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The Yomiuri Shimbun February 19, 2014
U.N. inquiry finds systematic state-sponsored crimes by N. Korea
国連人権委報告 認定された北朝鮮「国家犯罪」（2月19日付・読売社説）
The United Nations has issued a stern accusation of state crimes committed by North Korea, including abductions of Japanese nationals. The organization’s condemnation is likely to stoke strong international pressure on North Korea, and it will be important to use this international pressure as leverage to bring a resolution to the abduction issue.
日本人拉致などの北朝鮮の国家犯罪に対する国連の厳しい告発である。北朝鮮には、強い国際的圧力となろう。
その圧力をテコに、拉致問題の解決につなげていくことが肝要だ。
The U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has issued its report on the state of human rights in North Korea.
北朝鮮の人権に関する国連調査委員会が報告書を公表した。
The report acknowledges “systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations” and concludes that these behaviors are “based on state policies.” The report finds that the violations constitute “crimes against humanity,” and the investigation panel recommends that the U.N. Security Council refer the domestic situation in North Korea to the International Criminal Court for action.
報告書は、北朝鮮による「組織的で広範かつ深刻な人権侵害」の存在を認め、「国家政策に基づくもの」と断定した。これらが「人道に対する罪」にあたるとして、国際刑事裁判所に付託するよう国連安全保障理事会に勧告した。
The investigation panel was established by the U.N. Human Rights Council in March last year, the product of a unanimous vote. The panel’s denunciation of state-sponsored crimes by North Korea is of great significance. The international community should not stand as an impassive observer, watching historic and ongoing human rights violations in North Korea.
昨年３月に国連人権理事会が全会一致で設置した専門家による調査委が、北朝鮮の国家ぐるみの犯罪を糾弾した意味は大きい。国際社会は、今なお続く北朝鮮の人権侵害を座視してはならない。
The report is based on a massive quantity of testimonies made by many protected victims, witnesses and government officials in various countries. The document provided the entire picture of human rights violations in the country in a comprehensive manner.
報告書は、多数の被害者や目撃者、各国政府関係者らによる膨大な証言に基づいており、人権侵害の全体像を包括的に立証した。
It details the chilling reality of human rights violations including prison camps, arbitrary detention, torture, public executions, starvation as a policy implement, suppression of freedom and discrimination. The report points out, quite persuasively: “The gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a state that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world.”
強制収容所、恣意(しい)的な拘束や拷問、公開処刑、政策に起因する飢餓、自由の抑圧や差別など人権侵害のおぞましい実態を詳述している。「これほどの人権侵害がまかり通る国は、現代では類を見ない」との指摘には説得力がある。
In particular, the report states unambiguously that abductions of foreign nationals including Japanese “were approved at the level of the Supreme Leader” under the three-generation dynastic regime of “Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un.” Michael Kirby, the inquiry panel’s chair, spoke of the possibility of examining the responsibility of Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, North Korea’s ruling party.
特に、日本人を含む外国人拉致は「金日成―金正日―金正恩」の３代世襲の体制下、「最高指導者の承認」で実行されたと明記した。調査委員長は金正恩第１書記の責任を問う可能性にも言及した。
Seeking end to abduction issue
North Korea provided no cooperation at all to the inquiry panel. It reacted strongly against the report, saying that the country “categorically and totally rejects the report.” However, North Korea cannot expect improved relations with the international community, indispensable to the rebuilding of its economy, unless it reverses the current woeful state of human rights in the country.
北朝鮮は調査委に一切、協力せず、今回の報告書にも「全面的に拒否する」と強く反発した。だが、人権状況を改めない限り、経済再建に不可欠な国際社会との関係改善は望むべくもあるまい。
North Korea must, for example, take very seriously the report’s recommendations calling for the disclosure of complete information on abduction victims and the immediate return of surviving abductees to their home countries.
北朝鮮は、拉致被害者に関するすべての情報提供や、生存者の速やかな帰国などを求めた報告書の勧告を重く受け止めるべきだ。
The report demonstrated that the abduction issue is a problem not only for Japan, but also a matter of grave concern for the international community as a whole. The panel’s findings can also be seen as one fruit of the diplomatic policies of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who proactively engaged in the establishment of the inquiry panel.
報告書は、拉致が日本だけの問題ではなく、国際社会の重大な懸念事項であることを示した。調査委設置に積極的に関わってきた安倍首相の外交成果でもある。
We hope the government will seize the opportunity presented by heightened international concern over North Korea’s human rights situation. It must urge North Korea to resume bilateral talks and do its best to realize the immediate return of all abduction victims, the hand-over of the perpetrators of the abductions and the uncovering of the full truth behind the abductions.
政府は、国際的懸念の高まりを背景に政府間協議の再開を北朝鮮に促し、拉致被害者全員の即時帰国、真相究明、犯人引き渡しの実現に全力を挙げてもらいたい。
There is no end of defectors from North Korea who have been forcibly returned to the country after entering China, and there have been cases in which defectors living in China were abducted by North Korean agents as well.
中国に入国後、強制送還される脱北者も後を絶たない。中国に居住する脱北者を北朝鮮の工作員が拉致する事件も起きている。
As a major power with influence over North Korea, China has a responsibility of its own to cooperate with the international community to improve the human rights situation in North Korea, including helping to resolve the abduction issue.
北朝鮮に影響力を持つ大国として、中国には、拉致問題の解決を含めた北朝鮮の人権状況の改善に協力する責任がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 19, 2014)
（2014年2月19日01時39分 読売新聞）
U.N. inquiry finds systematic state-sponsored crimes by N. Korea
国連人権委報告 認定された北朝鮮「国家犯罪」（2月19日付・読売社説）
The United Nations has issued a stern accusation of state crimes committed by North Korea, including abductions of Japanese nationals. The organization’s condemnation is likely to stoke strong international pressure on North Korea, and it will be important to use this international pressure as leverage to bring a resolution to the abduction issue.
日本人拉致などの北朝鮮の国家犯罪に対する国連の厳しい告発である。北朝鮮には、強い国際的圧力となろう。
その圧力をテコに、拉致問題の解決につなげていくことが肝要だ。
The U.N. Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has issued its report on the state of human rights in North Korea.
北朝鮮の人権に関する国連調査委員会が報告書を公表した。
The report acknowledges “systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations” and concludes that these behaviors are “based on state policies.” The report finds that the violations constitute “crimes against humanity,” and the investigation panel recommends that the U.N. Security Council refer the domestic situation in North Korea to the International Criminal Court for action.
報告書は、北朝鮮による「組織的で広範かつ深刻な人権侵害」の存在を認め、「国家政策に基づくもの」と断定した。これらが「人道に対する罪」にあたるとして、国際刑事裁判所に付託するよう国連安全保障理事会に勧告した。
The investigation panel was established by the U.N. Human Rights Council in March last year, the product of a unanimous vote. The panel’s denunciation of state-sponsored crimes by North Korea is of great significance. The international community should not stand as an impassive observer, watching historic and ongoing human rights violations in North Korea.
昨年３月に国連人権理事会が全会一致で設置した専門家による調査委が、北朝鮮の国家ぐるみの犯罪を糾弾した意味は大きい。国際社会は、今なお続く北朝鮮の人権侵害を座視してはならない。
The report is based on a massive quantity of testimonies made by many protected victims, witnesses and government officials in various countries. The document provided the entire picture of human rights violations in the country in a comprehensive manner.
報告書は、多数の被害者や目撃者、各国政府関係者らによる膨大な証言に基づいており、人権侵害の全体像を包括的に立証した。
It details the chilling reality of human rights violations including prison camps, arbitrary detention, torture, public executions, starvation as a policy implement, suppression of freedom and discrimination. The report points out, quite persuasively: “The gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a state that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world.”
強制収容所、恣意(しい)的な拘束や拷問、公開処刑、政策に起因する飢餓、自由の抑圧や差別など人権侵害のおぞましい実態を詳述している。「これほどの人権侵害がまかり通る国は、現代では類を見ない」との指摘には説得力がある。
In particular, the report states unambiguously that abductions of foreign nationals including Japanese “were approved at the level of the Supreme Leader” under the three-generation dynastic regime of “Kim Il Sung, Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un.” Michael Kirby, the inquiry panel’s chair, spoke of the possibility of examining the responsibility of Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, North Korea’s ruling party.
特に、日本人を含む外国人拉致は「金日成―金正日―金正恩」の３代世襲の体制下、「最高指導者の承認」で実行されたと明記した。調査委員長は金正恩第１書記の責任を問う可能性にも言及した。
Seeking end to abduction issue
North Korea provided no cooperation at all to the inquiry panel. It reacted strongly against the report, saying that the country “categorically and totally rejects the report.” However, North Korea cannot expect improved relations with the international community, indispensable to the rebuilding of its economy, unless it reverses the current woeful state of human rights in the country.
北朝鮮は調査委に一切、協力せず、今回の報告書にも「全面的に拒否する」と強く反発した。だが、人権状況を改めない限り、経済再建に不可欠な国際社会との関係改善は望むべくもあるまい。
North Korea must, for example, take very seriously the report’s recommendations calling for the disclosure of complete information on abduction victims and the immediate return of surviving abductees to their home countries.
北朝鮮は、拉致被害者に関するすべての情報提供や、生存者の速やかな帰国などを求めた報告書の勧告を重く受け止めるべきだ。
The report demonstrated that the abduction issue is a problem not only for Japan, but also a matter of grave concern for the international community as a whole. The panel’s findings can also be seen as one fruit of the diplomatic policies of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who proactively engaged in the establishment of the inquiry panel.
報告書は、拉致が日本だけの問題ではなく、国際社会の重大な懸念事項であることを示した。調査委設置に積極的に関わってきた安倍首相の外交成果でもある。
We hope the government will seize the opportunity presented by heightened international concern over North Korea’s human rights situation. It must urge North Korea to resume bilateral talks and do its best to realize the immediate return of all abduction victims, the hand-over of the perpetrators of the abductions and the uncovering of the full truth behind the abductions.
政府は、国際的懸念の高まりを背景に政府間協議の再開を北朝鮮に促し、拉致被害者全員の即時帰国、真相究明、犯人引き渡しの実現に全力を挙げてもらいたい。
There is no end of defectors from North Korea who have been forcibly returned to the country after entering China, and there have been cases in which defectors living in China were abducted by North Korean agents as well.
中国に入国後、強制送還される脱北者も後を絶たない。中国に居住する脱北者を北朝鮮の工作員が拉致する事件も起きている。
As a major power with influence over North Korea, China has a responsibility of its own to cooperate with the international community to improve the human rights situation in North Korea, including helping to resolve the abduction issue.
北朝鮮に影響力を持つ大国として、中国には、拉致問題の解決を含めた北朝鮮の人権状況の改善に協力する責任がある。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 19, 2014)
（2014年2月19日01時39分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 16, 2014
U.S. Congress takes step forward by shelving showdown over borrowing
米債務上限問題 不毛な対立の棚上げは前進だ（2月16日付・読売社説）
With the turmoil in the U.S. Congress over government finances having been settled at last, the danger of President Barack Obama’s administration plunging into a debt default—the inability to service government bonds—has been averted, at least for the time being.
米国財政を巡る議会の対立が収束し、政府が国債の元利払いができない債務不履行（デフォルト）に陥る事態は当面回避されることになった。
The ruling Democratic Party and the opposition Republican Party have repeatedly clashed over the debt cap issue, and the resolution for now of the thorny problem that has shackled the U.S. political system can be called a step forward. We welcome the congressional agreement.
与党・民主党と野党・共和党は混乱を繰り返してきたが、足かせとなってきた難題をひとまず棚上げできたのは前進である。合意の成立を歓迎したい。
The House of Representatives approved by a majority vote last Tuesday and the Senate approved by a majority vote Wednesday an increase in the federal debt limit, with no conditions attached, on the statutory ceiling on government borrowing through March 15, 2015. The ceiling is currently set at about $17.2 trillion.
議会上下両院は、政府が借金できる限度額を示す法定の債務上限（約１７・２兆ドル）について、来年３月１５日まで無条件で引き上げる法律を賛成多数で可決した。
Congressional approval was made possible by major concessions from the Republican Party at the initiative of senior Republicans, including House Speaker John Boehner, that were in line with the assertions of Obama and his Democratic Party.
オバマ大統領と民主党の主張に沿って、共和党が、ベイナー下院議長ら幹部の主導で大幅譲歩したのがポイントである。
In October last year, a Democrat-Republican standoff prevented the enactment of the federal budget for fiscal 2014, leading to a partial shutdown of government organizations. Government liabilities subsequently reached the maximum allowed, threatening to cause the United States to default on its debts. Republicans came under particularly heavy fire from the public for continuing to take a hard-line attitude.
昨年１０月、民主、共和両党の対立で２０１４会計年度予算が成立せず、政府機関の一部閉鎖に追い込まれた。連邦債務も上限に達し、デフォルト寸前に陥った。特に厳しい批判を浴びたのが、強硬姿勢を続けた共和党だった。
The ruling and opposition parties later agreed to temporarily nullify the debt ceiling up until Feb. 7 this year, but they failed to reach an accord to raise the ceiling in time for the deadline.
与野党はその後、今年２月７日までは債務上限を一時無効とすることで合意したが、期限内に引き上げられなかった。
The congressional impasse came against Republican conservatives’ insistence that any increase in the debt ceiling should be met by spending cuts equivalent to the rise in the limit.
その背景には、共和党の保守派を中心に、債務上限を引き上げる場合には、それに見合う歳出削減を求めるべきだという強硬論が出ていたことがある。
Republicans under fire
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew warned that the government, even if making the best of budgetary handling, would default on its debts as early as toward the end of February. It seems that renewed turmoil over the debt ceiling would likely intensify public criticism against Republicans.
ルー財務長官は財政のやり繰りでしのぐとしても、２月末にもデフォルトに陥ると警告していた。混乱が再燃すれば、共和党に対する国民の批判が一層高まるのは避けられなかったのでないか。
Midterm elections will take place in November. Taking public opinion into account, the Republican Party may have found it advisable to lay down its arms at this stage.
１１月には議会中間選挙がある。共和党は世論を意識し、この段階では矛を収めるのが得策と考えたのだろう。
Toward the end of last year, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to set the budget for policy implementation at $1 trillion each in the coming two fiscal years, thus averting the risk of another government shutdown due to failure to pass budget legislation.
与野党は昨年末、２年間の予算の政策経費をそれぞれ１兆ドルとすることで一致し、予算不成立に伴って政府機関が再び閉鎖されるリスクも回避した。
The settlement of these two issues, which should help stabilize stock and other financial markets, should serve as a tailwind for the U.S. economy, for which signs of recovery have been becoming brighter.
二つの懸案の決着によって株式市場などの不安要因が解消できたことは、景気回復が鮮明になってきた米国経済にも追い風だ。
Arguments of the ruling and opposition parties, however, have remained wide apart over how the government should steer its fiscal policy. There are said to be people in the Republican Party who still criticize Boehner for being “weak-kneed” toward Democrats.
ただし、財政政策を巡る与野党の主張は大きく食い違う。共和党内では、ベイナー議長に「弱腰」と反発する声もくすぶる。
As a result, partisan confrontation may intensify all the more toward the midterm elections and the 2016 presidential election.
このため、中間選挙や１６年の大統領選に向け、むしろ党派対立が一段と激化する可能性がある。
Conservatives in the Republican Party, holding up the goal of “small government,” have remained steadfastly opposed to Obama’s health care programs for the elderly and poor.
「小さな政府」を掲げる共和党保守派では、大統領が推進する医療保険改革（オバマケア）への抵抗が根強い。
We hope to see Democrats and Republicans constructively engaging in policy discussions over a wide range of issues, including measures to the benefit of middle-income families and steps for rectifying economic disparities in the United States.
中間所得層向け施策や経済格差是正策なども含め、建設的な政策論争を期待したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 16, 2014)
（2014年2月16日00時04分 読売新聞）
U.S. Congress takes step forward by shelving showdown over borrowing
米債務上限問題 不毛な対立の棚上げは前進だ（2月16日付・読売社説）
With the turmoil in the U.S. Congress over government finances having been settled at last, the danger of President Barack Obama’s administration plunging into a debt default—the inability to service government bonds—has been averted, at least for the time being.
米国財政を巡る議会の対立が収束し、政府が国債の元利払いができない債務不履行（デフォルト）に陥る事態は当面回避されることになった。
The ruling Democratic Party and the opposition Republican Party have repeatedly clashed over the debt cap issue, and the resolution for now of the thorny problem that has shackled the U.S. political system can be called a step forward. We welcome the congressional agreement.
与党・民主党と野党・共和党は混乱を繰り返してきたが、足かせとなってきた難題をひとまず棚上げできたのは前進である。合意の成立を歓迎したい。
The House of Representatives approved by a majority vote last Tuesday and the Senate approved by a majority vote Wednesday an increase in the federal debt limit, with no conditions attached, on the statutory ceiling on government borrowing through March 15, 2015. The ceiling is currently set at about $17.2 trillion.
議会上下両院は、政府が借金できる限度額を示す法定の債務上限（約１７・２兆ドル）について、来年３月１５日まで無条件で引き上げる法律を賛成多数で可決した。
Congressional approval was made possible by major concessions from the Republican Party at the initiative of senior Republicans, including House Speaker John Boehner, that were in line with the assertions of Obama and his Democratic Party.
オバマ大統領と民主党の主張に沿って、共和党が、ベイナー下院議長ら幹部の主導で大幅譲歩したのがポイントである。
In October last year, a Democrat-Republican standoff prevented the enactment of the federal budget for fiscal 2014, leading to a partial shutdown of government organizations. Government liabilities subsequently reached the maximum allowed, threatening to cause the United States to default on its debts. Republicans came under particularly heavy fire from the public for continuing to take a hard-line attitude.
昨年１０月、民主、共和両党の対立で２０１４会計年度予算が成立せず、政府機関の一部閉鎖に追い込まれた。連邦債務も上限に達し、デフォルト寸前に陥った。特に厳しい批判を浴びたのが、強硬姿勢を続けた共和党だった。
The ruling and opposition parties later agreed to temporarily nullify the debt ceiling up until Feb. 7 this year, but they failed to reach an accord to raise the ceiling in time for the deadline.
与野党はその後、今年２月７日までは債務上限を一時無効とすることで合意したが、期限内に引き上げられなかった。
The congressional impasse came against Republican conservatives’ insistence that any increase in the debt ceiling should be met by spending cuts equivalent to the rise in the limit.
その背景には、共和党の保守派を中心に、債務上限を引き上げる場合には、それに見合う歳出削減を求めるべきだという強硬論が出ていたことがある。
Republicans under fire
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew warned that the government, even if making the best of budgetary handling, would default on its debts as early as toward the end of February. It seems that renewed turmoil over the debt ceiling would likely intensify public criticism against Republicans.
ルー財務長官は財政のやり繰りでしのぐとしても、２月末にもデフォルトに陥ると警告していた。混乱が再燃すれば、共和党に対する国民の批判が一層高まるのは避けられなかったのでないか。
Midterm elections will take place in November. Taking public opinion into account, the Republican Party may have found it advisable to lay down its arms at this stage.
１１月には議会中間選挙がある。共和党は世論を意識し、この段階では矛を収めるのが得策と考えたのだろう。
Toward the end of last year, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to set the budget for policy implementation at $1 trillion each in the coming two fiscal years, thus averting the risk of another government shutdown due to failure to pass budget legislation.
与野党は昨年末、２年間の予算の政策経費をそれぞれ１兆ドルとすることで一致し、予算不成立に伴って政府機関が再び閉鎖されるリスクも回避した。
The settlement of these two issues, which should help stabilize stock and other financial markets, should serve as a tailwind for the U.S. economy, for which signs of recovery have been becoming brighter.
二つの懸案の決着によって株式市場などの不安要因が解消できたことは、景気回復が鮮明になってきた米国経済にも追い風だ。
Arguments of the ruling and opposition parties, however, have remained wide apart over how the government should steer its fiscal policy. There are said to be people in the Republican Party who still criticize Boehner for being “weak-kneed” toward Democrats.
ただし、財政政策を巡る与野党の主張は大きく食い違う。共和党内では、ベイナー議長に「弱腰」と反発する声もくすぶる。
As a result, partisan confrontation may intensify all the more toward the midterm elections and the 2016 presidential election.
このため、中間選挙や１６年の大統領選に向け、むしろ党派対立が一段と激化する可能性がある。
Conservatives in the Republican Party, holding up the goal of “small government,” have remained steadfastly opposed to Obama’s health care programs for the elderly and poor.
「小さな政府」を掲げる共和党保守派では、大統領が推進する医療保険改革（オバマケア）への抵抗が根強い。
We hope to see Democrats and Republicans constructively engaging in policy discussions over a wide range of issues, including measures to the benefit of middle-income families and steps for rectifying economic disparities in the United States.
中間所得層向け施策や経済格差是正策なども含め、建設的な政策論争を期待したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 16, 2014)
（2014年2月16日00時04分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 17, 2014
Irresponsible practices of insurance firms must be thoroughly addressed
保険金不払い 顧客軽視の悪弊を断ち切れ（2月17日付・読売社説）
It is a problem if practices of making light of customers still remain in corporate culture in a leading nonlife insurer.
顧客軽視の企業体質が根強く残っているとすれば問題である。
It came to light recently that Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. had failed to partially pay out automobile insurance benefits that policyholders were entitled to over a period of more than 10 years.
損害保険大手の東京海上日動火災保険が、自動車保険の保険金の一部を契約者に支払わず、１０年以上も放置していたことが判明した。
The unpaid cases concerned special benefits in auto insurance to cover extra costs, such as consolatory money to be paid to victims injured in accidents or otherwise. According to the insurer, there may be more than 100,000 special benefit policies left unpaid.
不払いが見つかったのは、交通事故でけがをさせた相手への見舞金などを補償する特約で、１０万件を超える可能性もあるという。
Through an inspection of the life and nonlife insurance sectors led by the Financial Services Agency in 2005, nonpayment cases were discovered on an alarmingly large scale. The agency imposed a series of administrative punishments, resulting in a wave of corporate manager resignations.
生命保険と損害保険では、２００５年の金融庁検査で大規模な不払いが発覚し、行政処分や経営トップの辞任が相次いだ。
With costly lessons learned, the insurance companies involved have taken measures to prevent a recurrence of nonpayments in the future.
これを教訓に、保険各社は再発防止策を講じ、新たな不払いは起きにくくなっている。
However, it is a problem that Tokio Marine has decided to exclude the special benefits contracts when the company conducted internal inspections in 2005 and 2006.
問題なのは、東京海上日動が０５～０６年に行った社内調査の対象から、これらの特約を除外していたことである。
Claiming that the company had applied the corporate rules of paying out the special benefits only if claims were made, Tokio Marine has still insisted that the company’s previous actions did not constitute nonpayment. However, this argument suggests that the company places the logic within its own circles rather than interests of its customers.
当時は請求があった分だけに保険金を支払う社内ルールを適用していたとして、今も「不払いにあたらない」との説明を繰り返している。顧客の利益より、内輪の論理を優先した解釈と言えよう。
Some policyholders unfamiliar with insurance contracts failed to claim special benefits, which are in themselves quite diverse.
保険に詳しくない契約者が、多種多様な特約の請求を忘れることもあろう。
Insurers must explain
Responsibility lies with an insurance company to clearly explain the contract to policyholders, ensuring they do not fail to make their claims when they are most likely to be in a state of confusion after being involved in an accident.
突然の事故に動揺する契約者に丁寧に説明し、請求漏れを防ぐことは、保険会社本来のサービスである。
Tokio Marine said the company changed its policy in July 2003 so that it would pay insurance benefits even if claims are not made. But the company failed to brief policyholders with the change in rules, at a time when they should have solved the nonpayment cases retrospectively.
東京海上日動は０３年７月、請求がなくても保険金を支払うよう対応を変えたという。この時にルールの変更を対外的に説明し、過去の契約にさかのぼって不払いの解消を図るべきだった。
At a press conference, Tsuyoshi Nagano, president of Tokio Marine, said, “We did all we could at the time,” justifying the company’s actions in the past. It is not surprising that the policyholders who were unable to claim their insurance benefits may be left unconvinced with such an explanation.
東京海上日動の永野毅社長は記者会見で「当時としては最善を尽くした」などと述べ、過去の対応を正当化した。この説明では保険金を受け取れなかった契約者は、納得がいかないのではないか。
Many of them are just as skeptical about the stance of the Financial Services Agency, which considers the insurer’s actions as “not being a problem.”
金融庁が当時の対応を「問題なし」としている点も、不可解に感じる人は多いだろう。
Consumers may grow more distrustful of insurers that, while they have people sign insurance contracts by capitalizing on various kinds of special benefits, are unwilling to pay insurance benefits when accidents occur. To prevent such feelings, expectations are rising for Tokio Marine to explain itself and sincerely respond to policyholders.
盛りだくさんの特約を売り物に契約させておいて、事故が起きると保険金を出し渋る――。そんな消費者の保険不信が高まらないよう、東京海上日動には、誠意のある説明と対応を求めたい。
Nagano has said that the company will flexibly deal with benefit payouts if claims are made from now on. But uncertainty hangs in the air because the company stores relevant data for nine years, meaning most of the data related to the unpaid special benefits have already been destroyed.
永野社長はこれから請求があれば支払いに柔軟に応じる方針を示したが、実効性は不透明である。東京海上日動のデータ保管期間は９年で、当時の記録の大半が破棄されてしまったからだ。
Tokio Marine should do all in its power to remedy the situation by consolidating what details can be gleaned from memory of its employees and examining any remaining copies of relevant documents with great care.
社員の記憶や書類のコピーなどを丹念に調べ、適正な支払いに全力を挙げねばならない。
Other nonlife insurance companies would do well to heed Tokio Marine’s case not just as “someone else’s misfortune” but as a wake-up call to look out for and address any outstanding nonpayment cases.
他の損保各社も「対岸の火事」とせず、類似の不払いがないか、念入りに点検してほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 17, 2014)
（2014年2月17日00時04分 読売新聞）
Irresponsible practices of insurance firms must be thoroughly addressed
保険金不払い 顧客軽視の悪弊を断ち切れ（2月17日付・読売社説）
It is a problem if practices of making light of customers still remain in corporate culture in a leading nonlife insurer.
顧客軽視の企業体質が根強く残っているとすれば問題である。
It came to light recently that Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. had failed to partially pay out automobile insurance benefits that policyholders were entitled to over a period of more than 10 years.
損害保険大手の東京海上日動火災保険が、自動車保険の保険金の一部を契約者に支払わず、１０年以上も放置していたことが判明した。
The unpaid cases concerned special benefits in auto insurance to cover extra costs, such as consolatory money to be paid to victims injured in accidents or otherwise. According to the insurer, there may be more than 100,000 special benefit policies left unpaid.
不払いが見つかったのは、交通事故でけがをさせた相手への見舞金などを補償する特約で、１０万件を超える可能性もあるという。
Through an inspection of the life and nonlife insurance sectors led by the Financial Services Agency in 2005, nonpayment cases were discovered on an alarmingly large scale. The agency imposed a series of administrative punishments, resulting in a wave of corporate manager resignations.
生命保険と損害保険では、２００５年の金融庁検査で大規模な不払いが発覚し、行政処分や経営トップの辞任が相次いだ。
With costly lessons learned, the insurance companies involved have taken measures to prevent a recurrence of nonpayments in the future.
これを教訓に、保険各社は再発防止策を講じ、新たな不払いは起きにくくなっている。
However, it is a problem that Tokio Marine has decided to exclude the special benefits contracts when the company conducted internal inspections in 2005 and 2006.
問題なのは、東京海上日動が０５～０６年に行った社内調査の対象から、これらの特約を除外していたことである。
Claiming that the company had applied the corporate rules of paying out the special benefits only if claims were made, Tokio Marine has still insisted that the company’s previous actions did not constitute nonpayment. However, this argument suggests that the company places the logic within its own circles rather than interests of its customers.
当時は請求があった分だけに保険金を支払う社内ルールを適用していたとして、今も「不払いにあたらない」との説明を繰り返している。顧客の利益より、内輪の論理を優先した解釈と言えよう。
Some policyholders unfamiliar with insurance contracts failed to claim special benefits, which are in themselves quite diverse.
保険に詳しくない契約者が、多種多様な特約の請求を忘れることもあろう。
Insurers must explain
Responsibility lies with an insurance company to clearly explain the contract to policyholders, ensuring they do not fail to make their claims when they are most likely to be in a state of confusion after being involved in an accident.
突然の事故に動揺する契約者に丁寧に説明し、請求漏れを防ぐことは、保険会社本来のサービスである。
Tokio Marine said the company changed its policy in July 2003 so that it would pay insurance benefits even if claims are not made. But the company failed to brief policyholders with the change in rules, at a time when they should have solved the nonpayment cases retrospectively.
東京海上日動は０３年７月、請求がなくても保険金を支払うよう対応を変えたという。この時にルールの変更を対外的に説明し、過去の契約にさかのぼって不払いの解消を図るべきだった。
At a press conference, Tsuyoshi Nagano, president of Tokio Marine, said, “We did all we could at the time,” justifying the company’s actions in the past. It is not surprising that the policyholders who were unable to claim their insurance benefits may be left unconvinced with such an explanation.
東京海上日動の永野毅社長は記者会見で「当時としては最善を尽くした」などと述べ、過去の対応を正当化した。この説明では保険金を受け取れなかった契約者は、納得がいかないのではないか。
Many of them are just as skeptical about the stance of the Financial Services Agency, which considers the insurer’s actions as “not being a problem.”
金融庁が当時の対応を「問題なし」としている点も、不可解に感じる人は多いだろう。
Consumers may grow more distrustful of insurers that, while they have people sign insurance contracts by capitalizing on various kinds of special benefits, are unwilling to pay insurance benefits when accidents occur. To prevent such feelings, expectations are rising for Tokio Marine to explain itself and sincerely respond to policyholders.
盛りだくさんの特約を売り物に契約させておいて、事故が起きると保険金を出し渋る――。そんな消費者の保険不信が高まらないよう、東京海上日動には、誠意のある説明と対応を求めたい。
Nagano has said that the company will flexibly deal with benefit payouts if claims are made from now on. But uncertainty hangs in the air because the company stores relevant data for nine years, meaning most of the data related to the unpaid special benefits have already been destroyed.
永野社長はこれから請求があれば支払いに柔軟に応じる方針を示したが、実効性は不透明である。東京海上日動のデータ保管期間は９年で、当時の記録の大半が破棄されてしまったからだ。
Tokio Marine should do all in its power to remedy the situation by consolidating what details can be gleaned from memory of its employees and examining any remaining copies of relevant documents with great care.
社員の記憶や書類のコピーなどを丹念に調べ、適正な支払いに全力を挙げねばならない。
Other nonlife insurance companies would do well to heed Tokio Marine’s case not just as “someone else’s misfortune” but as a wake-up call to look out for and address any outstanding nonpayment cases.
他の損保各社も「対岸の火事」とせず、類似の不払いがないか、念入りに点検してほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 17, 2014)
（2014年2月17日00時04分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 15, 2014
JCG collision lawsuit is logical response to China’s actions over Senkakus
中国漁船長提訴 尖閣の主権を内外に明示した（2月15日付・読売社説）
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made a logical response to China over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
安倍政権が、尖閣諸島を巡る中国への対応について、筋を通したということだろう。
The Japan Coast Guard has filed a lawsuit with the Naha District Court against the captain of a Chinese fishing boat that was operating in Japan’s territorial waters off the Senkakus when he intentionally rammed JCG patrol boats in defiance of a JCG order to stop in September 2010.
中国漁船が２０１０年９月、尖閣諸島沖の領海内で操業し、海上保安庁の停船命令を無視して巡視船に体当たりした事件で、海保は漁船の船長を相手取り、損害賠償を求める訴訟を那覇地裁に起こした。
The government has repeatedly asked the Chinese side to cover the cost of repairing the JCG boats, but to no avail. It decided to file the lawsuit because the statute of limitations on damages will expire soon.
政府は、巡視船の修繕費などの支払いを再三求めてきたが、中国側は応じなかった。このままでは法に基づく賠償請求の時効を迎えるため、提訴に踏み切った。
It is natural for the government to seek a judicial judgment based on domestic laws regarding an illegal act committed in Japan’s territorial waters.
領海で起きた違法行為について、日本の国内法に基づき司法判断を求めるのは当然である。
It is also hugely significant that the lawsuit once again underscores Japan’s sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands.
尖閣諸島に日本の主権が及んでいることを、改めて明確にする意義も大きい。
When the incident occurred, the administration of then Prime Minister Naoto Kan was subjected to outrageous protests from China. The Naha District Public Prosecutors Office released the arrested captain of the fishing boat—a difficult decision the Democratic Party of Japan administration was forced to make following a series of events, including the detention of Japanese citizens by Chinese authorities in an apparent tit-for-tat.
事件当時の菅政権は中国の理不尽な抗議を受けた。那覇地検は、逮捕した船長を釈放した。事実上の報復措置とみられる中国当局による邦人拘束もあり、民主党政権は難しい判断を迫られた。
But the government’s excessively conciliatory stance weakened Japan’s assertions of sovereignty, leading China to trumpet its irrelevant claims. This is a lesson Japan should heed.
しかし、行き過ぎた融和姿勢は日本の主張を弱め、中国が筋違いの言い分を喧伝(けんでん)することにもつながった。教訓とすべきだ。
Since the ramming, China has been escalating its attempts to change the status quo regarding the Senkakus by force. The Abe administration must convey Japan’s assertions abroad to disseminate them widely in the international community. Maritime surveillance activities around the Senkaku Islands should not be neglected.
漁船衝突事件後も、尖閣諸島を巡って、中国の力による現状変更の試みは勢いを増している。安倍政権は今後も日本の主張を国際社会に発信し、浸透させていく必要がある。尖閣周辺の警戒監視活動も、怠ってはならない。
Video to back claim
“In filing the suit, we will submit video records to prove that the government’s claim is justified,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has said, indicating that the JCG will make the video available to the general public upon request.
菅官房長官は「提訴にあたって、政府の主張の正しさを立証するための映像記録を提出する」と述べた。海保で、求めがあれば映像を一般にも公開するという。
The video has been widely viewed after a JCG officer posted it on the video-sharing site YouTube and other developments.
映像は元海上保安官が、動画投稿サイト「ユーチューブ」に流出させたことなどから、今では広く知れ渡っている。
But officially releasing the video to the public is intended to demonstrate to people both at home and abroad how just the Japanese government’s legal action is.
だが、映像公開は、日本政府の取った措置の正当性を内外にアピールする狙いがある。
Viewing the video will make it clear that the Chinese captain was at fault for intentionally ramming the JCG boats.
映像を見れば、強引に船を衝突させた船長に非があるのは明らかだ。
Furthermore, the latest release of the video is apparently aimed at underscoring the significance of the law on protecting specially designated state secrets enacted last year.
今回の映像公開には、昨年成立した特定秘密保護法の意義を示す狙いもあるようだ。
The Kan administration deemed the leak of the video by the JCG official unpardonable, which prompted it to consider establishing a legal system to protect state secrets. However, Abe has said that the video showing the ramming should not be categorized as a specially designated secret.
菅政権は、保安官の映像漏えいを許し難い行為とし、これを契機に秘密保護法制を検討した経緯がある。
Instead, as he has emphasized, the enactment of the law will prevent administrations from arbitrarily concealing information as they see fit.
安倍首相は、衝突時の映像は特定秘密に当たらないと指摘し、秘密保護法の制定により、むしろ、政権の都合で情報が隠蔽されることはなくなると強調してきた。
The government is expected to appropriately distinguish between classified information connected to state security and information that does not cause harm when released to the public.
安全保障にかかわる機密情報と、公開しても支障のない情報をいかに峻別(しゅんべつ)するか、政府には適切な判断が求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 15, 2014)
（2014年2月15日00時13分 読売新聞）
JCG collision lawsuit is logical response to China’s actions over Senkakus
中国漁船長提訴 尖閣の主権を内外に明示した（2月15日付・読売社説）
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made a logical response to China over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
安倍政権が、尖閣諸島を巡る中国への対応について、筋を通したということだろう。
The Japan Coast Guard has filed a lawsuit with the Naha District Court against the captain of a Chinese fishing boat that was operating in Japan’s territorial waters off the Senkakus when he intentionally rammed JCG patrol boats in defiance of a JCG order to stop in September 2010.
中国漁船が２０１０年９月、尖閣諸島沖の領海内で操業し、海上保安庁の停船命令を無視して巡視船に体当たりした事件で、海保は漁船の船長を相手取り、損害賠償を求める訴訟を那覇地裁に起こした。
The government has repeatedly asked the Chinese side to cover the cost of repairing the JCG boats, but to no avail. It decided to file the lawsuit because the statute of limitations on damages will expire soon.
政府は、巡視船の修繕費などの支払いを再三求めてきたが、中国側は応じなかった。このままでは法に基づく賠償請求の時効を迎えるため、提訴に踏み切った。
It is natural for the government to seek a judicial judgment based on domestic laws regarding an illegal act committed in Japan’s territorial waters.
領海で起きた違法行為について、日本の国内法に基づき司法判断を求めるのは当然である。
It is also hugely significant that the lawsuit once again underscores Japan’s sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands.
尖閣諸島に日本の主権が及んでいることを、改めて明確にする意義も大きい。
When the incident occurred, the administration of then Prime Minister Naoto Kan was subjected to outrageous protests from China. The Naha District Public Prosecutors Office released the arrested captain of the fishing boat—a difficult decision the Democratic Party of Japan administration was forced to make following a series of events, including the detention of Japanese citizens by Chinese authorities in an apparent tit-for-tat.
事件当時の菅政権は中国の理不尽な抗議を受けた。那覇地検は、逮捕した船長を釈放した。事実上の報復措置とみられる中国当局による邦人拘束もあり、民主党政権は難しい判断を迫られた。
But the government’s excessively conciliatory stance weakened Japan’s assertions of sovereignty, leading China to trumpet its irrelevant claims. This is a lesson Japan should heed.
しかし、行き過ぎた融和姿勢は日本の主張を弱め、中国が筋違いの言い分を喧伝(けんでん)することにもつながった。教訓とすべきだ。
Since the ramming, China has been escalating its attempts to change the status quo regarding the Senkakus by force. The Abe administration must convey Japan’s assertions abroad to disseminate them widely in the international community. Maritime surveillance activities around the Senkaku Islands should not be neglected.
漁船衝突事件後も、尖閣諸島を巡って、中国の力による現状変更の試みは勢いを増している。安倍政権は今後も日本の主張を国際社会に発信し、浸透させていく必要がある。尖閣周辺の警戒監視活動も、怠ってはならない。
Video to back claim
“In filing the suit, we will submit video records to prove that the government’s claim is justified,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has said, indicating that the JCG will make the video available to the general public upon request.
菅官房長官は「提訴にあたって、政府の主張の正しさを立証するための映像記録を提出する」と述べた。海保で、求めがあれば映像を一般にも公開するという。
The video has been widely viewed after a JCG officer posted it on the video-sharing site YouTube and other developments.
映像は元海上保安官が、動画投稿サイト「ユーチューブ」に流出させたことなどから、今では広く知れ渡っている。
But officially releasing the video to the public is intended to demonstrate to people both at home and abroad how just the Japanese government’s legal action is.
だが、映像公開は、日本政府の取った措置の正当性を内外にアピールする狙いがある。
Viewing the video will make it clear that the Chinese captain was at fault for intentionally ramming the JCG boats.
映像を見れば、強引に船を衝突させた船長に非があるのは明らかだ。
Furthermore, the latest release of the video is apparently aimed at underscoring the significance of the law on protecting specially designated state secrets enacted last year.
今回の映像公開には、昨年成立した特定秘密保護法の意義を示す狙いもあるようだ。
The Kan administration deemed the leak of the video by the JCG official unpardonable, which prompted it to consider establishing a legal system to protect state secrets. However, Abe has said that the video showing the ramming should not be categorized as a specially designated secret.
菅政権は、保安官の映像漏えいを許し難い行為とし、これを契機に秘密保護法制を検討した経緯がある。
Instead, as he has emphasized, the enactment of the law will prevent administrations from arbitrarily concealing information as they see fit.
安倍首相は、衝突時の映像は特定秘密に当たらないと指摘し、秘密保護法の制定により、むしろ、政権の都合で情報が隠蔽されることはなくなると強調してきた。
The government is expected to appropriately distinguish between classified information connected to state security and information that does not cause harm when released to the public.
安全保障にかかわる機密情報と、公開しても支障のない情報をいかに峻別(しゅんべつ)するか、政府には適切な判断が求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 15, 2014)
（2014年2月15日00時13分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 14, 2014
Beijing-Taipei ties mark historic advance, but much remains uncertain
中台閣僚級会談 歴史的な一歩にはなったが（2月14日付・読売社説）
Relations between China and Taiwan have entered a new chapter with the recent commencement of direct government-to-government dialogue.
中国と台湾の関係は、当局同士が直接交流する新たな段階に入った。
We should keep a close eye on whether this latest development will boost stability in East Asia by helping ease tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
これが、台湾海峡の緊張緩和を促し、東アジアの安定に寄与するのかを注視したい。
The chiefs of the highest-level governmental offices in charge of cross-strait affairs—Zhang Zhijun, director of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, and Wang Yu-chi, head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council—met in Nanjing on Tuesday and agreed to establish a permanent channel of communication between the two sides.
中台関係の主管官庁トップである、中国の張志軍・国務院台湾事務弁公室主任と、台湾の王郁●・大陸委員会主任委員が、南京で会談し、恒常的な相互連絡ルートを設けることで合意した。（●は王ヘンに奇）
This is the first time a ministerial-level meeting between officials tasked with policies on China-Taiwan affairs has taken place since the 1949 split.
１９４９年の中台分断後、中台政策担当の閣僚級会談が行われたのは初めてだ。
There has so far been no framework for dialogue between the Chinese and Taiwan authorities, with Beijing and Taipei refusing to acknowledge the other’s sovereignty. Talks on such subjects as bilateral economic cooperation have been conducted via “quasi-official” organizations on both sides.
互いに相手の主権を認めていない中台間には、これまで当局同士の対話の枠組みはなく、経済協力などの話し合いは、「民間」の窓口機関を通じて行われてきた。
From now, various forms of direct cross-strait interchanges between the Chinese and Taiwan authorities will be considered, including exchanging permanent representative offices.
今後、当局間では、出先事務所の相互設置をはじめ、様々な形の直接交流が模索される。
It seems, however, there are major differences in the Chinese and Taiwan governments’ intentions in bringing about the historic ministerial-level talks.
ただ、歴史的な閣僚級会談を実現させた中台首脳の思惑には大きな食い違いがあると見てよい。
President Ma Ying-jeou may primarily seek to gain China’s agreement to ease its trade regulations so as to expand Taiwan’s business opportunities in China, while pushing for China to acknowledge Taiwan’s status as a party to international economic agreements.
台湾の馬英九総統の狙いは、対中ビジネス拡大につながる規制緩和を中国当局から引き出したり、国際的な経済協定の当事者としての地位を中国に認めさせたりすることだろう。
Can Xi-Ma talks take place?
Ma may have placed his hopes on restoring his popular support by realizing such outcomes. With unified local elections scheduled for toward the end of the year, the Ma administration’s popularity ratings have been painfully low due to reasons including the slowdown in Taiwan’s economic growth, widening economic disparities, corruption scandals involving Ma’s close aides and internal strife in his governing Nationalist Party (Kuomintang).
そうした成果を上げられれば、支持回復につながるとの読みがあるのではないか。年末の統一地方選を控えて、経済成長の鈍化や所得格差、側近の汚職、与党・国民党の内紛などにより、馬政権の支持率は低迷したままである。
Chinese President Xi Jinping, in contrast, must have certainly considered the cross-strait talks as a launching point for political consultations for China-Taiwan unification.
これに対して、中国の習近平国家主席は、今回の会談を中台統一に向けた政治協議への足がかりとみなしているに違いない。
However, Taiwan is wary of having political consultations with China, as a great majority of Taiwan’s residents support the status quo and reject the idea of unification with China.
だが、台湾側は政治協議には消極的だ。台湾住民の大多数は、現状維持を望んでおり、中国との統一は拒んでいる。
The current focus of attention is on whether a meeting between Ma and Xi can be held at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit meeting scheduled for this coming autumn in Beijing.
当面の焦点は、北京で今秋開かれるアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議の際に、馬氏と習氏による会談が実現するかどうかだ。
Wheeling and dealing will continue between Taiwan, which places priority on gaining practical benefits, and China, which sees a direct cross-strait channel of communication as a foothold for political consultations for unification.
実益重視の台湾と、統一協議につなげたい中国との駆け引きが続くことになろう。
In spite of the creation of full-scale interchanges between Chinese and Taiwan authorities, there has been no change at all in the basic security situation surrounding Taiwan. China has not given up its long-standing option of eventually taking back Taiwan, by force if necessary. Taiwan, for its part, is dependent on the backing by the United States for such matters as purchasing weapons.
中台当局間の交流が本格化しても、台湾周辺の安全保障の構図には、依然変化がない。中国は武力統一の選択肢を放棄していない。台湾は、武器購入などで米国からの支援に依存している。
For Japan, Taiwan is most certainly an important neighbor for restraining China’s acts of hegemony in such areas as the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands.
日本にとって、台湾は、尖閣諸島周辺を含む東シナ海などでの中国の覇権的行動をけん制する上でも重要な隣人である。
While watching closely what impact closer China-Taiwan ties will have on the future of the regional situation, Japan should make efforts to further boost its friendly relations with Taiwan.
中台接近が地域情勢に及ぼす影響を見極めながら、台湾との関係を密にしていくべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 14, 2014)
（2014年2月14日01時44分 読売新聞）
Beijing-Taipei ties mark historic advance, but much remains uncertain
中台閣僚級会談 歴史的な一歩にはなったが（2月14日付・読売社説）
Relations between China and Taiwan have entered a new chapter with the recent commencement of direct government-to-government dialogue.
中国と台湾の関係は、当局同士が直接交流する新たな段階に入った。
We should keep a close eye on whether this latest development will boost stability in East Asia by helping ease tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
これが、台湾海峡の緊張緩和を促し、東アジアの安定に寄与するのかを注視したい。
The chiefs of the highest-level governmental offices in charge of cross-strait affairs—Zhang Zhijun, director of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, and Wang Yu-chi, head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council—met in Nanjing on Tuesday and agreed to establish a permanent channel of communication between the two sides.
中台関係の主管官庁トップである、中国の張志軍・国務院台湾事務弁公室主任と、台湾の王郁●・大陸委員会主任委員が、南京で会談し、恒常的な相互連絡ルートを設けることで合意した。（●は王ヘンに奇）
This is the first time a ministerial-level meeting between officials tasked with policies on China-Taiwan affairs has taken place since the 1949 split.
１９４９年の中台分断後、中台政策担当の閣僚級会談が行われたのは初めてだ。
There has so far been no framework for dialogue between the Chinese and Taiwan authorities, with Beijing and Taipei refusing to acknowledge the other’s sovereignty. Talks on such subjects as bilateral economic cooperation have been conducted via “quasi-official” organizations on both sides.
互いに相手の主権を認めていない中台間には、これまで当局同士の対話の枠組みはなく、経済協力などの話し合いは、「民間」の窓口機関を通じて行われてきた。
From now, various forms of direct cross-strait interchanges between the Chinese and Taiwan authorities will be considered, including exchanging permanent representative offices.
今後、当局間では、出先事務所の相互設置をはじめ、様々な形の直接交流が模索される。
It seems, however, there are major differences in the Chinese and Taiwan governments’ intentions in bringing about the historic ministerial-level talks.
ただ、歴史的な閣僚級会談を実現させた中台首脳の思惑には大きな食い違いがあると見てよい。
President Ma Ying-jeou may primarily seek to gain China’s agreement to ease its trade regulations so as to expand Taiwan’s business opportunities in China, while pushing for China to acknowledge Taiwan’s status as a party to international economic agreements.
台湾の馬英九総統の狙いは、対中ビジネス拡大につながる規制緩和を中国当局から引き出したり、国際的な経済協定の当事者としての地位を中国に認めさせたりすることだろう。
Can Xi-Ma talks take place?
Ma may have placed his hopes on restoring his popular support by realizing such outcomes. With unified local elections scheduled for toward the end of the year, the Ma administration’s popularity ratings have been painfully low due to reasons including the slowdown in Taiwan’s economic growth, widening economic disparities, corruption scandals involving Ma’s close aides and internal strife in his governing Nationalist Party (Kuomintang).
そうした成果を上げられれば、支持回復につながるとの読みがあるのではないか。年末の統一地方選を控えて、経済成長の鈍化や所得格差、側近の汚職、与党・国民党の内紛などにより、馬政権の支持率は低迷したままである。
Chinese President Xi Jinping, in contrast, must have certainly considered the cross-strait talks as a launching point for political consultations for China-Taiwan unification.
これに対して、中国の習近平国家主席は、今回の会談を中台統一に向けた政治協議への足がかりとみなしているに違いない。
However, Taiwan is wary of having political consultations with China, as a great majority of Taiwan’s residents support the status quo and reject the idea of unification with China.
だが、台湾側は政治協議には消極的だ。台湾住民の大多数は、現状維持を望んでおり、中国との統一は拒んでいる。
The current focus of attention is on whether a meeting between Ma and Xi can be held at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit meeting scheduled for this coming autumn in Beijing.
当面の焦点は、北京で今秋開かれるアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議の際に、馬氏と習氏による会談が実現するかどうかだ。
Wheeling and dealing will continue between Taiwan, which places priority on gaining practical benefits, and China, which sees a direct cross-strait channel of communication as a foothold for political consultations for unification.
実益重視の台湾と、統一協議につなげたい中国との駆け引きが続くことになろう。
In spite of the creation of full-scale interchanges between Chinese and Taiwan authorities, there has been no change at all in the basic security situation surrounding Taiwan. China has not given up its long-standing option of eventually taking back Taiwan, by force if necessary. Taiwan, for its part, is dependent on the backing by the United States for such matters as purchasing weapons.
中台当局間の交流が本格化しても、台湾周辺の安全保障の構図には、依然変化がない。中国は武力統一の選択肢を放棄していない。台湾は、武器購入などで米国からの支援に依存している。
For Japan, Taiwan is most certainly an important neighbor for restraining China’s acts of hegemony in such areas as the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands.
日本にとって、台湾は、尖閣諸島周辺を含む東シナ海などでの中国の覇権的行動をけん制する上でも重要な隣人である。
While watching closely what impact closer China-Taiwan ties will have on the future of the regional situation, Japan should make efforts to further boost its friendly relations with Taiwan.
中台接近が地域情勢に及ぼす影響を見極めながら、台湾との関係を密にしていくべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 14, 2014)
（2014年2月14日01時44分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 13, 2014
Steer patients toward home-based care through revision of medical fees list
診療報酬改定 「病院依存」から転換できるか（2月13日付・読売社説）
Will the latest proposal from a key health ministry panel trigger a retreat from excessive reliance on hospital-based treatment and attach greater importance to home health-care services?
病院偏重の医療から、在宅ケア重視に転換する契機となるだろうか。
On Wednesday, the Central Social Insurance Medical Council adopted a set of recommendations for revising the list of medical treatment fees. These medical service payments constitute a portion of the income earned by medical institutions.
医療機関の収入となる診療報酬の改定内容が、中央社会保険医療協議会（中医協）で決まった。
The advisory panel’s proposal calls for tightening requirements for medical care involving the use of beds designated as equipment for patients in the acute stage, a practice that can incur higher bills for seriously ill patients. Meanwhile, the proposal would pay higher fees for services involving beds that are used to place greater emphasis on rehabilitation so patients can leave the hospital at an early date.
重症者を受け入れる急性期病床の要件を厳しくする一方で、早期退院のためにリハビリを重点的に行う病床の報酬を手厚くする。
The average number of days spent in hospitals by patients in this country is greater than in the United States and Europe. This has contributed to an enormous increase in national medical care expenditures.
日本の病院は、患者の平均入院日数が欧米に比べて長い。それが医療費の膨張も招いている。
The graying of Japanese society is expected to accelerate. A number of older people suffer from chronic diseases that can be managed with home-based treatment. In light of this situation, it was a sound decision for the advisory panel to call for a reduction in the number of beds for acute stage treatments and for efforts to encourage patients to leave the hospital at an early date.
高齢化はさらに加速する。高齢者の多くが、在宅医療で対応できる慢性病を患っている現状を考えれば、急性期病床を減らし、早期退院を促す狙いは理解できる。
The question is how to move forward in consolidating hospital beds that are classified by curative purpose.
問題は、いかに病床の再編を効率的に進めるかだ。
Previous revisions to the schedule of medical treatment fees by the health ministry have caused significant confusion among medical institutions.
厚生労働省のこれまでの診療報酬改定は、少なからず医療現場に混乱をもたらしてきた。
Revisions made to fees involving beds used to treat acutely ill patients in fiscal 2006 exacerbated this potential for confusion. The revisions set fees for medical services involving acute treatment beds at a higher level, which encouraged many hospitals to set up more of these beds than necessary and contributed to a surplus of them.
急性期病床についても、２００６年の診療報酬改定を機に過剰になった。報酬を高く設定したため、多くの病院が必要以上に急性期病床を設けた結果だ。
This resulted in medical institutions scrambling for nurses, because the use of such beds requires more nurses to provide appropriate care for acutely ill patients. The situation also fostered a tendency among nurses to prefer to work in urban areas, leading to an uneven distribution of such medical workers.
看護師を多く配置する必要があるため、医療機関の間で奪い合いが生じた。都会に看護師が偏在する傾向も強まった。
Negative impact clear
The adverse impact of the 2006 revisions was also evident in the many hospitals providing elderly people with treatments using beds designated for critically ill patients. However, the fact is that many of them are placed in such beds despite improvements in their conditions.
急性期病床なのに、入院しているのは病状の落ち着いた高齢者が大半という病院も少なくない。
The ministry needs to acknowledge that it should have been more thorough in designing a new system for medical treatment fees in 2006.
厚労省は、制度設計が甘かったことを反省すべきである。
There also is cause for apprehension about the latest proposed revisions. If fees for services involving beds for patients undergoing rehabilitation are set at a higher compensation level, it could create a spike in the number of hospitals seeking to take advantage of that. It seems likely that an excessive number of rehabilitation-designated beds could encourage patients to stay in the hospital, despite their ailments being treatable through home-based health services.
今回の改定でも、同様の懸念は拭えない。リハビリ用病床の報酬を高くすれば、これに転換を図る病院が急増するだろう。リハビリ用病床が多過ぎると、本来は在宅ケアで済む患者が、病院にとどまることにつながらないか。
It is essential that the ministry take adequate measures to prevent a large surplus in beds for rehabilitation treatments.
リハビリ用病床が過剰にならないよう、厚労省はしっかりとした対策を講じることが肝要だ。
The latest proposal would expand the pricing schedule to include fees for practicing doctors’ management of patients receiving home-based care. The plan is intended to ensure stability in the conditions of older patients receiving home-based treatment. However, because there is a perceived preference among older patients for large hospitals, it is unclear whether they would desire treatment from outpatient doctors as their regular physicians.
今回の改定では、在宅ケアの患者の主治医となる開業医への報酬も新設される。在宅療養する高齢者の病状を安定させることが目的だが、大病院志向が強いとされる患者が、開業医をかかりつけ医とするかどうかは不透明だ。
Consolidating purpose-classified hospital beds requires more than revisions to the fee schedule. It will also be necessary to accurately determine the number of beds needed in each region for acutely ill patients and patients in rehabilitation.
病床再編には、診療報酬改定だけでなく、地域ごとに必要な急性期病床やリハビリ用病床数を正確に算出することが大切である。
In fiscal 2015 or later, the national government intends to require Tokyo and all prefectural governments to put together new community-based health care plans that must include the number of rehabilitation beds needed by each community. The move is aimed at improving the quality of current community-based care schemes, which were prepared by the local governments. The national government is seeking to establish relevant legislation during the current Diet session.
政府は、現在の地域医療計画を充実させるために、必要なリハビリ用病床数を盛り込んだ「地域医療ビジョン」を１５年度以降、都道府県に策定させる方針だ。関連法案の今国会成立を目指す。
Given the authority possessed by each municipality to supervise medical institutions in its area, Tokyo and all prefectural governments have a significant role to play in achieving a good balance in the consolidation of hospital beds.
医療機関への指導権限を持つ都道府県が、均衡の取れた病床再編に果たすべき役割は大きい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 13, 2014)
（2014年2月13日01時15分 読売新聞）
Steer patients toward home-based care through revision of medical fees list
診療報酬改定 「病院依存」から転換できるか（2月13日付・読売社説）
Will the latest proposal from a key health ministry panel trigger a retreat from excessive reliance on hospital-based treatment and attach greater importance to home health-care services?
病院偏重の医療から、在宅ケア重視に転換する契機となるだろうか。
On Wednesday, the Central Social Insurance Medical Council adopted a set of recommendations for revising the list of medical treatment fees. These medical service payments constitute a portion of the income earned by medical institutions.
医療機関の収入となる診療報酬の改定内容が、中央社会保険医療協議会（中医協）で決まった。
The advisory panel’s proposal calls for tightening requirements for medical care involving the use of beds designated as equipment for patients in the acute stage, a practice that can incur higher bills for seriously ill patients. Meanwhile, the proposal would pay higher fees for services involving beds that are used to place greater emphasis on rehabilitation so patients can leave the hospital at an early date.
重症者を受け入れる急性期病床の要件を厳しくする一方で、早期退院のためにリハビリを重点的に行う病床の報酬を手厚くする。
The average number of days spent in hospitals by patients in this country is greater than in the United States and Europe. This has contributed to an enormous increase in national medical care expenditures.
日本の病院は、患者の平均入院日数が欧米に比べて長い。それが医療費の膨張も招いている。
The graying of Japanese society is expected to accelerate. A number of older people suffer from chronic diseases that can be managed with home-based treatment. In light of this situation, it was a sound decision for the advisory panel to call for a reduction in the number of beds for acute stage treatments and for efforts to encourage patients to leave the hospital at an early date.
高齢化はさらに加速する。高齢者の多くが、在宅医療で対応できる慢性病を患っている現状を考えれば、急性期病床を減らし、早期退院を促す狙いは理解できる。
The question is how to move forward in consolidating hospital beds that are classified by curative purpose.
問題は、いかに病床の再編を効率的に進めるかだ。
Previous revisions to the schedule of medical treatment fees by the health ministry have caused significant confusion among medical institutions.
厚生労働省のこれまでの診療報酬改定は、少なからず医療現場に混乱をもたらしてきた。
Revisions made to fees involving beds used to treat acutely ill patients in fiscal 2006 exacerbated this potential for confusion. The revisions set fees for medical services involving acute treatment beds at a higher level, which encouraged many hospitals to set up more of these beds than necessary and contributed to a surplus of them.
急性期病床についても、２００６年の診療報酬改定を機に過剰になった。報酬を高く設定したため、多くの病院が必要以上に急性期病床を設けた結果だ。
This resulted in medical institutions scrambling for nurses, because the use of such beds requires more nurses to provide appropriate care for acutely ill patients. The situation also fostered a tendency among nurses to prefer to work in urban areas, leading to an uneven distribution of such medical workers.
看護師を多く配置する必要があるため、医療機関の間で奪い合いが生じた。都会に看護師が偏在する傾向も強まった。
Negative impact clear
The adverse impact of the 2006 revisions was also evident in the many hospitals providing elderly people with treatments using beds designated for critically ill patients. However, the fact is that many of them are placed in such beds despite improvements in their conditions.
急性期病床なのに、入院しているのは病状の落ち着いた高齢者が大半という病院も少なくない。
The ministry needs to acknowledge that it should have been more thorough in designing a new system for medical treatment fees in 2006.
厚労省は、制度設計が甘かったことを反省すべきである。
There also is cause for apprehension about the latest proposed revisions. If fees for services involving beds for patients undergoing rehabilitation are set at a higher compensation level, it could create a spike in the number of hospitals seeking to take advantage of that. It seems likely that an excessive number of rehabilitation-designated beds could encourage patients to stay in the hospital, despite their ailments being treatable through home-based health services.
今回の改定でも、同様の懸念は拭えない。リハビリ用病床の報酬を高くすれば、これに転換を図る病院が急増するだろう。リハビリ用病床が多過ぎると、本来は在宅ケアで済む患者が、病院にとどまることにつながらないか。
It is essential that the ministry take adequate measures to prevent a large surplus in beds for rehabilitation treatments.
リハビリ用病床が過剰にならないよう、厚労省はしっかりとした対策を講じることが肝要だ。
The latest proposal would expand the pricing schedule to include fees for practicing doctors’ management of patients receiving home-based care. The plan is intended to ensure stability in the conditions of older patients receiving home-based treatment. However, because there is a perceived preference among older patients for large hospitals, it is unclear whether they would desire treatment from outpatient doctors as their regular physicians.
今回の改定では、在宅ケアの患者の主治医となる開業医への報酬も新設される。在宅療養する高齢者の病状を安定させることが目的だが、大病院志向が強いとされる患者が、開業医をかかりつけ医とするかどうかは不透明だ。
Consolidating purpose-classified hospital beds requires more than revisions to the fee schedule. It will also be necessary to accurately determine the number of beds needed in each region for acutely ill patients and patients in rehabilitation.
病床再編には、診療報酬改定だけでなく、地域ごとに必要な急性期病床やリハビリ用病床数を正確に算出することが大切である。
In fiscal 2015 or later, the national government intends to require Tokyo and all prefectural governments to put together new community-based health care plans that must include the number of rehabilitation beds needed by each community. The move is aimed at improving the quality of current community-based care schemes, which were prepared by the local governments. The national government is seeking to establish relevant legislation during the current Diet session.
政府は、現在の地域医療計画を充実させるために、必要なリハビリ用病床数を盛り込んだ「地域医療ビジョン」を１５年度以降、都道府県に策定させる方針だ。関連法案の今国会成立を目指す。
Given the authority possessed by each municipality to supervise medical institutions in its area, Tokyo and all prefectural governments have a significant role to play in achieving a good balance in the consolidation of hospital beds.
医療機関への指導権限を持つ都道府県が、均衡の取れた病床再編に果たすべき役割は大きい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 13, 2014)
（2014年2月13日01時15分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 12, 2014
Nations groping for new political systems 3 years after Arab Spring
アラブの春３年 新たな政治体制へ模索が続く（2月12日付・読売社説）
Three years have already passed since the Arab Spring democracy movements that saw people rising up in search of freedom.
自由を求めて民衆が蜂起した「アラブの春」から３年が経過した。
In Middle Eastern countries where long-reigning dictatorial regimes were brought down, moves to seek new systems of governance have been ongoing.
長期独裁政権を倒した中東の国々では、新たな統治体制を模索する動きが続いている。
Egypt and Tunisia have managed to establish new constitutions that stipulate democratic procedures. We can safely say these nations took a step forward toward enhanced freedom and the establishment of a rule of law.
エジプトとチュニジアは、民主主義的な手続きを定めた憲法の制定にこぎつけた。自由の拡大と、法の支配確立への一歩を踏み出したと言えよう。
In Egypt, there was a prolonged state of confusion after the administration of Hosni Mubarak was brought down. Although Mohamed Morsi from the Islamist organization Muslim Brotherhood was elected as president, he was dismissed by the military as he lost the confidence of the people because he overzealously tried to expand the influence of Muslim Brotherhood.
エジプトでは、ムバラク政権が打倒された後も、混乱状態が続いた。イスラム主義組織「ムスリム同胞団」のモルシ氏が大統領に選ばれたものの、もっぱら同胞団の勢力拡大を図ったため、国民の信頼を失い、軍に解任された。
Even under such circumstances, countries such as Japan and the United States, as well as European nations, have continued providing assistance to the provisional military-backed government. These actions were based on the common interest of avoiding a situation in which Egypt, a strategically important country in the Middle East region, will be destabilized again.
こうした状況でも欧米や日本は、軍を後ろ盾とする暫定政府への支援を続けてきた。地域の要のエジプトが再び不安定化する事態は避けたいという認識がある。
The turning point for resolving the disorderly situation was the approval of the revised Constitution, drafted by a committee comprising representatives from various sectors, in a national referendum in January.
混乱収拾の転機は、各界代表により起草された改正憲法が１月、国民投票で承認されたことだ。
Compared with the previous Constitution, which had strong Islamist elements, the current Constitution is distinguished by its consideration of an appropriate balance between the teachings of Islam and secularism. The new top law retained an article to respect Islamic laws, while it clearly stipulates new human rights protections including “gender equality.”
イスラム色の強かったこれまでの憲法に比べ、世俗主義とのバランスに配慮したのが特徴である。イスラム法を尊重する規定は残す一方で、「男女平等」など、新たな人権保護規定を明記した。
Countries struggling
The revised Constitution also has an article that requires approval by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in appointing the defense minister for eight years from now. This means veto power is given to the military when the government forms a cabinet. We believe the people of Egypt approved the revised Constitution as many of them thought it would be impossible to prevent confusion without dependence on the military.
改正憲法には今後８年間、国防相人事に軍の同意を必要とする規定も盛り込まれた。軍に組閣の拒否権を与えたものだ。改正憲法が承認されたのは、軍に頼らなければ混乱は防げない、と多くの国民が考えた結果ではないか。
In the coming spring, a fresh presidential election will be held and a full-fledged administration will be launched. Still, we are afraid a situation in which part of Muslim Brotherhood, labeled by the provisional government as a “terror organization” and suppressed, will resort to radical action.
今春には改めて大統領選が行われ、本格政権が誕生する。ただ、暫定政府に「テロ組織」と認定され、弾圧されている同胞団の一部が過激化しないか、心配だ。
In reactivating its economy, it may be indispensable for the country to improve public safety and get foreign tourists and investment back to the country.
治安が改善し、外国からの観光客や投資が戻ることが、経済の立て直しには不可欠だろう。
In Tunisia, the first country where a dictatorial administration collapsed due to public demonstrations and protests, the National Constituent Assembly recently adopted a new Constitution. Including human rights protection articles such as freedom of religion, the content of the new charter is much more progressive than that of Egypt. The freedom sought by the country's general public was then realized in a form of the Constitution.
民衆のデモで最初に独裁政権が崩壊したチュニジアでも、新憲法が制憲議会で採択された。信教の自由など人権保護条項が盛られ、エジプト以上に先進的な内容だ。民衆の求めた自由が、憲法の形で結実したと言える。
Yemen and Libya—where dictators were driven away from power—are still in the process of establishing a new top law, while the two countries must deal with tribal and regional hostility.
独裁者が権力の座から追われたイエメン、リビアは、部族・地域間対立に悩みつつ、新憲法制定のプロセスが続いている。
The situation is most serious in Syria, where the civil uprising turned into a civil war. Dictator Bashar Assad still sits in the seat of president, holding on to power. Although an international peace conference was held, there appears to be no prospect for a ceasefire.
最も状況が深刻なのは、民衆蜂起が内戦に転化したシリアだ。独裁者アサド大統領が権力の座に居座り、国際和平会議が開かれたが、停戦への道はまだ見えない。
The Arab Spring has brought about complicated changes in the Middle East. Japan, which depends on the Middle East for most of its imported crude oil, also needs to keep a close eye on the country.
「アラブの春」は中東に複雑な変革を引き起こした。原油輸入を中東に依存する日本も、この地域から目を離せない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 12, 2014)
（2014年2月12日01時11分 読売新聞）
Nations groping for new political systems 3 years after Arab Spring
アラブの春３年 新たな政治体制へ模索が続く（2月12日付・読売社説）
Three years have already passed since the Arab Spring democracy movements that saw people rising up in search of freedom.
自由を求めて民衆が蜂起した「アラブの春」から３年が経過した。
In Middle Eastern countries where long-reigning dictatorial regimes were brought down, moves to seek new systems of governance have been ongoing.
長期独裁政権を倒した中東の国々では、新たな統治体制を模索する動きが続いている。
Egypt and Tunisia have managed to establish new constitutions that stipulate democratic procedures. We can safely say these nations took a step forward toward enhanced freedom and the establishment of a rule of law.
エジプトとチュニジアは、民主主義的な手続きを定めた憲法の制定にこぎつけた。自由の拡大と、法の支配確立への一歩を踏み出したと言えよう。
In Egypt, there was a prolonged state of confusion after the administration of Hosni Mubarak was brought down. Although Mohamed Morsi from the Islamist organization Muslim Brotherhood was elected as president, he was dismissed by the military as he lost the confidence of the people because he overzealously tried to expand the influence of Muslim Brotherhood.
エジプトでは、ムバラク政権が打倒された後も、混乱状態が続いた。イスラム主義組織「ムスリム同胞団」のモルシ氏が大統領に選ばれたものの、もっぱら同胞団の勢力拡大を図ったため、国民の信頼を失い、軍に解任された。
Even under such circumstances, countries such as Japan and the United States, as well as European nations, have continued providing assistance to the provisional military-backed government. These actions were based on the common interest of avoiding a situation in which Egypt, a strategically important country in the Middle East region, will be destabilized again.
こうした状況でも欧米や日本は、軍を後ろ盾とする暫定政府への支援を続けてきた。地域の要のエジプトが再び不安定化する事態は避けたいという認識がある。
The turning point for resolving the disorderly situation was the approval of the revised Constitution, drafted by a committee comprising representatives from various sectors, in a national referendum in January.
混乱収拾の転機は、各界代表により起草された改正憲法が１月、国民投票で承認されたことだ。
Compared with the previous Constitution, which had strong Islamist elements, the current Constitution is distinguished by its consideration of an appropriate balance between the teachings of Islam and secularism. The new top law retained an article to respect Islamic laws, while it clearly stipulates new human rights protections including “gender equality.”
イスラム色の強かったこれまでの憲法に比べ、世俗主義とのバランスに配慮したのが特徴である。イスラム法を尊重する規定は残す一方で、「男女平等」など、新たな人権保護規定を明記した。
Countries struggling
The revised Constitution also has an article that requires approval by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in appointing the defense minister for eight years from now. This means veto power is given to the military when the government forms a cabinet. We believe the people of Egypt approved the revised Constitution as many of them thought it would be impossible to prevent confusion without dependence on the military.
改正憲法には今後８年間、国防相人事に軍の同意を必要とする規定も盛り込まれた。軍に組閣の拒否権を与えたものだ。改正憲法が承認されたのは、軍に頼らなければ混乱は防げない、と多くの国民が考えた結果ではないか。
In the coming spring, a fresh presidential election will be held and a full-fledged administration will be launched. Still, we are afraid a situation in which part of Muslim Brotherhood, labeled by the provisional government as a “terror organization” and suppressed, will resort to radical action.
今春には改めて大統領選が行われ、本格政権が誕生する。ただ、暫定政府に「テロ組織」と認定され、弾圧されている同胞団の一部が過激化しないか、心配だ。
In reactivating its economy, it may be indispensable for the country to improve public safety and get foreign tourists and investment back to the country.
治安が改善し、外国からの観光客や投資が戻ることが、経済の立て直しには不可欠だろう。
In Tunisia, the first country where a dictatorial administration collapsed due to public demonstrations and protests, the National Constituent Assembly recently adopted a new Constitution. Including human rights protection articles such as freedom of religion, the content of the new charter is much more progressive than that of Egypt. The freedom sought by the country's general public was then realized in a form of the Constitution.
民衆のデモで最初に独裁政権が崩壊したチュニジアでも、新憲法が制憲議会で採択された。信教の自由など人権保護条項が盛られ、エジプト以上に先進的な内容だ。民衆の求めた自由が、憲法の形で結実したと言える。
Yemen and Libya—where dictators were driven away from power—are still in the process of establishing a new top law, while the two countries must deal with tribal and regional hostility.
独裁者が権力の座から追われたイエメン、リビアは、部族・地域間対立に悩みつつ、新憲法制定のプロセスが続いている。
The situation is most serious in Syria, where the civil uprising turned into a civil war. Dictator Bashar Assad still sits in the seat of president, holding on to power. Although an international peace conference was held, there appears to be no prospect for a ceasefire.
最も状況が深刻なのは、民衆蜂起が内戦に転化したシリアだ。独裁者アサド大統領が権力の座に居座り、国際和平会議が開かれたが、停戦への道はまだ見えない。
The Arab Spring has brought about complicated changes in the Middle East. Japan, which depends on the Middle East for most of its imported crude oil, also needs to keep a close eye on the country.
「アラブの春」は中東に複雑な変革を引き起こした。原油輸入を中東に依存する日本も、この地域から目を離せない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 12, 2014)
（2014年2月12日01時11分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 11, 2014
Abe-Putin confidence-building must lead to resolving territorial dispute
日露首脳会談 信頼醸成を「領土」につなげよ（2月11日付・読売社説）
The confidence-building relationship between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin has deepened, but now it is being put to the test.
首脳間の信頼関係の深まりを、どう成果につなげるかが問われよう。
Abe met with Putin Saturday after attending the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics for the fifth bilateral summit with the Russian leader since the prime minister returned to the post in December 2012.
ソチ五輪の開会式に出席した安倍首相が、ロシアのプーチン大統領と会談した。第２次安倍内閣の発足後、首脳会談は５回目だ。
Even though leaders of the United States and major European countries did not attend the opening ceremony citing Russia’s human rights record, Abe decided to visit Sochi on a tight three-day schedule.
ロシアの人権状況を問題視する欧米の主要国の首脳が開会式を欠席する中、安倍首相はあえて１泊３日の強行日程で訪露した。
Putin gave Abe a warm reception, saying, “I’m very grateful for your attendance at the opening ceremony,” and he hosted a luncheon for the prime minister. The meeting is believed to have been effective in building confidence between the two leaders, as seen by the fact that they called each other by their first names.
プーチン大統領は、首相に「五輪への配慮に心からお礼したい」と述べ、昼食会を催して厚遇した。互いにファーストネームで呼び合うなど、首脳間の信頼醸成に効果があったと言える。
Putin’s visit to Japan this autumn was decided during the meeting. Hailing the recent expansion of bilateral trade, the Russian leader said he would dispatch his Cabinet ministers in charge of agriculture, railways and energy to Japan, plus top company executives.
会談では、大統領の今秋の来日が決まった。大統領は、最近の日露間の貿易拡大を歓迎し、農業や鉄道、エネルギーを担当する閣僚と関連企業のトップを日本に派遣する意向を示した。
Development of the Russian Far East and East Siberia is regarded by Putin as “a national project to be undertaken by the country on a priority basis in the 21st century.” Offering cooperation in the development of natural gas and other resources is expected to prove beneficial also for Japan, because of this country’s scarcity of fossil fuels.
大統領は、極東・東シベリア開発を「２１世紀のロシアの国家的な優先課題」としている。天然ガス開発などの協力は、資源の乏しい日本にとってもプラスだろう。
The thing is that negotiations on the return of four Russian-occupied islands off Hokkaido, a major concern for Japan, have made little headway.
問題は、肝心の北方領土交渉が実質的に進まないことだ。
Resolution remains remote
Abe reportedly said he “wants to carry out talks in concrete terms.” In response, Putin was quoted as saying, “Efforts will be made toward a solution.” However, a political decision on the matter is a long way off.
首相が「交渉を具体的に進めたい」と切り出したのに対し、大統領は「解決に向けてしっかりと努力したい」と応じ、双方の意欲は確認された。だが、政治決断への環境は整っていない。
In vice foreign ministerial talks in Tokyo late last month, the two countries failed to iron out their differences. Russia has repeated its conventional stance that the four northern islands became part of its territory as a result of World War II.
先月末、東京で行われた日露の外務次官級協議では、双方の主張が平行線のままだった。ロシアは第２次大戦の結果、北方４島は自国の領土になったとする従来通りの主張を繰り返している。
Japan should insist that Russia’s claim is not based on historical facts.
日本は、それが歴史的事実に基づかないと強く訴えるべきだ。
The former Soviet Union reneged on the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact and declared war on Japan in the closing days of World War II. It invaded the Kuril Islands after Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration and it occupied the four islands, which it then unilaterally integrated into its territory. The four islands are not included in the Kuril Islands that Japan relinquished when it signed the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty.
旧ソ連は大戦末期に日ソ中立条約を無視して宣戦布告し、日本のポツダム宣言受諾後、千島列島に侵攻して４島を占領、一方的に自国に編入した。サンフランシスコ講和条約で日本が放棄した千島列島に、北方４島は含まれない。
Russia’s internal politics are also a matter of concern. To ward off public discontent, Putin has come up with populist policies. The situation does not seem ripe yet for Russia to make a concession on the northern territories.
ロシアの内政も懸念材料だ。大統領は、国民の不満をかわすため、大衆迎合的な政策を打ち出している。領土問題で譲歩できる政治状況ではないのではないか。
Prior to his summit with Abe, Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and confirmed that the two countries would jointly sponsor events in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of their victory in World War II. Japan must realize that Beijing and Moscow are acting in concert in dealing with an issue involving Japan’s history.
日露首脳会談に先立ち、大統領は、中国の習近平国家主席と会談し、第２次大戦終結７０年の２０１５年に戦勝祝賀記念行事を共催することを確認した。中露が日本を巡る歴史問題で歩調を合わせている点は警戒すべきだ。
To make progress in resolving the territorial issue, it is imperative to closely examine the true intentions of Putin administration’s domestic and foreign policies, while reinforcing Japan-Russia relations from a wide perspective.
領土問題を進展させるには、日露関係を幅広く強化する一方、プーチン政権の内政・外交の内実も見極めていかねばなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 11, 2014)
（2014年2月11日01時35分 読売新聞）
Abe-Putin confidence-building must lead to resolving territorial dispute
日露首脳会談 信頼醸成を「領土」につなげよ（2月11日付・読売社説）
The confidence-building relationship between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin has deepened, but now it is being put to the test.
首脳間の信頼関係の深まりを、どう成果につなげるかが問われよう。
Abe met with Putin Saturday after attending the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics for the fifth bilateral summit with the Russian leader since the prime minister returned to the post in December 2012.
ソチ五輪の開会式に出席した安倍首相が、ロシアのプーチン大統領と会談した。第２次安倍内閣の発足後、首脳会談は５回目だ。
Even though leaders of the United States and major European countries did not attend the opening ceremony citing Russia’s human rights record, Abe decided to visit Sochi on a tight three-day schedule.
ロシアの人権状況を問題視する欧米の主要国の首脳が開会式を欠席する中、安倍首相はあえて１泊３日の強行日程で訪露した。
Putin gave Abe a warm reception, saying, “I’m very grateful for your attendance at the opening ceremony,” and he hosted a luncheon for the prime minister. The meeting is believed to have been effective in building confidence between the two leaders, as seen by the fact that they called each other by their first names.
プーチン大統領は、首相に「五輪への配慮に心からお礼したい」と述べ、昼食会を催して厚遇した。互いにファーストネームで呼び合うなど、首脳間の信頼醸成に効果があったと言える。
Putin’s visit to Japan this autumn was decided during the meeting. Hailing the recent expansion of bilateral trade, the Russian leader said he would dispatch his Cabinet ministers in charge of agriculture, railways and energy to Japan, plus top company executives.
会談では、大統領の今秋の来日が決まった。大統領は、最近の日露間の貿易拡大を歓迎し、農業や鉄道、エネルギーを担当する閣僚と関連企業のトップを日本に派遣する意向を示した。
Development of the Russian Far East and East Siberia is regarded by Putin as “a national project to be undertaken by the country on a priority basis in the 21st century.” Offering cooperation in the development of natural gas and other resources is expected to prove beneficial also for Japan, because of this country’s scarcity of fossil fuels.
大統領は、極東・東シベリア開発を「２１世紀のロシアの国家的な優先課題」としている。天然ガス開発などの協力は、資源の乏しい日本にとってもプラスだろう。
The thing is that negotiations on the return of four Russian-occupied islands off Hokkaido, a major concern for Japan, have made little headway.
問題は、肝心の北方領土交渉が実質的に進まないことだ。
Resolution remains remote
Abe reportedly said he “wants to carry out talks in concrete terms.” In response, Putin was quoted as saying, “Efforts will be made toward a solution.” However, a political decision on the matter is a long way off.
首相が「交渉を具体的に進めたい」と切り出したのに対し、大統領は「解決に向けてしっかりと努力したい」と応じ、双方の意欲は確認された。だが、政治決断への環境は整っていない。
In vice foreign ministerial talks in Tokyo late last month, the two countries failed to iron out their differences. Russia has repeated its conventional stance that the four northern islands became part of its territory as a result of World War II.
先月末、東京で行われた日露の外務次官級協議では、双方の主張が平行線のままだった。ロシアは第２次大戦の結果、北方４島は自国の領土になったとする従来通りの主張を繰り返している。
Japan should insist that Russia’s claim is not based on historical facts.
日本は、それが歴史的事実に基づかないと強く訴えるべきだ。
The former Soviet Union reneged on the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact and declared war on Japan in the closing days of World War II. It invaded the Kuril Islands after Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration and it occupied the four islands, which it then unilaterally integrated into its territory. The four islands are not included in the Kuril Islands that Japan relinquished when it signed the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty.
旧ソ連は大戦末期に日ソ中立条約を無視して宣戦布告し、日本のポツダム宣言受諾後、千島列島に侵攻して４島を占領、一方的に自国に編入した。サンフランシスコ講和条約で日本が放棄した千島列島に、北方４島は含まれない。
Russia’s internal politics are also a matter of concern. To ward off public discontent, Putin has come up with populist policies. The situation does not seem ripe yet for Russia to make a concession on the northern territories.
ロシアの内政も懸念材料だ。大統領は、国民の不満をかわすため、大衆迎合的な政策を打ち出している。領土問題で譲歩できる政治状況ではないのではないか。
Prior to his summit with Abe, Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and confirmed that the two countries would jointly sponsor events in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of their victory in World War II. Japan must realize that Beijing and Moscow are acting in concert in dealing with an issue involving Japan’s history.
日露首脳会談に先立ち、大統領は、中国の習近平国家主席と会談し、第２次大戦終結７０年の２０１５年に戦勝祝賀記念行事を共催することを確認した。中露が日本を巡る歴史問題で歩調を合わせている点は警戒すべきだ。
To make progress in resolving the territorial issue, it is imperative to closely examine the true intentions of Putin administration’s domestic and foreign policies, while reinforcing Japan-Russia relations from a wide perspective.
領土問題を進展させるには、日露関係を幅広く強化する一方、プーチン政権の内政・外交の内実も見極めていかねばなるまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 11, 2014)
（2014年2月11日01時35分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 10, 2014
Voters in Tokyo gubernatorial election spurn irresponsible antinuclear drive
東京都知事選 無責任な「原発ゼロ」信任されず（2月10日付・読売社説）
◆舛添氏は謙虚に政策を推進せよ
The outcome of Sunday’s Tokyo gubernatorial election can be said to attest to the strongly negative reaction by the majority of Tokyo residents to unrealistic arguments for an immediate end to nuclear power generation.
非現実的な「原発即時ゼロ」の主張に、多くの都民が拒否反応を示したと言えるだろう。
Former Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe won an overwhelming victory in the race for the top post of the nation’s capital.
東京都知事選で、元厚生労働相の舛添要一氏が圧勝した。
Masuzoe pledged in the campaign to make Tokyo the world’s No. 1 metropolis, stressing his resolve to do his utmost regarding Tokyo’s social welfare services, antidisaster measures and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and Paralympics.
「東京を世界一の街にする」と述べ、福祉や防災、五輪に全力を尽くすと強調した。
Former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and former head of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations Kenji Utsunomiya were the two other major candidates in the Tokyo contest, and campaigned against reactivation of nuclear plants by calling for nuclear power generation to be immediately reduced to zero. Utsunomiya finished a distant second to Masuzoe and Hosokawa a distant third.
原発の再稼働を認めず、即時ゼロを掲げた元首相の細川護熙氏や、前日本弁護士連合会長の宇都宮健児氏は及ばなかった。
Their electoral tactics focused on nuclear and energy issues, which should be dealt with primarily in the arena of national politics. Wasn’t this off the mark in the gubernatorial race, which is a local election?
国政に関わる原発・エネルギー問題を首長選で争うのは、無理があったのではないか。
‘Single-issue’ campaign
◆「単一争点」は奏功せず
Hosokawa’s decision to run immediately before the official announcement of the election dramatically changed the nature of the election drives for a new Tokyo governor. In tandem with fellow former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whose popularity is still markedly high, Hosokawa focused his campaign efforts on the choice between whether to eliminate nuclear power plants or not.
都知事選の性格を一変させたのは、告示直前になって細川氏が出馬表明し、人気の高い小泉元首相と二人三脚で、原発ゼロか否かと訴えたことである。
There is precedent of an election campaign focused on a single issue: While in office, former Prime Minister Koizumi led the Liberal Democratic Party to a sweeping triumph in a House of Representatives election by focusing on the pros and cons of postal privatization. However, similar tactics failed to work this time.
単一の争点を掲げる選挙では、小泉氏が首相時代、衆院選で郵政民営化を訴え、自民党を大勝させた例がある。だが、今回、そうした戦術は奏功しなかった。
According to voting day exit polls by The Yomiuri Shimbun, voters gave considerably less weight to issues related to nuclear plants and energy policy than they did to medical services and social welfare, and business growth and employment.
読売新聞の出口調査では、有権者の重視した政策として「原発などエネルギー問題」は「医療や福祉」や「景気や雇用」を下回った。
Hosokawa asserted, “There will be little difference in policies regarding anything but the nuclear power problem no matter who is elected to the governorship,” but failed to refer to any specific measures to secure renewable energy sources that would serve as the pillar to replace nuclear power generation. There is no choice but to call that way of campaigning extremely irresponsible.
細川氏は「原発以外の政策は、誰が知事でもそんなに変わらない」として原発を主要争点に位置づけながら、代替電源の柱とする再生可能エネルギーの確保策について具体的に語らなかった。無責任に過ぎる。
Fuel costs for the thermal power generation currently taking the place of idled nuclear plants have kept ballooning, causing electricity charges to rise repeatedly. Anxiety is also on the rise over the environmental impact of the increasing carbon dioxide emissions resulting from thermal power generation.
原発を代替している火力発電の燃料費がかさみ、電気料金の上昇が続く。二酸化炭素の排出増による環境への影響も心配だ。
Arguing in abstract terms in favor of reducing nuclear power to zero, without taking these problems into account, can never be convincing.
こうした点を考慮せず、観念的に原発ゼロを唱えても説得力はない。
Masuzoe, in contrast, expressed his belief that energy policy should be handled primarily by the central government, pledging that he would make efforts to enhance the percentage of renewable energy in Tokyo’s total power consumption. In addition, his campaign placed high importance on issues close to Tokyo residents’ daily lives, such as improving the metropolitan government’s support for child rearing.
これに対し、舛添氏は、エネルギーは国の政策との認識を示しつつ、都の再生可能エネルギーの割合を高めると主張した。同時に、子育て支援など身近な課題に力点を置いた選挙戦を展開した。
Many Tokyo residents may have high hopes regarding Masuzoe’s stance, which was well geared to the realities of their day-to-day lives.
現実的な姿勢に、都民は期待を寄せたのではないか。
War between Koizumi, Abe
◆小泉ＶＳ安倍の代理戦争
Earlier on there were some within the LDP who were wary of throwing the party’s support behind Masuzoe, who was expelled from the party for criticizing it. In response to the moves by Hosokawa and Koizumi, however, the LDP eventually embarked on full-scale support of Masuzoe.
自民党には当初、党を批判して除名された舛添氏を支援することへの慎重論もあった。だが、細川、小泉両氏の動向を受け、全面支援に乗り出した。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba and other party leaders made campaign speeches for Masuzoe. They probably concluded that if Hosokawa gained more votes than expected, it could adversely affect the envisaged restart of nuclear power plants or even the growth strategy championed by the Abe administration.
安倍首相や石破幹事長らも応援演説に立った。細川氏の得票が伸びれば、原発の再稼働、ひいては成長戦略に影響しかねないとの判断も働いたのだろう。
Koizumi, who can be referred to in a sense as the protagonist on the stage of Tokyo election, has been a political mentor to Abe, and has urged the prime minister since last year to make a political decision to halt nuclear power generation immediately.
影の主役ともいえる小泉氏は、安倍首相の「政治の師」であり、昨年来、首相に原発ゼロへの政治決断を促してきた。
But Abe did not comply with Koizumi’s call, causing a rift between the two. It cannot be denied that the Tokyo gubernatorial election also became a proxy war between Abe and Koizumi.
だが、首相は受け入れず、両氏の間に溝ができていた。都知事選が、両氏の代理戦争となったことも否めない。
At the Diet, Abe said there was no way for his administration to say, “We will end nuclear power generation now,” citing the possible adverse effects on people’s lives and economic activity.
安倍首相は、国会で「『原発はもうやめる』というわけにはいかない」と述べ、国民生活や経済活動への悪影響を指摘した。
His administration should consider nuclear power as an important source of electricity in the government’s basic energy plan, which is to be decided on shortly, and squarely tackle the issue of restarting nuclear power plants.
近く決定するエネルギー基本計画で原発を重要電源と位置づけ、再稼働に正面から取り組むべきである。
The stance of the Democratic Party of Japan is questionable. The party initially indicated it would support Masuzoe but later shifted its stance to back Hosokawa.
疑問なのは民主党の姿勢だ。舛添氏を推す構えを見せていたが、細川氏に乗り換えた。
The DPJ has advocated halting nuclear power generation sometime in the 2030s, so its stance is actually different from Hosokawa’s desire to halt nuclear power generation immediately. This is nothing less than an ad-hoc response.
民主党は、２０３０年代の原発稼働ゼロを主張しており、細川氏の「即時ゼロ」とは、本来は相いれない。場当たり的な対応と言うほかない。
With the crushing defeat of Hosokawa in the election, the scheme of reorganizing opposition parties, which some within the DPJ have been advocating and centers on the idea of breaking away from nuclear power generation, will stall.
細川氏の大敗で、民主党の一部にあった脱原発を軸とする野党再編構想も失速しよう。
There is a mountain of issues that the metropolitan government has to tackle, including how to deal with the aging society and low birthrate, which Masuzoe mentioned in his campaign speeches.
都政の課題は山積している。舛添氏が演説で時間を割いた少子高齢化対策はその一つだ。
One in every four people in Tokyo will be elderly six years from now. Due to difficulty in securing plots of land, the shortage of facilities for the aged, including homes for elderly people requiring special care, will become ever more serious.
６年後には東京の人口の４人に１人を高齢者が占めるようになる。用地確保の難しさから、特別養護老人ホームなど高齢者施設の不足は一層深刻化するだろう。
During the campaign, Masuzoe promised to utilize plots of idle land owned by the metropolitan government. He must present concrete steps to that end. We also hope he will fulfill his pledge to reduce the number of children on waiting lists for certified day care centers to zero in four years.
舛添氏は都の所有する遊休地の活用を約束した。具体策を示す必要がある。４年で待機児童を解消する公約も実現してほしい。
The new governor will also assume a heavy responsibility for making preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Masuzoe has repeatedly promised that he would aim at realizing the “best Olympics in history.”
２０年東京五輪・パラリンピックの準備にも都知事は重い責任を負う。舛添氏は「史上最高の五輪」を目指すと繰り返してきた。
The metropolitan government has a ¥400 billion fund set aside for preparations for the 2020 Games. Needless to say, the Tokyo government has to move ahead without delay with construction work on athletic arenas and other facilities, while at the same time avoiding waste and securing transparency in the spending of the money.
都は、五輪準備のために４０００億円の基金を保有している。競技場建設などを遅滞なく進めることはもちろん、無駄を排し、使途の透明性を確保すべきである。
Build relations of trust
◆都議会と信頼関係築け
It is also important to prepare for a major quake whose focus is directly below Tokyo, a quake that has a 70 percent possibility of occurring within 30 years. It is urgent to boost fire resistance in areas packed with wooden houses and to improve dilapidated infrastructure, measures that are lagging behind.
３０年以内の発生確率が７０％と予測される首都直下地震への備えも重要だ。立ち遅れている木造住宅密集地域の不燃化や老朽化したインフラの再整備が急務である。
Former Gov. Naoki Inose often acted too arbitrarily on his own authority. We hope Masuzoe will manage the administration of the Tokyo government in a modest manner, without becoming puffed up from his overwhelming victory.
猪瀬直樹前知事には独断専行が目立った。舛添氏は、得票結果に傲(おご)らず、謙虚な都政運営を心がけてもらいたい。
For Masuzoe to steadily achieve his campaign promises, it is important to build a solid relationship of trust with the Tokyo metropolitan assembly, in addition to displaying leadership to lead the colossal organization of the Tokyo metropolitan government.
着実に公約を具体化していくには、都庁という巨大組織を率いるリーダーシップに加え、都議会との信頼関係をしっかり構築することが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 10, 2014)
（2014年2月10日00時15分 読売新聞）
Voters in Tokyo gubernatorial election spurn irresponsible antinuclear drive
東京都知事選 無責任な「原発ゼロ」信任されず（2月10日付・読売社説）
◆舛添氏は謙虚に政策を推進せよ
The outcome of Sunday’s Tokyo gubernatorial election can be said to attest to the strongly negative reaction by the majority of Tokyo residents to unrealistic arguments for an immediate end to nuclear power generation.
非現実的な「原発即時ゼロ」の主張に、多くの都民が拒否反応を示したと言えるだろう。
Former Health, Labor and Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe won an overwhelming victory in the race for the top post of the nation’s capital.
東京都知事選で、元厚生労働相の舛添要一氏が圧勝した。
Masuzoe pledged in the campaign to make Tokyo the world’s No. 1 metropolis, stressing his resolve to do his utmost regarding Tokyo’s social welfare services, antidisaster measures and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and Paralympics.
「東京を世界一の街にする」と述べ、福祉や防災、五輪に全力を尽くすと強調した。
Former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and former head of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations Kenji Utsunomiya were the two other major candidates in the Tokyo contest, and campaigned against reactivation of nuclear plants by calling for nuclear power generation to be immediately reduced to zero. Utsunomiya finished a distant second to Masuzoe and Hosokawa a distant third.
原発の再稼働を認めず、即時ゼロを掲げた元首相の細川護熙氏や、前日本弁護士連合会長の宇都宮健児氏は及ばなかった。
Their electoral tactics focused on nuclear and energy issues, which should be dealt with primarily in the arena of national politics. Wasn’t this off the mark in the gubernatorial race, which is a local election?
国政に関わる原発・エネルギー問題を首長選で争うのは、無理があったのではないか。
‘Single-issue’ campaign
◆「単一争点」は奏功せず
Hosokawa’s decision to run immediately before the official announcement of the election dramatically changed the nature of the election drives for a new Tokyo governor. In tandem with fellow former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, whose popularity is still markedly high, Hosokawa focused his campaign efforts on the choice between whether to eliminate nuclear power plants or not.
都知事選の性格を一変させたのは、告示直前になって細川氏が出馬表明し、人気の高い小泉元首相と二人三脚で、原発ゼロか否かと訴えたことである。
There is precedent of an election campaign focused on a single issue: While in office, former Prime Minister Koizumi led the Liberal Democratic Party to a sweeping triumph in a House of Representatives election by focusing on the pros and cons of postal privatization. However, similar tactics failed to work this time.
単一の争点を掲げる選挙では、小泉氏が首相時代、衆院選で郵政民営化を訴え、自民党を大勝させた例がある。だが、今回、そうした戦術は奏功しなかった。
According to voting day exit polls by The Yomiuri Shimbun, voters gave considerably less weight to issues related to nuclear plants and energy policy than they did to medical services and social welfare, and business growth and employment.
読売新聞の出口調査では、有権者の重視した政策として「原発などエネルギー問題」は「医療や福祉」や「景気や雇用」を下回った。
Hosokawa asserted, “There will be little difference in policies regarding anything but the nuclear power problem no matter who is elected to the governorship,” but failed to refer to any specific measures to secure renewable energy sources that would serve as the pillar to replace nuclear power generation. There is no choice but to call that way of campaigning extremely irresponsible.
細川氏は「原発以外の政策は、誰が知事でもそんなに変わらない」として原発を主要争点に位置づけながら、代替電源の柱とする再生可能エネルギーの確保策について具体的に語らなかった。無責任に過ぎる。
Fuel costs for the thermal power generation currently taking the place of idled nuclear plants have kept ballooning, causing electricity charges to rise repeatedly. Anxiety is also on the rise over the environmental impact of the increasing carbon dioxide emissions resulting from thermal power generation.
原発を代替している火力発電の燃料費がかさみ、電気料金の上昇が続く。二酸化炭素の排出増による環境への影響も心配だ。
Arguing in abstract terms in favor of reducing nuclear power to zero, without taking these problems into account, can never be convincing.
こうした点を考慮せず、観念的に原発ゼロを唱えても説得力はない。
Masuzoe, in contrast, expressed his belief that energy policy should be handled primarily by the central government, pledging that he would make efforts to enhance the percentage of renewable energy in Tokyo’s total power consumption. In addition, his campaign placed high importance on issues close to Tokyo residents’ daily lives, such as improving the metropolitan government’s support for child rearing.
これに対し、舛添氏は、エネルギーは国の政策との認識を示しつつ、都の再生可能エネルギーの割合を高めると主張した。同時に、子育て支援など身近な課題に力点を置いた選挙戦を展開した。
Many Tokyo residents may have high hopes regarding Masuzoe’s stance, which was well geared to the realities of their day-to-day lives.
現実的な姿勢に、都民は期待を寄せたのではないか。
War between Koizumi, Abe
◆小泉ＶＳ安倍の代理戦争
Earlier on there were some within the LDP who were wary of throwing the party’s support behind Masuzoe, who was expelled from the party for criticizing it. In response to the moves by Hosokawa and Koizumi, however, the LDP eventually embarked on full-scale support of Masuzoe.
自民党には当初、党を批判して除名された舛添氏を支援することへの慎重論もあった。だが、細川、小泉両氏の動向を受け、全面支援に乗り出した。
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba and other party leaders made campaign speeches for Masuzoe. They probably concluded that if Hosokawa gained more votes than expected, it could adversely affect the envisaged restart of nuclear power plants or even the growth strategy championed by the Abe administration.
安倍首相や石破幹事長らも応援演説に立った。細川氏の得票が伸びれば、原発の再稼働、ひいては成長戦略に影響しかねないとの判断も働いたのだろう。
Koizumi, who can be referred to in a sense as the protagonist on the stage of Tokyo election, has been a political mentor to Abe, and has urged the prime minister since last year to make a political decision to halt nuclear power generation immediately.
影の主役ともいえる小泉氏は、安倍首相の「政治の師」であり、昨年来、首相に原発ゼロへの政治決断を促してきた。
But Abe did not comply with Koizumi’s call, causing a rift between the two. It cannot be denied that the Tokyo gubernatorial election also became a proxy war between Abe and Koizumi.
だが、首相は受け入れず、両氏の間に溝ができていた。都知事選が、両氏の代理戦争となったことも否めない。
At the Diet, Abe said there was no way for his administration to say, “We will end nuclear power generation now,” citing the possible adverse effects on people’s lives and economic activity.
安倍首相は、国会で「『原発はもうやめる』というわけにはいかない」と述べ、国民生活や経済活動への悪影響を指摘した。
His administration should consider nuclear power as an important source of electricity in the government’s basic energy plan, which is to be decided on shortly, and squarely tackle the issue of restarting nuclear power plants.
近く決定するエネルギー基本計画で原発を重要電源と位置づけ、再稼働に正面から取り組むべきである。
The stance of the Democratic Party of Japan is questionable. The party initially indicated it would support Masuzoe but later shifted its stance to back Hosokawa.
疑問なのは民主党の姿勢だ。舛添氏を推す構えを見せていたが、細川氏に乗り換えた。
The DPJ has advocated halting nuclear power generation sometime in the 2030s, so its stance is actually different from Hosokawa’s desire to halt nuclear power generation immediately. This is nothing less than an ad-hoc response.
民主党は、２０３０年代の原発稼働ゼロを主張しており、細川氏の「即時ゼロ」とは、本来は相いれない。場当たり的な対応と言うほかない。
With the crushing defeat of Hosokawa in the election, the scheme of reorganizing opposition parties, which some within the DPJ have been advocating and centers on the idea of breaking away from nuclear power generation, will stall.
細川氏の大敗で、民主党の一部にあった脱原発を軸とする野党再編構想も失速しよう。
There is a mountain of issues that the metropolitan government has to tackle, including how to deal with the aging society and low birthrate, which Masuzoe mentioned in his campaign speeches.
都政の課題は山積している。舛添氏が演説で時間を割いた少子高齢化対策はその一つだ。
One in every four people in Tokyo will be elderly six years from now. Due to difficulty in securing plots of land, the shortage of facilities for the aged, including homes for elderly people requiring special care, will become ever more serious.
６年後には東京の人口の４人に１人を高齢者が占めるようになる。用地確保の難しさから、特別養護老人ホームなど高齢者施設の不足は一層深刻化するだろう。
During the campaign, Masuzoe promised to utilize plots of idle land owned by the metropolitan government. He must present concrete steps to that end. We also hope he will fulfill his pledge to reduce the number of children on waiting lists for certified day care centers to zero in four years.
舛添氏は都の所有する遊休地の活用を約束した。具体策を示す必要がある。４年で待機児童を解消する公約も実現してほしい。
The new governor will also assume a heavy responsibility for making preparations for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Masuzoe has repeatedly promised that he would aim at realizing the “best Olympics in history.”
２０年東京五輪・パラリンピックの準備にも都知事は重い責任を負う。舛添氏は「史上最高の五輪」を目指すと繰り返してきた。
The metropolitan government has a ¥400 billion fund set aside for preparations for the 2020 Games. Needless to say, the Tokyo government has to move ahead without delay with construction work on athletic arenas and other facilities, while at the same time avoiding waste and securing transparency in the spending of the money.
都は、五輪準備のために４０００億円の基金を保有している。競技場建設などを遅滞なく進めることはもちろん、無駄を排し、使途の透明性を確保すべきである。
Build relations of trust
◆都議会と信頼関係築け
It is also important to prepare for a major quake whose focus is directly below Tokyo, a quake that has a 70 percent possibility of occurring within 30 years. It is urgent to boost fire resistance in areas packed with wooden houses and to improve dilapidated infrastructure, measures that are lagging behind.
３０年以内の発生確率が７０％と予測される首都直下地震への備えも重要だ。立ち遅れている木造住宅密集地域の不燃化や老朽化したインフラの再整備が急務である。
Former Gov. Naoki Inose often acted too arbitrarily on his own authority. We hope Masuzoe will manage the administration of the Tokyo government in a modest manner, without becoming puffed up from his overwhelming victory.
猪瀬直樹前知事には独断専行が目立った。舛添氏は、得票結果に傲(おご)らず、謙虚な都政運営を心がけてもらいたい。
For Masuzoe to steadily achieve his campaign promises, it is important to build a solid relationship of trust with the Tokyo metropolitan assembly, in addition to displaying leadership to lead the colossal organization of the Tokyo metropolitan government.
着実に公約を具体化していくには、都庁という巨大組織を率いるリーダーシップに加え、都議会との信頼関係をしっかり構築することが肝要である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 10, 2014)
（2014年2月10日00時15分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 10, 2014
Japan, U.S. should show strength of their alliance to rest of Asia
日米外相会談 強固な同盟をアジアに示そう（2月9日付・読売社説）
Strained relations between Japan and the United States will only benefit China and North Korea. Tokyo and Washington must show the strength of their alliance to the whole Asian region.
日米関係がぎくしゃくすることは、中国や北朝鮮を利するだけだ。強固な同盟関係をアジア全体に示すことが肝要だ。
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida visited the United States and held separate talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. They agreed that Japan and the United States will deal jointly with China without accepting the Chinese-claimed air defense identification zone over the East China Sea.
岸田外相が訪米し、ケリー国務長官、ヘーゲル国防長官らと個別に会談した。中国による東シナ海上空の防空識別圏の設定は受け入れず、日米が連携して対応することで合意した。
“We will deal calmly but resolutely with China’s attempts to change the status quo with force,” said Kishida. Kerry reiterated the U.S. position that the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands, is covered by the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty that stipulates the U.S. obligation to defend Japan.
岸田外相は、「中国の力による現状変更の試みには、冷静かつ毅然(きぜん)として対応する」と語った。ケリー長官は、尖閣諸島を含む東シナ海が、日米安保条約に基づく米国の対日防衛義務の対象になるとの見解を改めて強調した。
Washington expressed its disappointment over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine late last year, revealing its position to be different from Tokyo’s. At the first foreign ministerial meeting since then, however, it is significant that Kishida and Kerry clearly confirmed enhancement of the Japan-U.S. alliance and coordination of their policies vis-a-vis China.
昨年末の安倍首相の靖国神社参拝に米政府が「失望」を表明し、双方の立場の違いを露呈して以来初の日米外相会談で、同盟関係の強化や、対中外交での連携をきちんと確認した意義は大きい。
Building strong and stable relations between Japan and U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration with its emphasis on Asia will greatly contribute to peace and prosperity in the whole Asian region. Japan should make Obama’s visit to Japan, scheduled for April, an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the Japan-U.S. alliance to the rest of the international community.
「アジア重視」戦略を掲げるオバマ政権と日本が強固で安定した関係を構築することは、アジア全体の平和と繁栄に寄与する。４月に予定されるオバマ大統領の来日を、日米同盟の力強さを国際社会にアピールする機会としたい。
Kishida and Kerry agreed that the cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea is important to deal with North Korea’s nuclear ambition and other issues. Kishida indicated his intention to improve Japan-South Korea ties by accumulating successes in working-level, tangible cooperation between the two countries.
両外相は、北朝鮮の核問題などに対応するため、日米韓３か国の連携が重要との認識で一致した。岸田外相は、「実務に基づく具体的な協力」を積み重ね、日韓関係の改善に努める考えを示した。
Fix Japan-S. Korea ties
It is not clear what North Korea will do next. Pyongyang has shown its emphasis on a willingness to participate in dialogue by agreeing with South Korea to allow reunions of families separated by the Korean War, while strongly opposing the U.S.-South Korea military exercises scheduled late this month.
北朝鮮の今後の出方は、不透明だ。韓国と朝鮮戦争の離散家族の再会で合意し、対話重視の姿勢を示す一方で、今月下旬の米韓軍事演習には強く反発している。
To urge Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions, Japan, the United States and South Korea should not march to different drummers. Mutual efforts by both Japan and South Korea are indispensable to repair their bilateral relations, which have become ice-cold due to disputes over the Takeshima islands and the issue of the so-called comfort women.
北朝鮮に核放棄を迫るには日米韓の足並みを乱さないことが重要だ。竹島やいわゆる従軍慰安婦の問題で冷え切った日韓関係の修復へ、双方の努力が欠かせない。
The Japanese and U.S. foreign ministers also agreed to proceed steadily with the transfer of functions of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district in Okinawa Prefecture, and to start negotiations on a new bilateral treaty to allow environmental field studies at U.S. bases in Japan that are scheduled to be returned to the Japanese government.
外相会談では、米軍普天間飛行場の辺野古移設の着実な進展や、返還予定の在日米軍基地内の環境調査などを可能にする新しい日米協定の交渉の開始で一致した。
The envisaged new treaty is expected to smooth the way for the planned return of U.S. bases in Japan. We hope both governments will reach a conclusion as soon as possible to make stationing of U.S. forces in Japan, a foundation of their deterrence in the Asia-Pacific region, sustainable.
新協定は、基地返還をより円滑に進める効果が期待される。米軍の抑止力の根幹である日本駐留を持続可能なものにするため、早期の合意を目指したい。
Kishida and Kerry also agreed to accelerate bilateral talks in an effort to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact as soon as possible. The negotiations on the trade agreement are now deadlocked.
膠着(こうちゃく)状態にある環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について両外相は、早期妥結に向けて日米協議を加速させることを確認した。
Tokyo and Washington have differing opinions over whether to abolish tariffs on five Japanese farm products. It may be time for the United States to review its commitment to a hard-line policy and demonstrate some flexibility from a common strategic viewpoint shared by Japan and the United States to create a new free trade system in the Asia-Pacific region.
日本の農産品５項目の関税撤廃をめぐる日米対立が続いている。アジア太平洋地域に新たな自由貿易体制を作るという日米共通の戦略的観点から、米国もそろそろ強硬一辺倒の姿勢を見直し、一定の柔軟性を示してもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 9, 2014)
（2014年2月9日00時23分 読売新聞）
Japan, U.S. should show strength of their alliance to rest of Asia
日米外相会談 強固な同盟をアジアに示そう（2月9日付・読売社説）
Strained relations between Japan and the United States will only benefit China and North Korea. Tokyo and Washington must show the strength of their alliance to the whole Asian region.
日米関係がぎくしゃくすることは、中国や北朝鮮を利するだけだ。強固な同盟関係をアジア全体に示すことが肝要だ。
Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida visited the United States and held separate talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. They agreed that Japan and the United States will deal jointly with China without accepting the Chinese-claimed air defense identification zone over the East China Sea.
岸田外相が訪米し、ケリー国務長官、ヘーゲル国防長官らと個別に会談した。中国による東シナ海上空の防空識別圏の設定は受け入れず、日米が連携して対応することで合意した。
“We will deal calmly but resolutely with China’s attempts to change the status quo with force,” said Kishida. Kerry reiterated the U.S. position that the East China Sea, including the Senkaku Islands, is covered by the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty that stipulates the U.S. obligation to defend Japan.
岸田外相は、「中国の力による現状変更の試みには、冷静かつ毅然(きぜん)として対応する」と語った。ケリー長官は、尖閣諸島を含む東シナ海が、日米安保条約に基づく米国の対日防衛義務の対象になるとの見解を改めて強調した。
Washington expressed its disappointment over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Yasukuni Shrine late last year, revealing its position to be different from Tokyo’s. At the first foreign ministerial meeting since then, however, it is significant that Kishida and Kerry clearly confirmed enhancement of the Japan-U.S. alliance and coordination of their policies vis-a-vis China.
昨年末の安倍首相の靖国神社参拝に米政府が「失望」を表明し、双方の立場の違いを露呈して以来初の日米外相会談で、同盟関係の強化や、対中外交での連携をきちんと確認した意義は大きい。
Building strong and stable relations between Japan and U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration with its emphasis on Asia will greatly contribute to peace and prosperity in the whole Asian region. Japan should make Obama’s visit to Japan, scheduled for April, an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the Japan-U.S. alliance to the rest of the international community.
「アジア重視」戦略を掲げるオバマ政権と日本が強固で安定した関係を構築することは、アジア全体の平和と繁栄に寄与する。４月に予定されるオバマ大統領の来日を、日米同盟の力強さを国際社会にアピールする機会としたい。
Kishida and Kerry agreed that the cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea is important to deal with North Korea’s nuclear ambition and other issues. Kishida indicated his intention to improve Japan-South Korea ties by accumulating successes in working-level, tangible cooperation between the two countries.
両外相は、北朝鮮の核問題などに対応するため、日米韓３か国の連携が重要との認識で一致した。岸田外相は、「実務に基づく具体的な協力」を積み重ね、日韓関係の改善に努める考えを示した。
Fix Japan-S. Korea ties
It is not clear what North Korea will do next. Pyongyang has shown its emphasis on a willingness to participate in dialogue by agreeing with South Korea to allow reunions of families separated by the Korean War, while strongly opposing the U.S.-South Korea military exercises scheduled late this month.
北朝鮮の今後の出方は、不透明だ。韓国と朝鮮戦争の離散家族の再会で合意し、対話重視の姿勢を示す一方で、今月下旬の米韓軍事演習には強く反発している。
To urge Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear ambitions, Japan, the United States and South Korea should not march to different drummers. Mutual efforts by both Japan and South Korea are indispensable to repair their bilateral relations, which have become ice-cold due to disputes over the Takeshima islands and the issue of the so-called comfort women.
北朝鮮に核放棄を迫るには日米韓の足並みを乱さないことが重要だ。竹島やいわゆる従軍慰安婦の問題で冷え切った日韓関係の修復へ、双方の努力が欠かせない。
The Japanese and U.S. foreign ministers also agreed to proceed steadily with the transfer of functions of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station to the Henoko district in Okinawa Prefecture, and to start negotiations on a new bilateral treaty to allow environmental field studies at U.S. bases in Japan that are scheduled to be returned to the Japanese government.
外相会談では、米軍普天間飛行場の辺野古移設の着実な進展や、返還予定の在日米軍基地内の環境調査などを可能にする新しい日米協定の交渉の開始で一致した。
The envisaged new treaty is expected to smooth the way for the planned return of U.S. bases in Japan. We hope both governments will reach a conclusion as soon as possible to make stationing of U.S. forces in Japan, a foundation of their deterrence in the Asia-Pacific region, sustainable.
新協定は、基地返還をより円滑に進める効果が期待される。米軍の抑止力の根幹である日本駐留を持続可能なものにするため、早期の合意を目指したい。
Kishida and Kerry also agreed to accelerate bilateral talks in an effort to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact as soon as possible. The negotiations on the trade agreement are now deadlocked.
膠着(こうちゃく)状態にある環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について両外相は、早期妥結に向けて日米協議を加速させることを確認した。
Tokyo and Washington have differing opinions over whether to abolish tariffs on five Japanese farm products. It may be time for the United States to review its commitment to a hard-line policy and demonstrate some flexibility from a common strategic viewpoint shared by Japan and the United States to create a new free trade system in the Asia-Pacific region.
日本の農産品５項目の関税撤廃をめぐる日米対立が続いている。アジア太平洋地域に新たな自由貿易体制を作るという日米共通の戦略的観点から、米国もそろそろ強硬一辺倒の姿勢を見直し、一定の柔軟性を示してもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 9, 2014)
（2014年2月9日00時23分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 08, 2014
Govt must do more to make stance known amid anti-Japan movements
「東海」併記問題 座視できぬ米国での反日活動（2月8日付・読売社説）
With anti-Japan activities by Americans of South Korean ancestry expanding, the Japanese government must be tenacious in making strong counterarguments and taking appropriate responses.
韓国系米国人による反日的な動きがさらに拡大した。日本政府は、粘り強く反論し、適切な対応を取らねばならない。
The Virginia state assembly has approved a bill requiring public school textbooks in the state to refer to the Sea of Japan also as the East Sea, the name the South Korean government insists be used. The bill, which will be enacted after it is signed by the governor, is scheduled to take effect on July 1.
米南部バージニア州の議会が、公立学校の教科書の中で「日本海」と表記する場合には、韓国政府が主張する「東海」を併記するよう求める法案を可決した。州知事の署名で成立し７月１日に発効する見通しだ。
The Sea of Japan is an internationally established name that has also been approved by the U.S. government. In a show of displeasure, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga naturally called the developments in Virginia “extremely regrettable.”
日本海の名称は、国際的に確立され、米政府も認めている。菅官房長官が、「極めて残念」と不快感を表明したのは当然である。
The population of Americans of South Korean ancestry residing in Virginia is the fifth largest among the 50 U.S. states. The state assembly’s move was probably the result of strong lobbying of lawmakers by South Korean-related private organizations.
バージニア州に居住する韓国系米国人の数は、全米５０州の中で５番目に多い。韓国系民間団体が州議会議員らに法案成立への強い圧力をかけた結果なのだろう。
In the 1990s, the South Korean government started to urge the international community to call the body of water the “East Sea,” saying the name “Sea of Japan” became widely used during Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. At present, Seoul asserts that both names should be used.
韓国政府は１９９０年代から、国際社会に対して、日本海は日本の植民地支配の過程で広がった名称だとし、東海への改称を求め始めた。現在では、両方の名称を併記すべきだと主張している。
However, “Sea of Japan” did not become an international standard because of Japan’s colonial rule. According to the Foreign Ministry, a large majority of maps in European nations and the United States were using the Sea of Japan in the first half of the 19th century, before the Meiji Restoration. It is, therefore, impossible to accept South Korea’s unreasonable assertion, which is clearly an attempt to make the rest of the world dance to its tune.
だが、日本海の名称が国際的に定着したのは、植民地支配によるものではない。日本外務省によると、明治維新以前の１９世紀前半の時点で、欧米の地図の大多数が日本海と記している。韓国の言い分は牽強(けんきょう)付会(ふかい)で容認できない。
‘Sea of Japan’ commonly used
Only the “Sea of Japan” is used in a collection of nautical charts by the International Hydrographic Organization, and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names has it as the sole name for the sea.
日本海は、国際水路機関（ＩＨＯ）の海図集では唯一の名称として使われており、米地名委員会も単独名称と定めている。
Of course, some in the Virginia General Assembly opposed the bill, saying state governments should not be involved in debates over the historical geographical names of other nations.
州議会の中にも、州政治が他国の歴史的地名を巡る議論に関わるべきではないと反対する意見があったのはもっともだ。
The Japanese government was by no means standing idle in the face of the movement at the state assembly.
州法案を巡る動きを、日本政府も座視していたわけではない。
Kenichiro Sasae, Japanese ambassador to the United States, has sent a letter to the Virginia governor, expressing concern that the move could hinder economic relations with Japan, and met with him in person to urge him not to enact the bill. Japan also used lobbyists to try to sway the assembly to its side, but to no avail.
佐々江賢一郎駐米大使は、州知事に、日本との経済関係を損ねる恐れがあると懸念する書簡を送ったり、直接面談したりして、法案の成立阻止を図った。ロビイストを使って、州議会にも工作したものの、結果が伴わなかった。
Across the United States, campaigns targeting Japan by South Korean-related private organizations pose a serious concern.
憂慮されるのは、韓国系民間団体が、日本を狙い撃ちする活動を全米で展開していることだ。
There is also a movement in the state of Maryland urging the use of both the Sea of Japan and the East Sea. In California, which has a large population of residents with South Korean origins, a statue dedicated to the so-called comfort women was erected last year. The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, who is from California, has since visited the statue to offer flowers.
「東海」併記を求める動きは、メリーランド州にもある。韓国系の多いカリフォルニア州では、いわゆる従軍慰安婦の少女像が昨年設置され、州内選出の連邦下院外交委員長が献花に訪れた。
As the history of South Korean immigration to the United States is relatively short, such groups still have some allegiance to their origins. If they gain greater political say in the United States, they will be able to back the South Korean government, which is criticizing Japan over historical issues.
韓国系米国人は移民の歴史が浅く、韓国への帰属意識が強い。米国内で政治的発言力を強めれば、歴史問題で日本を非難する韓国政府を後押しすることになる。
The Japanese government, for its part, must make further efforts to make its stance known to the U.S. Congress and public.
日本政府は、米国の議会や世論に対し、自らの立場を主張していく一層の努力が必要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 8, 2014)
（2014年2月8日01時55分 読売新聞）
Govt must do more to make stance known amid anti-Japan movements
「東海」併記問題 座視できぬ米国での反日活動（2月8日付・読売社説）
With anti-Japan activities by Americans of South Korean ancestry expanding, the Japanese government must be tenacious in making strong counterarguments and taking appropriate responses.
韓国系米国人による反日的な動きがさらに拡大した。日本政府は、粘り強く反論し、適切な対応を取らねばならない。
The Virginia state assembly has approved a bill requiring public school textbooks in the state to refer to the Sea of Japan also as the East Sea, the name the South Korean government insists be used. The bill, which will be enacted after it is signed by the governor, is scheduled to take effect on July 1.
米南部バージニア州の議会が、公立学校の教科書の中で「日本海」と表記する場合には、韓国政府が主張する「東海」を併記するよう求める法案を可決した。州知事の署名で成立し７月１日に発効する見通しだ。
The Sea of Japan is an internationally established name that has also been approved by the U.S. government. In a show of displeasure, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga naturally called the developments in Virginia “extremely regrettable.”
日本海の名称は、国際的に確立され、米政府も認めている。菅官房長官が、「極めて残念」と不快感を表明したのは当然である。
The population of Americans of South Korean ancestry residing in Virginia is the fifth largest among the 50 U.S. states. The state assembly’s move was probably the result of strong lobbying of lawmakers by South Korean-related private organizations.
バージニア州に居住する韓国系米国人の数は、全米５０州の中で５番目に多い。韓国系民間団体が州議会議員らに法案成立への強い圧力をかけた結果なのだろう。
In the 1990s, the South Korean government started to urge the international community to call the body of water the “East Sea,” saying the name “Sea of Japan” became widely used during Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. At present, Seoul asserts that both names should be used.
韓国政府は１９９０年代から、国際社会に対して、日本海は日本の植民地支配の過程で広がった名称だとし、東海への改称を求め始めた。現在では、両方の名称を併記すべきだと主張している。
However, “Sea of Japan” did not become an international standard because of Japan’s colonial rule. According to the Foreign Ministry, a large majority of maps in European nations and the United States were using the Sea of Japan in the first half of the 19th century, before the Meiji Restoration. It is, therefore, impossible to accept South Korea’s unreasonable assertion, which is clearly an attempt to make the rest of the world dance to its tune.
だが、日本海の名称が国際的に定着したのは、植民地支配によるものではない。日本外務省によると、明治維新以前の１９世紀前半の時点で、欧米の地図の大多数が日本海と記している。韓国の言い分は牽強(けんきょう)付会(ふかい)で容認できない。
‘Sea of Japan’ commonly used
Only the “Sea of Japan” is used in a collection of nautical charts by the International Hydrographic Organization, and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names has it as the sole name for the sea.
日本海は、国際水路機関（ＩＨＯ）の海図集では唯一の名称として使われており、米地名委員会も単独名称と定めている。
Of course, some in the Virginia General Assembly opposed the bill, saying state governments should not be involved in debates over the historical geographical names of other nations.
州議会の中にも、州政治が他国の歴史的地名を巡る議論に関わるべきではないと反対する意見があったのはもっともだ。
The Japanese government was by no means standing idle in the face of the movement at the state assembly.
州法案を巡る動きを、日本政府も座視していたわけではない。
Kenichiro Sasae, Japanese ambassador to the United States, has sent a letter to the Virginia governor, expressing concern that the move could hinder economic relations with Japan, and met with him in person to urge him not to enact the bill. Japan also used lobbyists to try to sway the assembly to its side, but to no avail.
佐々江賢一郎駐米大使は、州知事に、日本との経済関係を損ねる恐れがあると懸念する書簡を送ったり、直接面談したりして、法案の成立阻止を図った。ロビイストを使って、州議会にも工作したものの、結果が伴わなかった。
Across the United States, campaigns targeting Japan by South Korean-related private organizations pose a serious concern.
憂慮されるのは、韓国系民間団体が、日本を狙い撃ちする活動を全米で展開していることだ。
There is also a movement in the state of Maryland urging the use of both the Sea of Japan and the East Sea. In California, which has a large population of residents with South Korean origins, a statue dedicated to the so-called comfort women was erected last year. The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, who is from California, has since visited the statue to offer flowers.
「東海」併記を求める動きは、メリーランド州にもある。韓国系の多いカリフォルニア州では、いわゆる従軍慰安婦の少女像が昨年設置され、州内選出の連邦下院外交委員長が献花に訪れた。
As the history of South Korean immigration to the United States is relatively short, such groups still have some allegiance to their origins. If they gain greater political say in the United States, they will be able to back the South Korean government, which is criticizing Japan over historical issues.
韓国系米国人は移民の歴史が浅く、韓国への帰属意識が強い。米国内で政治的発言力を強めれば、歴史問題で日本を非難する韓国政府を後押しすることになる。
The Japanese government, for its part, must make further efforts to make its stance known to the U.S. Congress and public.
日本政府は、米国の議会や世論に対し、自らの立場を主張していく一層の努力が必要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 8, 2014)
（2014年2月8日01時55分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun February 07, 2014
Russia should do its utmost to ensure safe Olympic Games
ソチ五輪開幕 平和の祭典でテロを許すな（2月7日付・読売社説）
The Sochi Winter Olympics has kicked off under the threat of potential terrorism. We hope the Games will be held without incident.
テロの脅威にさらされる中での開幕である。大会が無事に行われることを願いたい。
The opening ceremony was set to take place Friday, with athletes from more than 80 countries and territories competing for 98 gold medals in seven sports through Feb. 23.
ソチ冬季五輪は７日、開会式を迎える。２３日までの期間中、８０以上の国・地域から集うアスリートが、７競技９８種目で熱戦を繰り広げる。
In contrast to the glowing touches put into place for the opening of the sports event, the Sochi Olympics has been overshadowed by an Islamist radical group announcing its intention to disrupt the Games through terrorist attacks. It is extraordinary that an Olympics has been made the target of such attacks.
華やかなスポーツの祭典のスタートとは裏腹に、今回の五輪は、重苦しい雰囲気に覆われている。イスラム過激派がテロを予告しているからだ。五輪が標的にされる異例の事態である。
This is the second Olympics that Russia has hosted, following the 1980 Moscow Summer Games during the former Soviet Union days.
ロシアでの五輪開催は、旧ソ連時代のモスクワ夏季五輪（１９８０年）以来、２度目となる。
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan the previous year, and Japan, the United States and many other countries boycotted the Games in protest.
モスクワ五輪の前年、ソ連はアフガニスタンに侵攻した。これに抗議した日米など多くの国が、五輪をボイコットした。
For Russia, which was humiliated by the boycotts at that time, the Sochi Olympics also serve as a major political event. By making the event successful, Russian President Vladimir Putin apparently aims to show that Russia has overcome the confusion following the collapse of the Soviet Union and has revived itself as a major power.
屈辱を味わったロシアにとって、ソチ五輪は威信回復をかけた一大政治イベントと言える。プーチン大統領は、五輪を成功させることで、ロシアがソ連崩壊後の混乱を克服し、大国として復活したとアピールしたいのだろう。
Russia spent about ¥5 trillion for the Winter Games—the most ever in the history of the Olympics—in building event venues and related facilities in Sochi, a resort in the south of the country on the Black Sea coast.
黒海に面した南部の保養地ソチでの競技会場建設などに、五輪史上最大の約５兆円を投じた。
Threat of terrorism
Islamist groups based in neighboring areas, however, oppose the Putin administration’s high-handed political stance toward ethnic minorities. The group that has announced its intention to carry out terrorist attacks has also claimed responsibility for a series of suicide attacks that hit Volgograd, northeast of Sochi, in December.
これに対し、ソチの近隣地域を拠点とするイスラム過激派は、プーチン政権の強権的な少数民族政策に反発している。五輪テロを予告した一派は、昨年１２月にボルゴグラードで起きた連続自爆テロへの関与も認めた。
The tight security surrounding Sochi is proof of the tense situation facing these Olympics. About 40,000 officers have been dispatched from police and other security organizations, while the navy has been put on high alert. Surveillance from the air has also been reinforced.
ソチに敷かれた厳戒態勢が、緊迫した状況を物語る。警察など治安機関から約４万人が動員され、沖合には海軍艦艇が展開する。空からの監視も強化した。
Visitors to the Olympic Village, in which about 6,000 athletes are staying, have to go through stringent ID checks.
約６０００人が滞在する選手村では、徹底した身元チェックや所持品検査が行われている。
Asked about concerns over possible terrorist attacks against the Sochi Games, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has expressed full confidence in the Russian authorities.
国際オリンピック委員会（ＩＯＣ）のバッハ会長は、テロへの懸念について、「ロシアを全面的に信頼している」と語った。
For athletes, the Sochi Olympics will certainly test their mental strength to see how well they can focus on their performances while under such tight security.
選手にとって、ソチ五輪は、ものものしい警備の中で、いかに競技に集中するかという精神力も問われる大会となるだろう。
Japan has sent a delegation of 113 athletes to Sochi, including 65 women. This is the first Winter Games for Japan to send more women athletes than men.
今回、出場する日本選手は１１３人に上る。このうち６５人が女子選手で、冬季五輪では初めて女子選手数が男子を上回った。
In terms of medals, the Japanese team has set a target of surpassing its results at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, where Japan won five gold medals and five silver or bronze medals. The latest squad includes some gold medal hopefuls, such as figure skaters Mao Asada and Yuzuru Hanyu, in addition to Sara Takanashi, who will compete in the Olympics’ first women’s ski jumping event.
目標は、金５個を含む計１０個のメダルを獲得した長野五輪（１９９８年）以上の成績だ。新種目のスキージャンプ女子の高梨沙羅選手、フィギュアスケートの浅田真央、羽生結弦両選手ら金メダルを狙えるメンバーを擁している。
We hope the Japanese athletes fully display their abilities in Sochi.
選手団が実力を存分に発揮することを期待したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 7, 2014)
（2014年2月7日01時34分 読売新聞）
Russia should do its utmost to ensure safe Olympic Games
ソチ五輪開幕 平和の祭典でテロを許すな（2月7日付・読売社説）
The Sochi Winter Olympics has kicked off under the threat of potential terrorism. We hope the Games will be held without incident.
テロの脅威にさらされる中での開幕である。大会が無事に行われることを願いたい。
The opening ceremony was set to take place Friday, with athletes from more than 80 countries and territories competing for 98 gold medals in seven sports through Feb. 23.
ソチ冬季五輪は７日、開会式を迎える。２３日までの期間中、８０以上の国・地域から集うアスリートが、７競技９８種目で熱戦を繰り広げる。
In contrast to the glowing touches put into place for the opening of the sports event, the Sochi Olympics has been overshadowed by an Islamist radical group announcing its intention to disrupt the Games through terrorist attacks. It is extraordinary that an Olympics has been made the target of such attacks.
華やかなスポーツの祭典のスタートとは裏腹に、今回の五輪は、重苦しい雰囲気に覆われている。イスラム過激派がテロを予告しているからだ。五輪が標的にされる異例の事態である。
This is the second Olympics that Russia has hosted, following the 1980 Moscow Summer Games during the former Soviet Union days.
ロシアでの五輪開催は、旧ソ連時代のモスクワ夏季五輪（１９８０年）以来、２度目となる。
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan the previous year, and Japan, the United States and many other countries boycotted the Games in protest.
モスクワ五輪の前年、ソ連はアフガニスタンに侵攻した。これに抗議した日米など多くの国が、五輪をボイコットした。
For Russia, which was humiliated by the boycotts at that time, the Sochi Olympics also serve as a major political event. By making the event successful, Russian President Vladimir Putin apparently aims to show that Russia has overcome the confusion following the collapse of the Soviet Union and has revived itself as a major power.
屈辱を味わったロシアにとって、ソチ五輪は威信回復をかけた一大政治イベントと言える。プーチン大統領は、五輪を成功させることで、ロシアがソ連崩壊後の混乱を克服し、大国として復活したとアピールしたいのだろう。
Russia spent about ¥5 trillion for the Winter Games—the most ever in the history of the Olympics—in building event venues and related facilities in Sochi, a resort in the south of the country on the Black Sea coast.
黒海に面した南部の保養地ソチでの競技会場建設などに、五輪史上最大の約５兆円を投じた。
Threat of terrorism
Islamist groups based in neighboring areas, however, oppose the Putin administration’s high-handed political stance toward ethnic minorities. The group that has announced its intention to carry out terrorist attacks has also claimed responsibility for a series of suicide attacks that hit Volgograd, northeast of Sochi, in December.
これに対し、ソチの近隣地域を拠点とするイスラム過激派は、プーチン政権の強権的な少数民族政策に反発している。五輪テロを予告した一派は、昨年１２月にボルゴグラードで起きた連続自爆テロへの関与も認めた。
The tight security surrounding Sochi is proof of the tense situation facing these Olympics. About 40,000 officers have been dispatched from police and other security organizations, while the navy has been put on high alert. Surveillance from the air has also been reinforced.
ソチに敷かれた厳戒態勢が、緊迫した状況を物語る。警察など治安機関から約４万人が動員され、沖合には海軍艦艇が展開する。空からの監視も強化した。
Visitors to the Olympic Village, in which about 6,000 athletes are staying, have to go through stringent ID checks.
約６０００人が滞在する選手村では、徹底した身元チェックや所持品検査が行われている。
Asked about concerns over possible terrorist attacks against the Sochi Games, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach has expressed full confidence in the Russian authorities.
国際オリンピック委員会（ＩＯＣ）のバッハ会長は、テロへの懸念について、「ロシアを全面的に信頼している」と語った。
For athletes, the Sochi Olympics will certainly test their mental strength to see how well they can focus on their performances while under such tight security.
選手にとって、ソチ五輪は、ものものしい警備の中で、いかに競技に集中するかという精神力も問われる大会となるだろう。
Japan has sent a delegation of 113 athletes to Sochi, including 65 women. This is the first Winter Games for Japan to send more women athletes than men.
今回、出場する日本選手は１１３人に上る。このうち６５人が女子選手で、冬季五輪では初めて女子選手数が男子を上回った。
In terms of medals, the Japanese team has set a target of surpassing its results at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, where Japan won five gold medals and five silver or bronze medals. The latest squad includes some gold medal hopefuls, such as figure skaters Mao Asada and Yuzuru Hanyu, in addition to Sara Takanashi, who will compete in the Olympics’ first women’s ski jumping event.
目標は、金５個を含む計１０個のメダルを獲得した長野五輪（１９９８年）以上の成績だ。新種目のスキージャンプ女子の高梨沙羅選手、フィギュアスケートの浅田真央、羽生結弦両選手ら金メダルを狙えるメンバーを擁している。
We hope the Japanese athletes fully display their abilities in Sochi.
選手団が実力を存分に発揮することを期待したい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 7, 2014)
（2014年2月7日01時34分 読売新聞）
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
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Asahi
Japan Times
Washington Post
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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）
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英字新聞（朝日２）
[ スラチャイ編集の辞書 ]
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ラオ日辞書
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09 一般的なあいづち
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11 強めのあいづち
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