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タイ在住11年目、妻はタイ人、娘が2人、養女が2人

The Yomiuri Shimbun February 06, 2014
4K TVs could power revival of Japanese manufacturing
４Ｋテレビ　日本メーカー復活の原動力に（2月6日付・読売社説）

Market competition over so-called 4K ultrahigh-resolution TVs has grown fierce.
　画像がより繊細な「４Ｋテレビ」を巡る競争が激しくなってきた。

We hope Japanese manufacturers, with their technological prowess, will lead this growth market and make it a driving force for the recovery of their TV businesses.
　日本メーカーは技術力を生かして成長市場を牽(けん)引(いん)し、テレビ事業の復活の起爆剤にしてもらいたい。

The main feature of 4K TVs is their greater number of pixels, which influence the brightness and clarity of images. 4K TVs have as many as about 8 million pixels, four times more than full high-vision TVs.
　４Ｋテレビは、画像の明暗や鮮明さを左右する画素数が、フルハイビジョンの４倍の約８００万もあり、高解像度が売り物だ。

The 4K models that Japanese makers began marketing two to three years ago were mainly large models measuring nearly 80 inches, costing as much as about ¥1 million. As a result, 4K TVs remained far from popular, with global shipments in 2012 below 10,000 units.
　メーカー各社が２～３年前から売り出した機種は、８０型に近い大型が中心で、価格も約１００万円と割高だった。２０１２年の世界出荷台数は１万台弱にとどまり、普及にはほど遠かった。

However, the atmosphere has changed markedly as manufacturers dubbed 2014 the “first year of 4K TVs” and put out new models to fully promote 4K TVs. Their offensive stance has become ever more apparent.
　ムードが一変したのは、各社が本格普及に向け、今年を「４Ｋテレビ元年」と位置づけて、新製品を発表しているためだ。攻めの姿勢が目立ってきたと言える。

Sony Corp. will expand its 4K TV lineup from five models last year to nine this year, ranging from 49-inch to 85-inch TVs. Panasonic Corp., Sharp Corp. and Toshiba Corp. have also put their latest models on the market.
　ソニーは４Ｋテレビを４９～８５型の９機種とし、昨年より倍増させる。パナソニック、シャープ、東芝も最新機種を発表した。

There are expectations within the TV industry that 4K models will account for more than 40 percent of 50-inch and larger models in fiscal 2015. The development of new models that are smaller and more reasonably priced will boost promotion of 4K TVs.
　業界には、１５年度は５０型以上での４Ｋテレビ比率が４割を超えると期待する声がある。より小型で手頃な価格の新商品の開発が、普及への後押しとなるだろう。

Futuristic technology

Sony will shortly put on the U.S. market a small, lightweight 4K video camera for home use. Panasonic has announced a small video camera capable of recording 4K ultrahigh-resolution images as a wearable terminal.
　ソニーは近く、米国で小型軽量の家庭用４Ｋビデオカメラを発売する。パナソニックも、身に着けて利用できる「ウエアラブル端末」として、４Ｋ画質で録画可能な小型ビデオカメラを発表した。

Wearable terminals are expected to record sharp growth among next-generation home appliances. If highly innovative mobile devices featuring 4K ultrahigh-resolution and wearable technology hit the market one after another, the home appliance market is certain to be invigorated further.
　次世代家電の中で、ウエアラブル端末は急成長が見込まれる。４Ｋ技術を生かしたユニークな派生商品が次々と誕生すれば、市場が一段と活気づくに違いない。

South Korean rival Samsung Electronics Co. and Chinese rivals have also announced new models, including 4K models. Even though Japanese makers currently lead the 4K market, they need to be on the alert for a war of attrition in which price-cutting competition will intensify.
　韓国サムスン電子や中国企業などライバルも、４Ｋテレビをはじめとした新製品を発表している。今は日本各社がリードしていても、値下げ競争が激しくなる消耗戦には要警戒である。

Japanese makers were overtaken by their South Korean rivals in the sales battle over flat-panel TVs, the primary factor that sent their TV businesses into the red. They should avoid allowing that to happen again.
　薄型液晶テレビ商戦では、日本各社は韓国勢に追い抜かれ、テレビ事業が赤字に陥る主因となった。その二の舞いは避けたい。

How can they retain their technological superiority and develop such products in anticipation of consumers’ needs, while at the same time enhancing their production efficiency? Japanese manufacturers must apply all their brainpower to win out in the international rivalry.
　技術優位を維持し、消費者ニーズを先取りした商品を開発するとともに、生産効率化をどう図るか。競争を勝ち抜く知恵が要る。

To promote 4K TVs in this country, it is essential to improve the related software, including TV programs that utilize ultrahigh-resolution images.
　もちろん、国内で４Ｋテレビを普及させるには、画質を生かす番組などソフトの充実が必須だ。

Test broadcasting compatible with 4K ultrahigh-resolution is expected to start within the year, but there is a shortage of visual content. TV makers and broadcasting stations need to cooperate to create programs and image software appealing to consumers.
　４Ｋ対応の試験放送が年内にも始まる予定だが、映像コンテンツは不足している。魅力ある番組やソフト作りで、メーカーと放送局などは連携する必要がある。

There is a wide range of supporting industries for the home appliances sector. If Japanese home appliance makers can take the lead in this growth market by wielding their competitiveness, it will also help rejuvenate the Japanese economy.
　家電業界は産業の裾野が広い。日本の各社が競争力を発揮し、成長市場で主導権を握れば、経済再生にも好影響を与えよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 6, 2014)
（2014年2月6日01時16分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun February 5, 2014
Possible collusion in Shinkansen bid-rigging case must be clarified
北陸新幹線談合　官民癒着の徹底解明が必要だ（2月5日付・読売社説）

Do the new allegations over bid-rigging on Shinkansen-related engineering work mean that competitive bidding on infrastructure improvement projects essential for the safety of bullet train services was derailed through a collusive relationship between entities in the public and private sectors? Investigating authorities must uncover the full truth.
　新幹線の安全運行に欠かせないインフラ工事の入札が、官民の癒着でゆがめられていたのか。捜査当局には徹底解明が求められる。

The allegations have arisen over projects to prevent snow damage along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. On Tuesday, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office and the Fair Trade Commission searched offices linked to the case on suspicion of a violation of the Antimonopoly Law. The locations searched by the prosecution’s special investigative squad and the FTC included equipment installation companies that participated in the bidding, as well as the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency (JRTT), a government-affiliated independent administrative institution that placed orders for the projects.
　北陸新幹線の雪害対策工事で談合の疑いが浮上した。東京地検特捜部と公正取引委員会は入札に参加した設備工事会社と、発注元の独立行政法人「鉄道建設・運輸施設整備支援機構」を独占禁止法違反容疑で捜索した。

The projects under investigation cover a route that is being constructed to connect Nagano and Kanazawa along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. The Nagano-Kanazawa route is scheduled to open late in fiscal 2014.
　捜査の対象は、２０１４年度末に開業予定の長野―金沢間の工事だ。

The cost of the projects is to be covered by such resources as national government subsidies and contributions from local governments affected by these plans. If prices tendered for construction projects are exorbitant due to bid-rigging, the corporations involved in the scheme will reap unlawful profits, thus requiring excessive public expenditures.
工事費は、国の補助金や自治体の負担金などで賄う。談合で入札価格がつり上がれば、業者が不正な利益を獲得し、その分、余計な公費が支出される。

Given the seriousness of the latest bid-rigging case, the special investigation team and the FTC had every reason to embark on a probe aimed at establishing the criminal responsibility of the corporations involved and JRTT.
　談合の悪質性を考えれば、特捜部と公取委が刑事責任の追及に乗り出したのは当然と言える。

It will be particularly disconcerting if the case is found to involve collusive bidding at the initiative of such a government-affiliated institution as JRTT.
　特に問題なのは、官製談合だった可能性が高い点だ。

However, this seems likely as bidding on the projects included more than one case in which the price of a successful bid on a construction project was equivalent to 99 percent or more of the price anticipated by JRTT. It is apparent that the prices must have been leaked to potential contractors as the bids on the projects were accepted at prices nearly equal to those JRTT anticipated.
　工事の入札では、予定価格に対する落札額の割合を示す落札率が９９％を超える複数のケースがあった。予定価格にほぼ等しい落札が相次げば、価格が漏洩(ろうえい)されていたと見るのが自然だろう。

Tough penalties

Possible irregularities have been brought to light through the investigative squad’s questioning of some company employees responsible for the bidding procedures. They reportedly told investigators that JRTT officials, who held positions comparable to section chief, gave them hints as to anticipated prices ahead of the bidding sessions.
　これまでの特捜部の任意の事情聴取に対し、一部業者の担当者が、入札前に支援機構支社の課長クラスから予定価格を示唆されたと供述しているという。

Another probable factor behind the latest case is that JRTT wanted to smooth progress in the bidding process so it could complete the construction projects in time for the opening of the Nagano-Kanazawa route. If no bidder had won a contract for a project, it would have taken about two months for a new bidding session to take place. This would have led to delays in the JRTT projects.
　機構側には、北陸新幹線開業に間に合わせるため、入札を円滑に進めたいとの思惑があったとされる。入札が不調に終わると、再入札までに２か月程度かかり、工事の遅れにつながるからだ。

If JRTT put its own convenience ahead of everything else by becoming involved in bid-rigging and accommodating bidders’ interests, it would undermine the essential nature of competitive bidding. It would also impair people’s trust in public works projects.
　こうした自らの都合で、機構が談合に手を染め、業者側に便宜を図れば、入札は骨抜きになる。公共事業に対する信頼も損なう。

In December 2006, the Public Sector Bid-Rigging Prevention Law was revised to impose criminal penalties on public service employees and others. The law would apply to employees at JRTT, an institution wholly financed by the government. We hope the investigative team will carry out a thorough probe into all aspects of the case, including whether top-ranking JRTT officials were involved in the affair.
　官製談合防止法は２００６年１２月の改正で、公務員ら個人への刑事罰が導入された。政府が１００％出資する機構の職員にも適用される。特捜部は、機構上層部の関与の有無を含め、厳正に捜査を進めてもらいたい。

JRTT’s undertakings include construction work on new Shinkansen lines in Hokkaido and Kyushu in addition to the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Prompt measures should be taken to determine whether there were any suspicions about bidding for projects on these lines. It is also essential to confirm whether JRTT is properly managing information about its anticipated prices.
　支援機構は、北陸新幹線のほかにも、北海道や九州の整備新幹線の建設工事を手がけている。不自然な入札はなかったか、予定価格の情報管理は適正に行われているか。早急に再点検すべきだ。

The latest case has highlighted the depth of industry-wide collusion. The targets of Tuesday’s search included a large corporation that has expertise in installing snow-melting equipment.
　業界ぐるみの談合体質の根深さも浮き彫りになった。捜索を受けた会社には、融雪設備工事のノウハウを持つ大手が含まれる。

The latest bid-rigging case is not an isolated one in the engineering industry. In 2006, action was taken in a case involving an order placed by the now-defunct Defense Facilities Administration Agency for air-conditioning equipment installation work.
　この業界では、０６年にも当時の防衛施設庁発注の空調設備工事で、談合が摘発された。

All corporations in the engineering industry need to eliminate collusive relationships and comply with the law.
　業界全体で馴(な)れ合いを排し、法令順守を徹底する必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 5, 2014)
（2014年2月5日01時37分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun February 3, 2014
Sumo association must work hard as new entity to win support of public
相撲協会改革　公益法人に恥じぬ組織運営を（2月3日付・読売社説）

Now that it has become a public interest incorporated foundation, the Japan Sumo Association must make the most of this opportunity to transform itself into an organization with a self-purifying power.
　公益財団法人への移行を機に、自浄能力を持つ組織に生まれ変わることが求められる。

The Cabinet Office has certified the association as a public interest incorporated foundation, and the association has officially registered itself as the new type of legal entity.
　内閣府は、日本相撲協会を公益財団法人に認定した。協会は登記手続きを行い、新法人に移行した。

The sumo world was rocked by a series of scandals, including the fatal assault of a sumo wrestler by stablemates, gambling on baseball, and bout-fixing. The association has been told by such entities as the sports ministry, which has jurisdiction over the JSA, to implement organizational reform, greatly delaying the procedures for the transformation into the new incorporated foundation.
　相撲界は、力士の暴行死事件や野球賭博、八百長問題など、相次ぐ不祥事に揺れた。相撲協会は所管の文部科学省などから組織改革を求められ、移行への手続きが大幅に遅れていた。

With its new status, the JSA will continue to be entitled to preferential tax treatment, and revenue from the grand tournaments and tournaments in provinces will remain tax-exempt.
　従来、公益法人だった相撲協会は、新制度に基づく公益財団法人に認定されたことで、今後も税の優遇措置を受けられる。本場所や巡業の収入は非課税扱いだ。

While taking to heart its responsibility of carrying on the tradition of sumo wrestling, the JSA had to make an effort to enhance the transparency of its businesses.
　大相撲の伝統を継承していく責務を肝に銘じ、事業の透明性向上に努めねばならない。

The most typical example of its opaqueness is the issue of how to deal with the JSA’s “elder shares.”
　不透明な実態の最たる例が、年寄名跡の扱いだ。

At present, there are 107 elder shares. Unless a sumo wrestler obtains an elder share upon retirement, he cannot become a stablemaster.
現在、１０７の年寄名跡がある。これを保有しなければ、力士引退後、親方になることはできない。

Trade of elder shares

Elder shares have been traded for huge amounts of money. There are said to have been such deals involving several hundred millions of yen. Generally speaking, the trading of rights to gain income from the association as a stablemaster is a custom hard to understand.
　年寄名跡は高額で売買されてきた。億単位の金銭のやり取りもあったとされる。親方として協会から収入を得る権利の売買は、一般的には理解し難い慣習だ。

In its switch to a public interest incorporated foundation, the JSA has stipulated, in its articles of association, that the elder shares are to be placed under its centralized control. Elders who are to retire are able to recommend their replacement, but the transfer of money is prohibited at the time of succession. Those who violate the rule will be severely punished.
　公益財団法人への移行にあたり、相撲協会は年寄名跡を協会で一括管理することを定款に明記した。退任する年寄は、後継者を推薦できる一方で、継承に際し、金銭の授受は禁止される。違反者は厳重処分を受ける。

This is a step forward, but a concern remains. Those who succeed to an elder’s name can pay a “guidance fee” to a former elder for advice on how to manage a stable, on condition of notifying the JSA.
　一歩前進であるが、懸念は残る。名跡の襲名者は、部屋運営のノウハウなどを学ぶため、協会に申告するのを条件に、前親方に指導料を支払うことができる。

Will the trade of elder shares effectively continue under the guise of guidance fees? The JSA must develop a strict system to scrutinize this possibility.
　指導料が隠れみのとなって、名跡売買が実質的に続くことになりはしないか。協会の厳格なチェック体制の整備が必要である。

It is praiseworthy that the relationship between the JSA and each stable has been clarified. With regards to the training of sumo wrestlers, the association will conclude a commission contract with stablemasters.
　協会と各部屋の関係を明確にした点は評価できる。力士の養成に関し、協会は、部屋の親方と委託契約を結ぶ仕組みになる。

When irregularities occurred in the past, the association often tried to put an end to scandals by blaming the stables, saying, for instance, “The stablemaster’s way of nurturing the wrestler was wrong.” From now on, the association’s responsibility to consign training of wrestlers outside stables will be put to the test.
　不祥事の際、協会は「親方の教育が悪い」などと、各部屋の責任にして幕引きを図ることが多かった。今後は契約上の委託元として、協会の責任も問われよう。

The form of the JSA’s council of the board of trustees, the highest decision-making organization for the incorporated foundation, will also change. The majority of the five- to seven-member council will comprise outside experts. It is important to respect the opinions of those outside the sumo world to correct long-standing evils.
　最高意思決定機関である評議員会の形態も変わる。５～７人のメンバーの過半数が外部有識者となる。角界外の意見を尊重し、旧弊を改善することが肝要だ。

For the JSA to win public support as an entity to operate the “national sport,” sumo wrestlers must give performances to meet the public expectations. Hopes are growing for the advent of a Japanese yokozuna. We hope both the JSA and sumo stables will make further efforts in fostering strong sumo wrestlers.
　「国技」の運営母体として、協会が国民から支持されるには、土俵の充実が欠かせない。日本人横綱を待望する声は高まっている。協会と各部屋は、強い力士の養成に一層、力を注いでほしい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 3, 2014)
（2014年2月3日01時48分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun February 2, 2014
Suntory shows remarkable ambition by making huge acquisition abroad
大型企業買収　国際化に布石打つサントリー（2月2日付・読売社説）

While waging a war of attrition in the shrinking domestic market, a company relying mainly on domestic demand has gone on the offensive abroad in an effort to boost growth.
　縮小する国内市場で消耗戦を展開している内需型企業が、海外での成長に活路を見いだす「攻めの戦略」を決断した。

Suntory Holdings Ltd. has announced it will purchase Beam Inc., the largest spirits company in the United States, for $16 billion (about ¥1.6 trillion). It is the biggest overseas acquisition undertaken in Japan’s food industry.
　サントリーホールディングスが米蒸留酒最大手のビーム社を１６０億ドル（約１・６兆円）で買収し、完全子会社化すると発表した。食品業界では、過去最大規模の海外企業買収である。

Beam is known for a broad lineup of products, including such famous bourbon whiskeys as Jim Beam, as well as vodka and tequila. The company’s sales outlets have spread extensively around the world, including Russia and Brazil.
　ビーム社は、「ジムビーム」などの有名ウイスキーのほか、ウオツカやテキーラなど品ぞろえが豊富だ。ロシアやブラジルなどにも販路を広げている。

The takeover will make Suntory the world’s third-largest maker of distilled drinks in terms of revenue, up from 10th place.
　買収によってサントリーは、蒸留酒の売り上げで世界１０位から３位の企業に浮上する。

It seems Suntory has taken the acquisition action to strengthen its business operations in the United States and emerging economies by making effective use of Beam’s high brand recognition and international marketing networks.
　ビーム社の高いブランド力と、国際的な販売網を活用し、米国や新興国への事業展開を一気に強化する狙いがあるのだろう。

The earnings potential of domestic beverage firms has been dwindling because of intensifying price competition in addition to a shrinking market due to the nation’s graying society and low birthrate.
　少子高齢化に伴う市場の縮小に加え、価格競争の激化で国内の収益環境は厳しい。

In contrast, the number of middle-income consumers has been on the rise in China and the emerging economies in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. Prospects for expanding sales in these areas are bright for whiskey and other relatively high-priced alcoholic drinks.
　対照的に海外市場では、中国や東南アジア諸国などの新興国で中間所得層が増加している。ウイスキーなど比較的高額なアルコール飲料の販売拡大が見込まれる。

Suntory’s strategy of pursuing the goal of morphing into a global company by swiftly building a foothold overseas by putting a powerful foreign firm under its control can be said to be in line with the needs of the times.
　有力企業を傘下に置いて海外進出の足場を迅速に築き、グローバル企業への脱皮を目指そうという戦略は時代の要請だろう。

The cash needed for the takeover, ¥1.6 trillion, is massive enough to be close to the Suntory group’s annual sales.
　ただ、１・６兆円は、サントリー・グループ全体の年間売上高に迫る金額である。

Promising option

A number of market analysts point out that the huge corporate acquisition may prove to be a bad bargain, saying Suntory’s management has taken a major gamble.
市場では、巨額買収は「割高な買い物だ」として、今回の経営判断を大きな賭けと見る向きも少なくない。

To prevent its investment from becoming a gigantic burden, Suntory must further enhance its operational efficiency and boost profitability.
　サントリーは、大規模投資が重荷とならぬよう、一層の経営効率化や増収を図る必要がある。

All member firms of the Suntory group must act together to craft a marketing strategy by taking the global market into account, while at the same time exercising ingenuity to develop new products and reduce distribution costs. These efforts are essential to take full advantage of the acquisition.
　グループ一体で世界市場をにらんだ販売戦略を練り、商品開発や物流コストの削減を進めるべきだ。それが買収メリットを最大限に引き出すことになる。

On the strength of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s business expansion policy, signs are emerging that the national economy is picking up. All businesses have been thinking hard about how to expand markets for their key merchandise.
　安倍政権の経済政策「アベノミクス」によって日本経済は上向いてきた。戦略商品の販路拡大に各企業が知恵を絞っている。

In the eyes of companies seeking to grow, the purchase of overseas firms like that by Suntory is one of the most promising options.
　成長を目指す企業にとって、サントリーのような海外企業の買収は有力な選択肢となろう。

We hope to see companies in such sectors as the food industry and distribution services accelerating their moves to tap demand abroad, particularly in other Asian countries.
食品や流通業界は、アジアなどの外需取り込みを狙った動きをさらに加速することが求められる。

As the yen is likely to remain weak, there are concerns that the cost of corporate acquisitions may swell. Because of the effects of the Bank of Japan’s monetary easing policy, however, companies are favorably positioned to secure funding from financial institutions.
　円安定着で円建ての買収金額が膨らむことが懸念されるものの、日本銀行による大胆な金融緩和の効果により、企業が金融機関から資金を調達しやすい環境にあることも追い風である。

Companies should consider the current state of affairs a good opportunity to improve their operations by breaking away from their inward-looking mode of thinking and make a leap forward in the global arena.
　企業は事業拡大の好機ととらえ、内向き志向から脱し、グローバルに飛躍してもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 2, 2014)
（2014年2月2日01時25分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun February 1, 2014
Female researcher’s innovative idea leads to breakthrough discovery
ＳＴＡＰ細胞　理系女子の発想が常識覆した（2月1日付・読売社説）

An international research team’s discovery of a new method for obtaining pluripotent cells represents an epoch-making achievement that may defy well-established theories in biology.
　生物学の常識を覆す画期的な発見である。

The team, led by Haruko Obokata of the Kobe-based Riken Center for Developmental Biology and including researchers from Harvard University in the United States, has successfully produced pluripotent cells that can grow into mature tissues or organs of any sort.
　理化学研究所の小保方晴子さんのほか、米ハーバード大などのチームが新たな手法で、様々な組織や臓器の細胞に育つ「万能細胞」を作り出すことに成功した。

Lymphocytes collected from mice were bathed in acid solution to produce the cells. They were also created through another method of applying stimulus to mouse lymphocytes by exposing them to toxins or passing them through a narrow glass tube.
　マウスの細胞（リンパ球）を弱い酸性の液に漬けた。毒素を加えたり、細いガラス管に通したりと別の刺激でも作製できた。

If the new method proves successful for human cells, it could be applied for regenerative medicine to bring damaged tissue or organs back to health. We want to laud the new discovery for opening up a wide array of possibilities.
　ヒトの細胞でも成功すれば、傷んだ組織や臓器を蘇(よみがえ)らせる再生医療に応用できる。幅広い可能性を開く成果を称(たた)えたい。

The team calls the new method “stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (STAP)” and the cells it produces “STAP cells.”
　研究チームは、こうして作り出した万能細胞を「ＳＴＡＰ細胞」と呼んでいる。ＳＴＡＰとは、「刺激によって引き起こされた多能性の獲得」という意味だ。

Many living things start with fertilized eggs that differentiate into tissues and organs. It was conventionally believed that differentiated tissues could not return to the undifferentiated state of a fertilized egg. So it is no wonder that STAP cells have captured the world’s attention.
　生物は、受精卵から始まり、組織や臓器に分化していく。分化後は受精卵に逆戻りしないとされてきただけに、ＳＴＡＰ細胞に世界が注目するのはうなずける。

The team contributed the initial version of its research paper to a science journal last year. But thanks to highly unexpected method for producing pluripotent cells, the publisher swiftly sent it back, reportedly saying that the paper mocked the history of cell biology. Undaunted, team leader Obokata and other researchers tenaciously pushed on with experiments to reinforce the data, thereby realizing the publication of their discovery in the journal.
　意外な手法に、研究チームが一昨年、科学誌に論文を初投稿した時は「細胞生物学の歴史を愚弄している」と突き返された。だが、研究リーダーの小保方さんたちは粘り強く実験を重ね、データを補強して発表にこぎ着けた。

There are two other well-known types of such versatile cells: embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Production of these two types of pluripotent cells requires going through a complicated process, including gene manipulation.
　万能細胞には、ＥＳ細胞（胚性幹細胞）やｉＰＳ細胞（人工多能性幹細胞）がある。作製には遺伝子操作など複雑な工程を経る。

The STAP cell, which is a third type of pluripotent cell, can be produced by utilizing the latent potential inherent in living cells.
　これに対し、「第３の万能細胞」であるＳＴＡＰ細胞は、生物の細胞にもともと備わった能力を生かして作られる。

Fleshing out the process

What happens to the cells after they are stimulated? A detailed elucidation of the mechanisms behind the process is an important task to tackle in the future. Such findings could be expected to contribute to research into the mechanisms that cause the growing and aging of living things as well as diseases.
　刺激を加えたことで細胞に何が起きたか。その詳しい仕組みの解明が今後の重要課題だ。生物の成長と老化、病気の仕組みの探求にも貢献するだろう。

Behind this breakthrough discovery is the priority assistance given to research on regenerative medicine by the government. The Riken Center for Developmental Biology, to which Obokata belongs, is a research center for regenerative medicine established with such government aid.
　今回の成果の背景には、政府が再生医療研究を重点支援してきたことがある。小保方さんが所属している理研発生・再生科学総合研究センター（神戸市）も政府が整備した再生医療の研究拠点だ。

International competition in the field is fierce, and the government’s continued assistance will be a must.
　この分野の国際競争は激しい。引き続き支援が必要だ。

At 30, Obokata is still a young researcher. She will be a role model for young researchers in displaying creative power and building cooperative relationships with veteran researchers.
　小保方さんはまだ３０歳の若い研究者だ。発想力に加え、ベテラン研究者と協力関係を築く行動力など若手研究者の模範となろう。

Her achievement may encourage other female researchers and women majoring in the sciences who aspire to become researchers.
　女性研究者や、研究者を目指している理系女子「リケジョ」の励みになるかもしれない。

Women account for a mere 14 percent of researchers in Japan today, the lowest ratio among industrialized countries. The government’s basic plan for science and technology targets boosting that figure to 30 percent, but many women still leave work in research laboratories after having children and for other reasons.
　日本の女性研究者の比率は１４％にすぎず、先進国で最低だ。政府の科学技術基本計画は３０％を目標に掲げるが、出産などを機に研究現場を去る女性は多い。

Needless to say, family support is crucial to female researchers. So are good government policies to aid them.
家族の協力はもちろん、リケジョの活躍を後押しする政策が重要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 1, 2014)
（2014年2月1日01時37分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun January 31, 2014
FRB must carry out ‘exit strategy’ on quantitative easing prudently
新興国通貨安　ＦＲＢは「出口戦略」を慎重に（1月31日付・読売社説）

The currencies of emerging markets have been sharply dropping across the board, threatening to cause a global stock market crash.
　新興国通貨が軒並み急落し、世界同時株安の様相を呈している。

The stock market turmoil was triggered by the downscaling of U.S. quantitative monetary easing, and efforts must be made to prevent side effects of the turmoil from expanding while aiming to achieve market stabilization.
　発端は米国の量的緩和策の縮小である。副作用の拡大を防ぎ、市場安定を図ることが求められよう。

　米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が、金融危機後に導入した量的緩和策第３弾（ＱＥ３）をさらに縮小することを決めた。米国債などの毎月の購入規模を１００億ドル減らし、２月から６５０億ドル（約６・７兆円）とする。

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board has decided to further shrink its Quantitative Easing program 3 (QE3)—the third of its kind, adopted in September 2012 in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.
The FRB will cut its monthly purchases of bonds and other assets beginning in February by $10 billion to $65 billion (about ¥6.7 trillion).
The decision to reduce asset purchases has been made for two consecutive months since the FRB launched a QE3 exit strategy in December.
　昨年１２月、ＱＥ３の「出口戦略」に踏み出して以来、購入規模の減額決定は２か月連続である。

In a statement, the U.S. central bank notes that “growth in economic activity picked up in recent months” and “household spending and business fixed investment advanced more quickly in recent months.”
　ＦＲＢは声明で、「経済活動は上向いてきた。失業率が低下し、個人消費と企業投資の勢いが増した」と指摘した。

The Federal Reserve presumably deemed it proper to step forward in decreasing asset purchases as it has become more confident regarding business recovery.
　景気回復の動きに自信を深めたＦＲＢは、もう一歩踏み出すことが妥当と判断したのだろう。

The statement revealed anew that the FRB will “make a further measured reduction in the pace of its asset purchase.” The QE3 is expected to conclude before the end of this year.
　声明は、今後について、一定のペースで規模縮小を進める方針を改めて明らかにした。年内にもＱＥ３の終了が見込まれる。

Of concern is the fact that investment money abundant in emerging economies due to the U.S. quantitative easing will flow out of those nations in search of higher returns in the United States, leading to selling of their currencies.
　ただ、懸念されるのは、新興国にあふれていた「緩和マネー」が、ＱＥ３縮小とともに引き揚げられて米国などに逆流し、新興国通貨が売られていることだ。

Steps to defend currencies

The value of Argentina’s currency, the peso, plunged last week. In a chain reaction, the currency values of Turkey, Brazil, India and Indonesia also depreciated.
　先週、アルゼンチン通貨ペソが急落した。それが連鎖し、トルコ、ブラジル、インド、インドネシアなどの通貨も下落している。

In an effort to defend their currencies, the central banks of Turkey and India raised key interest rates to prevent investment money from fleeing their borders. South Africa followed suit by increasing interest rates for the first time in 5½ years.
　自国通貨を防衛しようと、トルコとインドの中央銀行が政策金利を引き上げ、投資マネーの引き留めを狙ったのに続き、南アフリカも約５年半ぶりに利上げした。

Owing to these emergency measures, monetary uncertainty seems to have abated, but the tendency for currencies of emerging economies to be sold remains, thus leaving optimism unwarranted.
　こうした緊急策によって、ひとまず通貨安は一服した模様だが、新興国通貨が売られやすい状況は続いており、楽観は禁物だ。

Since the financial crisis, emerging economies have served as a driving force for the world economy, backed by their high economic growth.
　金融危機後、成長著しい新興国は世界経済を牽引(けんいん)してきた。

However, there is a strong sense of wariness toward countries like Argentina, which has been suffering from high prices and current account deficits due to a slowdown in its economy. There is no denying that such countries have been targeted by market investors.
だが、最近は景気が減速し、物価高や経常赤字にも苦しむアルゼンチンなどへの警戒感は強い。市場に狙い撃ちされている面が否めない。

Emerging economies face a dilemma in that if they raise rates to defend their currencies, it will lead to a business slowdown.
　新興国が通貨防衛のために利上げすれば、かえって景気を冷やすというジレンマも抱える。

Drops in stock prices have not ceased in New York, Tokyo and elsewhere likely out of a sense of uncertainty over emerging economies, which has been rattling the markets.
　ニューヨークや東京、アジアなどの株価下落が止まらないのも、新興国経済への不安感が市場を揺るがしているからだろう。

Future focus will be on the pace at which the FRB will promote an exit strategy to phase out quantitative easing. Janet Yellen, who will replace Ben Bernanke as FRB chairman Saturday, will bear a heavy responsibility in this regard.
　今後の焦点は、ＦＲＢが出口戦略を進めるペースだ。バーナンキ議長の後任として１日に就任するイエレン新議長の責任は重い。

The exit strategy must be implemented meticulously so that rapid shrinkage of monetary easing does not cause confusion in global stock and exchange markets. To this end, having a “dialogue with markets” will be an indispensable step.
　出口戦略は、急ピッチな緩和縮小で世界の株式・為替市場の混乱を招かないよう、慎重な舵(かじ)取りが欠かせない。「市場との対話」を工夫してもらいたい

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 31, 2014)
（2014年1月31日01時18分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun January 30, 2014
Obama makes only brief reference to Asia in State of Union address
オバマ氏演説　そっけなかった「アジア重視」（1月30日付・読売社説）

U.S. President Barack Obama stressed on Tuesday night that he would put priority on supporting middle-class Americans, and promised to create more jobs and alleviate income disparities between rich and poor. It was apparently a speech aimed at restoring his floundering approval rate ahead of midterm elections in November.
　中間所得層への支援を優先課題に掲げ、雇用創出や所得格差是正の実現を約束した。１１月の中間選挙に向け、低迷する支持率の回復を意識した演説と言えるだろう。

In his annual State of the Union address, a policy speech for the year, Obama expressed his strong determination to make 2014 “a year of action.”
　オバマ米大統領が、１年間の施政方針を示す一般教書演説を行って、今年を「行動の年」と位置づけた。固い決意がうかがえる。

Obama last year had a harsh confrontation with the Republican Party, which controls the House of Representatives, which resulted in a partial shutdown of government functions. He had a series of failures in both domestic and foreign affairs that temporarily sunk his approval rate to its lowest level since his inauguration.
　オバマ氏は、下院を支配する共和党と激しく対立し、政府機能の一部停止という事態を招いた。内政、外交とも失点続きで、支持率が一時は、就任以来最低の水準にまで落ち込んだ。

If his Democratic Party slips to a minority in both houses of Congress in this year’s mid-term elections, the Obama administration is certain to be rendered ineffectual for the remainder of its term. The question is what strategy he will use to recoup the lost ground.
　中間選挙で、民主党が上下両院で少数党に転落すれば、政権のレームダック化は決定的だ。巻き返しへの戦略が問われている。

Obama stressed in the speech what he has accomplished regarding the recovery of the U.S. economy after the financial crisis. He then proposed minimum wage hikes in consideration of low-income earners who have not yet benefited from the economic recovery. He also referred to the expansion of job opportunities with the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement and immigration reform.
　オバマ氏は演説で、金融危機後の経済再生の成果を強調した上で景気回復の恩恵を得ていない低所得者層に配慮し、最低賃金引き上げを提案した。環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）に伴う雇用拡大や移民制度改革も表明した。

All of these are policies that would help cement the support base for Democrats.
　いずれも、民主党の支持基盤固めにつながる政策だ。

Confrontation with GOP

It is noteworthy that Obama said he would use executive orders if his bills are not passed in Congress. Even if Republicans refuse to raise minimum wages, Obama stressed he would issue an executive order to raise the wages of some federal contract workers.
　特に注目されるのは、議会で法案が可決されない場合、大統領令を発すると述べたことだ。最低賃金引き上げを共和党が拒んでも、連邦政府契約職員に限っては、大統領令で引き上げるという。

This illustrates a point of conflict between his party and Republicans. But the GOP has reacted sharply against Obama, criticizing him for disrespecting Congress. There is concern that confrontation between the two parties will intensify.
　共和党との対立軸を鮮明にした形だが、共和党は早くも「議会軽視」と強く反発した。対立はかえって先鋭化する恐れがある。

Obama made relatively fewer references to foreign and security policies, as compared to domestic issues, as this is an election year. The president stressed U.S. combat troops will withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of this year and the U.S. war against terrorism “will finally be over.” But we hope Obama will maintain all possible measures against terrorism even after U.S. forces leave the country.
　選挙の年だけに、内政が重視され、外交・安全保障政策への言及は比較的少なかった。
　アフガニスタンに駐留する米軍戦闘部隊が今年末に撤収し、テロとの戦いが「ようやく終わる」と強調した。撤収後もテロ対策には万全を期してもらいたい。

Apparently with the so-called shale gas revolution in mind, the president also stressed “America is closer to energy independence.” But it would be a problem if this makes the United States less interested in Middle East affairs.
　エネルギー問題では、「シェールガス革命」を念頭に、「エネルギー自給に近づいた」と述べた。これが、中東への米国の関心の減退につながっては困る。

Obama also said: “We will continue to focus on the Asia-Pacific, where we support our allies [and] shape a future of greater security and prosperity.” The president clearly said he maintains a foreign policy with emphasis on Asia, but his reference to the region remained brief and dry.
　アジア太平洋については「引き続き、重視し、同盟国を支え、より安全で繁栄した未来を形作っていく」と主張した。「アジア重視」政策の継続は言明したものの、そっけない表現にとどまった。

For the second straight year, Obama did not attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit meeting. We wonder how he will realize the United States’ “focus” on the region.
　オバマ氏はアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議を２年続けて欠席した。「重視」をどう具体化していくのだろうか。

With the rise of China, closer unity among the United States and its Asian allies, including Japan, is now needed more than ever before.
　中国の台頭を受け、米国と、日本など同盟国との結束が今ほど必要なときはない。

Obama should demonstrate his leadership more clearly during his tour of Asian countries scheduled for this spring.
オバマ氏は今春のアジア歴訪で、指導力を一層発揮することが求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 30, 2014)
（2014年1月30日01時35分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun January 29, 2014
Manuals should help educate students about Senkakus, Takeshima
学習指導解説書　「尖閣」「竹島」の明記を起点に（1月29日付・読売社説）

It is essential for children in this country to be encouraged to acquire an accurate knowledge about Japanese territory, given that they will become a pillar of our future.
　日本の将来を担う子供たちに、領土に関する正しい知識を習得させることが大切である。

The education ministry has revised instruction manuals for its course of study for middle and high schools to state that the Senkaku Islands and Takeshima islets constitute “inherent parts of our nation’s territory.” The reference is the first of its kind to be included in the teaching manuals devised by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry.
　文部科学省が、中学校と高校の学習指導要領の解説書に、尖閣諸島と竹島を初めて「我が国固有の領土」と明記する改定を行った。

The new manuals also reiterate our nation’s stance on the Senkaku Islands, which this country has placed, in effect, under state control. Students “need to understand there exists no territorial issue to be resolved,” the manuals say.
　日本が実効支配する尖閣諸島については、「解決すべき領有権の問題は存在しないことを理解させる必要がある」とも言及した。

Despite an increasing number of school textbooks that refer to the Senkakus and Takeshima, some textbooks still do not mention these islands.
　尖閣諸島や竹島について言及した教科書が増えてきたとはいえ、いまだに記述がない教科書も一部に残っている。

Though the ministry’s instruction manuals are not legally binding unlike its course of study, the former serves as a guide for publishing houses as they edit textbooks, as well as for teachers when they give lessons. We hope the latest revision of the manuals will ensure all textbooks include appropriate references to the Senkakus and Takeshima.
　解説書は、指導要領のように法的拘束力はないが、出版社の教科書編集や教師が授業を行う際の指針となる。今回の改定により、どの教科書にも適切な記述が盛り込まれることが期待される。

The education ministry has every reason to improve the quality of teaching programs on the nation’s territorial integrity, based on the government’s official views on relevant issues. Doing so is also significant for producing people capable of presenting our nation’s position in the international community.
　政府見解に基づいて、領土教育の充実を図るのは、文科省として当然のことだ。国際社会で日本の立場を主張できる人材を育成する上でも意味があろう。

The previous instruction manuals stated that the group of Takeshima islets should be included as part of geographic learning in middle school social studies classes. In doing so, however, the manuals avoided using such a direct phrase as “inherent [part of our] territory.” Such an evasive approach was also evident in the manuals for high school geography.
　従来の解説書では、竹島について、中学社会科の地理的分野で触れるよう求めていたが、「固有の領土」という直接的な表現は避けていた。

The latter manuals only stated that the study of Takeshima should “be based on middle school studies.”
高校の地理では「中学校における学習を踏まえる」としか記述されていなかった。

Neither the previous manuals for middle school studies nor those for high schools included any reference to the Senkakus.
　尖閣諸島に関しては、中高いずれも言及されていなかった。

Misleading notion

There is no denying that the manuals gave schoolteachers and administrators a misleading notion about territorial issues facing this country, prompting them to think that such problems should not necessarily be given importance.
　こうした解説書の内容が、領土問題を必ずしも重視しなくても構わないといった誤解を教育現場に与えた面は否定できない。

Our nation established its claim over Takeshima no later than the mid-17th century—during the early Edo period (1603-1867). In 1905, Takeshima was annexed to Shimane Prefecture, based on a decision made to that effect by the Cabinet.
　竹島は、遅くとも江戸時代初期の１７世紀半ばに日本が領有権を確立し、１９０５年に閣議決定を経て、島根県に編入した。

However, a turnaround came in 1952, when South Korea unilaterally drew the so-called Syngman Rhee Line, which contained the Takeshima islets. That country has since unlawfully occupied the islets.
ところが、韓国が５２年、竹島を取り込む形で一方的に「李承晩ライン」を設定し、不法占拠を続けている。

In January 1895, Japan incorporated the Senkaku Islands into its territory after establishing that areas under China’s control did not include them. The event preceded the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which ended the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95.
　尖閣諸島は、１８９５年１月、中国の支配が及んでいないことを確認した上で領土に編入した。これは、日清戦争を終結させた下関条約の調印前のことである。

In the 1970s and later, China laid claim to the Senkakus. The Chinese assertion came after it had been found that there were oil deposits in waters around the islands.
　中国側が領有権を主張し始めたのは、周辺海域で石油埋蔵が判明した後の１９７０年代以降だ。

Japanese students need to be properly taught that their government’s views on the Senkakus and Takeshima have legitimate grounds reflecting these historical developments, seen from the standpoint of international law.
　こうした歴史的経緯を踏まえ、日本政府の見解が国際法上、正当な根拠に基づくことを生徒にきちんと教える必要がある。

The South Korean government has issued a statement demanding the Japanese government to “immediately retract” the latest revisions to the instruction manuals. The Chinese government has also become more strongly antagonistic by the Japanese action.
　今回の改定に対し、韓国政府は「直ちに撤回することを求める」との声明を発表した。中国政府も反発を強めている。

What kind of education should a nation give its children with regard to its territory, which is part and parcel of its sovereignty? That is an internal matter of that country. No other nation should interfere over such an issue.
　国の主権にかかわる領土について、どのような教育を行うか。それは内政上の問題である。他国が口を挟むべきものではない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 29, 2014)
（2014年1月29日01時50分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun January 28, 2014
High school students should receive better education in Japanese history
日本史必修化　自国の軌跡を深く学びたい（1月28日付・読売社説）

To cultivate their identity as Japanese, students should receive an adequate education in Japanese history.
　日本人としてのアイデンティティーを育んでいくためには、日本史の教育が欠かせない。

Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Hakubun Shimomura announced that his ministry will study the possibility of making Japanese history a compulsory subject at high schools. By referring the idea to the Central Council for Education for deliberation, the minister hopes to realize the idea in five or six years’ time.
　下村文部科学相が、高校の日本史の必修化を検討する考えを表明した。中央教育審議会に諮問し、早ければ５～６年後の実施を目指すという。

For mapping out the future of Japan, it is essential for young people to study Japanese history. It is also important for them to be able to exhibit pride in the history of their own country. Making Japanese history compulsory at high schools is reasonable.
　日本の将来を考える上で、日本の歴史を学ぶことが必要だ。若者が自国の歴史に誇りを持てるようにすることも大切だ。日本史必修化の方向性は妥当だろう。

As globalization advances, there will be more opportunities for Japanese to talk about their country’s culture and other things abroad.
　国際化が進み、日本人が海外で自国の文化などを語る機会が増えてくる。

The idea of making the subject compulsory at high schools indicates a sense of crisis over the lack of education required to produce internationally minded people.
必修化の検討は、国際人の基盤となる教養が足りないことへの危機感の表れとも言える。

When school teaching guidelines were revised in 1989, social studies at high schools were divided into “geography and history” and “civics.” When studying “geography and history,” world history is compulsory. In addition, a student has to choose either Japanese history or geography as an elective subject.
　高校の「社会科」は、１９８９年の学習指導要領改定で、現行の「地理歴史」と「公民」に分かれた。地理歴史の中では、世界史が必修で、併せて、日本史か地理のいずれかを選択履修するという取り扱いになっている。

As a result, 30 percent to 40 percent of high school students in Japan are believed to graduate from high school without a sufficient grounding in Japanese history.
　その結果、高校生の３～４割は日本史を学ばないまま高校を卒業していると推定される。

Although students are supposed to have studied the basics of Japanese history in primary and middle schools, it is problematic that many students have no opportunity to deepen their knowledge of Japanese history in high school.
　義務教育段階で一通り、日本の歴史を履修しているとはいえ、高校で理解を深める機会を持たない生徒が少なくないのは問題だ。

Many problems remain

Making Japanese history a compulsory high school subject has been urged by local governments and other entities. The Tokyo metropolitan government and Kanagawa prefectural government have prepared textbooks, so that students have to learn Japanese history at the high schools they operate.
　日本史の必修化を求める声は自治体などから出ていた。東京都や神奈川県は、独自教材を作成し、都立校や県立校の生徒に日本史を必ず学ばせている。

However, many issues need to be discussed.
　ただ、必修化にあたっては、検討すべき課題も多い。

By making Japanese history a compulsory subject in place of world history, students may have few opportunities to learn about the history of foreign countries at primary, middle and high schools.
　世界史に代わって日本史だけを必修にすれば、小中高校を通じて外国の歴史に触れる機会がほとんどない生徒が出かねない。

It may be necessary to review the curriculum, including compulsory education subjects, by adopting elements of world history at middle schools, for instance.
　例えば、中学校で世界史の要素を取り入れるなど、義務教育も含めたカリキュラムの見直しを考える必要があるのではないか。

If both world history and Japanese history became required subjects, more high school students would not study geography. Some people have suggested the establishment of a general course of geography and history that would be made compulsory.
　世界史と日本史がともに必修となれば、今度は地理を学ばない高校生が増えるかもしれない。地理歴史の総合科目を新設して、必修とすべきだという意見もある。

There is also room to review the conventional way history is taught, which gives too much weight to memorization. It is natural for high school students to dislike studying history if they are forced to memorize a vast amount of terms.
　知識の詰め込みに偏りがちな従来の歴史教育の在り方にも、再考の余地がある。膨大な用語の暗記を強いるのでは、高校生が「歴史嫌い」になるのも無理はない。

It is desirable for educators and schools to tax their ingenuity to come up with educational content that stimulates the intellectual curiosity of students, for instance, by having them delve more deeply into historical events.
　歴史的事件の背景を掘り下げて考えさせるなど、生徒の知的好奇心を喚起するような教育内容を工夫すべきだろう。

It is also necessary to improve education in regard to modern and contemporary history. Such efforts will certainly cultivate students’ understanding of the current complex international situation, by correctly understanding the history between Japan and other Asian countries.
　近現代史に関する教育を充実させることも求められる。日本とアジア諸国の間に横たわる歴史を正しく理解する学習を通じて、現在の複雑な国際情勢を見る眼(め)が養われていくはずだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 28, 2014)
（2014年1月28日01時11分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun January 27, 2014
Sense of food safety badly shaken by in-company poisoning of food
農薬混入事件　「食の安全」揺るがす内部犯行（1月27日付・読売社説）

The latest food poisoning case has shaken Japan’s sense of food safety and increased people’s distrust of food makers. Investigators must expedite their efforts to elucidate the facts in this case.
　日本の「食の安全」を揺るがし、食品メーカーへの不信を増大させた。捜査当局は真相解明を急ぐべきである。

A 49-year-old contract worker at the plant where frozen food was laced with the agricultural chemical malathion has been arrested by the Gunma prefectural police on suspicion of obstructing business. The suspect worked at the Gunma plant of Aqli Foods Corp., a subsidiary of leading food maker Maruha Nichiro Holdings Inc.
　食品大手「マルハニチロホールディングス」の子会社「アクリフーズ」群馬工場で製造された冷凍食品に農薬マラチオンが混入された事件で、群馬県警が工場の契約社員の男（４９）を偽計業務妨害容疑で逮捕した。

The man is suspected of lacing frozen food produced at the plant with malathion on four occasions in October.
　男は昨年１０月、工場で製造する冷凍食品に４回にわたり、マラチオンを混入した疑いがある。

About 2,800 people across the country have complained of feeling ill after eating pizza and other frozen food produced at the plant.
　工場で製造されたピザなどを食べ、体調不良を訴えた人は全国で約２８００人に上る。

During questioning, the man reportedly told police, “I don’t remember,” and his motive remains unclear.
　男は調べに対し、「覚えていない」と話しているという。まだ動機も判然としない。

We hope the Gunma prefectural police will probe the matter thoroughly to find out how the food was laced with the chemical and clarify the context of the inside job.
群馬県警は、農薬の混入方法、事件の背景などを徹底的に究明してもらいたい。

The presidents of Maruha Nichiro Holdings and Aqli Foods have announced they will resign at the end of March to take responsibility for the latest incident.
　マルハニチロの久代敏男社長とアクリフーズ社長は、３月末で引責辞任することを表明した。

The companies failed to respond promptly, taking 1½ months to launch a self-imposed recall of products after receiving a complaint in November of an odd odor from pizza manufactured at the plant. As both companies have lost their credibility with consumers, their resignation is natural.
　昨年１１月、工場で製造されたピザを食べた消費者から異臭の苦情があってから自主回収まで１か月半も要し、対応が遅れた。信頼を失墜した以上、辞任は当然だ。

85% of frozen food recalled

The recall rate of frozen food produced since October at the Gunma plant remains at about 85 percent. Maruha Nichiro must continue calling on consumers to return the products in question.
　１０月以降に群馬工場で製造した冷凍食品の回収率は約８５％にとどまる。マルハは引き続き、返品を呼びかける必要がある。

A mindset of “food defense” to prevent food from being contaminated intentionally with foreign substances has prevailed in the food industry since pesticide-laced gyoza produced at a Chinese plant was imported into Japan in 2008.
　食品業界では２００８年に発覚した中国製冷凍ギョーザ中毒事件後、意図的な異物混入を防ぐ「フードディフェンス（食品防御）」の考え方が広がっている。

At the Gunma plant, workers are required to wear uniforms without pockets, while monitors to keep an eye on other workers have been placed on production lines.
　この群馬工場でも、従業員にポケットのない作業着の着用を義務づけ、製造ラインに監視役の従業員も配置していた。

Yet there is no inspection of workers’ belongings when they enter the plant. Some workers said chemicals could be brought into the plant if they were hidden inside the lower sleeve of the uniform.
　しかし、工場に入る際の持ち物検査などはなく、「袖口に忍び込ませれば、農薬を持ち込むことはできる」と話す従業員もいる。

The present state of quality control, including the system for food safety control, of the entire Maruha group needs to be examined for possible defects, as does the system for educating employees.
　グループ全体の食品安全管理体制を含めた品質管理のあり方や、従業員教育などに問題がなかったか。検証が必要だろう。

The latest incident has also sounded an alarm bell for the entire food industry.
　今回の事件は、業界全体にも警鐘を鳴らしている。

Although it can be difficult for companies to take the view that human nature is inherently bad, it is essential to prevent workers with ill intentions from doing bad things. Companies must improve their in-house systems, including boosting monitoring of employees to make such illicit acts difficult.
　性悪説に立つことは難しいかもしれないが、悪意を持つ従業員の不正を防ぐことが何よりも重要だ。そうした行為を難しくするための監視強化など、社内体制の整備が各社に求められる。

Maruha Nichiro has revised downward its earnings forecast for the business term ending this March, primarily due to suspended production at the Gunma plant and its sluggish sales.
　マルハニチロは２０１４年３月期決算の業績予想を下方修正した。群馬工場の製造を中止し、販売不振に陥ったのが主因だ。

Companies in the food industry must understand it is difficult for a company that has lost consumers’ trust to recover it.
　いったん失った消費者の信頼回復の道が険しいことを、業界各社は肝に銘じなければならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 27, 2014)
（2014年1月27日01時32分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun January 26, 2014
Japanese NIH expected to enhance nation’s medical competitiveness
日本版ＮＩＨ　医療の競争力強化の司令塔に（1月26日付・読売社説）

Excellent results in medical research must lead to the development of new drugs and remedies. A “headquarters for medicine” to be established soon is expected to play a significant role in enhancing Japan’s competitiveness in this field.
　優れた医学研究を医薬品開発や治療法に結実させる必要がある。日本の競争力強化へ、“医療の司令塔”が果たすべき役割は大きい。

The government has decided to create an independent administrative entity tentatively called the Japan medical research and development agency to promote research and development in the medical field. With creation of the agency, the government aims to unify various systems at different ministries and agencies to support the research and development of medicine.
　政府は、医療分野の研究開発を支援するため、独立行政法人「日本医療研究開発機構」を創設することを決めた。各省庁でばらばらだった研究支援体制を一元化する狙いがある。

The agency is called the Japanese version of the U.S. National Institutes of Health because it is being modeled on the U.S. organization, which leads the world in medical research and the creation of new drugs. The government plans to submit related bills to the current ordinary Diet session and to launch the new agency in April 2015.
　世界の医学研究や創薬をリードする米国の国立衛生研究所（ＮＩＨ）をモデルに、「日本版ＮＩＨ」と呼ばれる。政府は関連法案を通常国会に提出し、新法人を２０１５年４月に発足させる方針だ。

The medical field is expected to be a pillar of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s growth strategy. The government must not let the agency become an empty letter but make it a viable organization with power to drive the nation’s growth.
　医療分野は成長戦略の柱として期待される。成長の牽引(けんいん)力となるよう、看板倒れに終わらせず、実効性のある組織とすることが肝要である。

The new agency is tasked with managing research and development funds from various ministries and agencies in an integrated fashion, and with distributing them to universities and other research institutes. The agency will give priority to promising fields and provide constant support to them, from basic research to commercialization of products.
　新法人は、各省庁の研究開発予算を一括管理し、大学などの研究機関に配分する役割を担う。有望な分野を優先し、基礎研究から製品化までを継続的に支援する。

As the development of induced pluripotent stem cells by Kyoto University Prof. Shinya Yamanaka shows, the level of basic research in the medical field is very high in Japan.
　山中伸弥・京都大教授が作製したｉＰＳ細胞（人工多能性幹細胞）に代表されるように、日本の医学の基礎研究レベルは高い。

End sectionalism

Nonetheless, Japan lags behind the United States and European countries in the practical application of medical technology. For instance, imports of medicine and medical equipment exceed exports by about ¥3 trillion. It is problematic that a gap between basic research and clinical application has prevented companies from converting research results at universities and elsewhere into commercial realities.
　ところが、医薬品・医療機器の貿易で約３兆円の輸入超過となるなど、医療技術の実用化では米欧に後れをとっている。

Government support for research and development is sometimes not well coordinated.
　基礎研究と臨床応用の間に溝があり、大学などの研究成果が、企業による製品化に結びついていなかったのは問題と言える。

For example, the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry is in charge of supporting basic research; the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is in charge of clinical application; and the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry is in charge of industrialization. The ministries often compete with each other to win budget appropriations for similar research.
　研究開発に対する政府の支援は、基礎分野を文部科学省、臨床研究は厚生労働省、産業化は経済産業省がそれぞれ担当し、時にちぐはぐだ。類似研究に各省が予算を奪い合うケースも多い。

To help the new agency function appropriately, it is essential to end sectionalism among ministries and agencies, and to make their support for research and development more efficient.
　新法人を十分機能させるためには、まず省庁の縦割りをなくし、効率化を図ることが不可欠だ。

The new agency will be staffed by medical and pharmaceutical experts from the private sector, but it will not be easy to secure such people.
　新法人の職員は、医療や薬学の民間の専門家などで構成される予定だ。人材確保が難題である。

They will have to exercise good judgment in selecting research subjects with potential, and in connecting research institutes and companies to realize their product development.
　将来性の高い研究領域を見極め、製品開発に向けて研究機関と企業をどう結びつけるか。「目利き力」が求められよう。

There is a mountain of issues to be tackled jointly by the industrial, government and academic sectors. The creation of the Japanese version of the NIH is just a start.
　産官学で取り組むべき課題は山積している。日本版ＮＩＨの創設はスタートに過ぎない。

While seeking to change the mindset of university researchers, who tend to overemphasize basic research, the government also should help accelerate the nurturing of start-ups that tackle the development of innovative technology with a high risk of failure.
　基礎研究を偏重しがちな大学の研究者の意識改革を進めるとともに、失敗のリスクが大きい革新的な技術開発を手がけるベンチャー企業の育成も急ぐべきだ。

We expect the government to build a system together with all the related sectors in Japan to increase the nation’s international competitiveness in the medical field by developing the Japanese version of NIH into a major, solid organization.
　政府は、日本版ＮＩＨを大きく育てて、オールジャパンで医療分野の国際競争力を高める体制を築いてもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 26, 2014)
（2014年1月26日01時11分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun January 26, 2014
Efforts of entire nation necessary to prepare for successful 2020 Games
東京五輪組織委　オールジャパンで祭典準備を（1月25日付・読売社説）

The organizing committee for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, which was launched Friday, will promote preparations in coordination with the International Olympic Committee.
　２０２０年東京五輪・パラリンピックの運営母体となる大会組織委員会が発足した。
　今後、国際オリンピック委員会（ＩＯＣ）と調整を図りながら、開催準備を進めていくことになる。

The efforts of the entire nation will be needed to make the Games successful, involving the government, the Tokyo metropolitan government, the Japanese Olympic Committee and business circles.
　政府、東京都、日本オリンピック委員会（ＪＯＣ）、経済界が一体となったオールジャパンの準備体制を築き、大会を成功に導かねばならない。

Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori was named head of the organizing committee. Mori, who also serves as head of the Japan Sports Association and Japan Rugby Football Union, has a wide range of personal connections in the sports world. He must take full advantage of these connections to facilitate communication within the organizing committee.
　組織委の会長には、森元首相が就任した。森氏は、日本体育協会、日本ラグビー協会の会長を務めるなど、スポーツ界全般にも幅広い人脈を持つ。それをフルに生かし、組織委内の意思疎通を図ってもらいたい。

The committee will be tasked with working out basic organizing plans by February next year and will take the lead in implementing those plans. It will also undertake public relations activities.
　組織委は来年２月までに開催基本計画をまとめ、計画遂行の指揮を執る。ＰＲ活動も展開する。

To secure the ¥300 billion in management funds needed to pay for the Olympics and Paralympics up through their conclusion six years from now, it is necessary to seek sponsorship fees and donations from as many companies as possible. Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda, who has been informally appointed as vice head of the organizing committee, will have to display his ability in this regard.
　６年後の大会終了までに必要な運営費３０００億円を確保するため、多くの企業からスポンサー料や寄付金を募る必要がある。副会長に内定した豊田章男トヨタ自動車社長の手腕に期待がかかる。

Toshiro Muto, a former administrative vice finance minister, has assumed the post of secretary general in charge of supervising the practical business aspects of the Games. It will be vital for him to keep in mind the need to use the limited fiscal resources effectively.
　実務を取り仕切る事務総長には、元財務次官の武藤敏郎氏が就いた。限られた財源の有効活用に留意することが肝要だ。

Effective use of funds vital

The construction costs for the new National Stadium, which will be built with an injection of funds from state coffers, were initially estimated at ¥130 billion. But it was later found that the cost would balloon to ¥300 billion if the stadium was constructed based on the chosen design. Faced with criticism that this was excessive, the amount was reduced to ¥170 billion by adopting such measures as downsizing the total floor space.
　国費を投入する新国立競技場の建設費は当初、１３００億円とされたが、デザイン通りに建設すると３０００億円にまで膨らむことが分かった。巨大過ぎるとの批判も高まり、延べ床面積の縮小などで１７００億円に圧縮した。

If such over-optimistic estimations occur again, people may come to distrust the entire organizing plan.
　こうした甘い見積もりを繰り返せば、開催計画全体への不信感が広がるだろう。

In line with a contract signed with the IOC, it was decided to launch the organizing committee by early February.
　大会組織委については、２月初めまでに発足させることが、ＩＯＣとの契約で決まっていた。

The committee’s inauguration came just days before the deadline. It was delayed until Friday due to the scandal involving former Tokyo Gov. Naoki Inose. The governor was supposed to participate in discussions on selecting the organizing committee’s chief, but the choice was made without him as a result of his unexpected resignation.
　ぎりぎりのスタートとなったのは、猪瀬直樹・前都知事の不祥事が影響したためだ。都知事は組織委会長の人選を協議する役割を担っていたが、不在のまま会長が決まる想定外の事態となった。

A Tokyo governor bears a heavy responsibility in the organizing committee. The new governor to be elected in voting on Feb. 9 will serve as a member of the coordination conference along with Mori, Olympic minister Hakubun Shimomura and JOC President Tsunekazu Takeda, among others, to coordinate important matters.
　組織委においても、都知事の責任は重い。２月９日投票の都知事選で選ばれる新知事は、森会長、下村五輪相、竹田恒和・ＪＯＣ会長らとともに、「調整会議」のメンバーとして、大会運営に関わる重要事項の調整にあたる。

The new governor also needs to take responsibility over the use of ¥400 billion in funds held by the metropolitan government for construction of athletic facilities. In preparation for the Paralympics, it will also be necessary to build more barrier-free facilities in central Tokyo.
　競技場建設のために都が保有している４０００億円の基金の使途にも、責任を持つ必要がある。パラリンピックに備え、都心のバリアフリー化の推進も課題だ。

To ensure the smooth management of events, seeking to secure a stable supply of cheap electric power is also a major task for the governor as head of the host city.
　大会の円滑な運営のためには、開催都市のトップとして、安価な電力の安定的な確保に努めることも、重要な責務である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 25, 2014)
（2014年1月25日01時45分 読売新聞）