動「アラブの春」の先陣を切った。２３年続いたベンアリ政権が２０１１年の「ジャスミン革命」で崩壊すると、その波はエジプト、リビアなどに広がった。
3,000 joining ISIL
Amid the political turmoil in those countries following the easing of dictatorial rule, Tunisia was able to craft a democratic system for the coexistence of secular groups and Islamic moderates. It thereby drew international attention as a model for a successful transition to democracy.
独裁統治の緩んだ各国で政情が混乱する中、チュニジアは、世俗派とイスラム穏健派が共存する政治体制を構築し、民主化の成功モデルとして注目された。
Behind this progress, however, public order and security deteriorated in Tunisia, while investment from abroad and the number of foreign tourists dropped significantly, sending the Tunisian economy into stagnation. With radicalism spreading among young people and others in poverty who are dissatisfied with society, there can be no denying that the threat of terrorism existed before the Tunis attack.
ただ、その陰で治安が悪化し、外国の投資や観光客が落ち込み、経済は停滞していた。社会に不満を持つ貧しい若者らに過激主義が浸透し、テロの潜在的な脅威があったことは否めない。
The number of Tunisian fighters who have joined the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) based in Iraq and Syria, is reportedly about 3,000. They are the largest group among overseas members of ISIL, causing Tunisia to earn the dishonorable nickname of an “exporter of extremist elements.”
イラクとシリアに根を張る過激派組織「イスラム国」に参加したチュニジア人戦闘員は、約３０００人に達するという。出身国別で最も多く、「過激分子の輸出国」との不名誉な異名も取った。
Until the latest incident, terrorist activities in Tunisia had been considered to be limited compared to the rampant presence of Islamic extremist groups in the neighboring countries of Libya and Algeria. The recent shooting has upended this belief.
隣国のリビアとアルジェリアでイスラム過激派組織が跋ばっ扈こするのに対し、チュニジアでの活動は限定的と見られていた。だが、今回の事件は、その見方を覆した。
To ensure that the foundation of its democratic system, which it has managed to build at long last, is not shaken, the Tunisian government should seriously address the challenge of restoring public order and resuscitating the economy.
チュニジア政府は、せっかく築いた民主主義体制の基盤を揺るがせないため、治安回復と経済再建に真剣に取り組む必要がある。
After the gunmen’s siege, President Beji Caid Essebsi of Tunisia declared his government’s strengthening of measures to stamp out terrorists. Tougher steps for clamping down on terrorist groups, as well as bolstering inspections and surveillance at such places as airports and borders, are urgently needed to stem the infiltration of terrorist fighters.
事件後、セブシ大統領は、テロ掃討の強化を宣言した。過激派集団の摘発や、戦闘員の往来を阻止するための空港や国境での検問や監視の強化が急務である。
For its part, Japan must step up efforts to extend assistance to Tunisia in cooperation with the United States and European nations.
日本も、欧米諸国と連携し、チュニジア支援に力を入れたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 20, 2015)
スポンサードリンク
プロフィール
カイちゃん父親に花束を捧げる
タイのスラチャイです
妻はタイ人、娘ばかり３人も！ 
■近況
２００９年の９月１５日に脳梗塞を発症、右手が少し不自由になりました。
MRAで脳梗塞の部位を特定でき、素早い処置をとれたので大事に至りませんでした。
快復にむけてリハビリ中です。
(2011/01/01更新)
■自己紹介・リンク
[ はじめに ]
タイのスラチャイです。
英語学習に王道はありません。
毎日毎日の地道な努力の積み重ねが必要です。
スラチャイはＮＨＫのラジオ英語会話で現在の英語力を身につけました。
一日僅か１５分の学習でも数年間継続すれば相当な学習効果が期待できます。
[ 名前 ]
松井 清 （スラチャイ）
[ 略歴 ]
・福岡県出身
・国立高知大学卒業
・準大手建設会社に就職
・50歳で会社を早期退職
・99/10 タイ全土を旅行
・00/10 タイに移住
・03/07 カイちゃん誕生
・07/06 シーファーちゃん誕生
・現在タイ国コンケン在住
[ 座右の銘 ]
Slow and steady wins the race.
遅くとも着実な者が勝利する
（NHK基礎英語芹沢栄先生）
[ 学習の手引き ]
・音読して耳から英語を吸収
・Think in English.
・ネイティブ発音付辞書活用
・英英辞典を活用（英和も）
・翻訳和文で専門用語確認
[ English Newspapers ]
Yomiuri
Mainichi
Asahi
Japan Times
Washington Post
Newyork Times
Bangkok Post
The Nations
Phuket Gazette
[ 英字新聞の英和対訳学習 ]
英字新聞（読売）
英字新聞（毎日）
英字新聞（朝日）
英字新聞（朝日２）
[ スラチャイ編集の辞書 ]
タイ日辞書（改訂版）
日タイ辞書（改訂版）
ラオ日辞書
日ラオ辞書
[ 英字新聞リンク ]
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07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
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09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
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[ 英字新聞リンク ]
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