英字新聞
読売、毎日、朝日各社英字新聞の主として社説を学習研究します

(Mainichi Japan) June 23, 2010
Taking a deeper look at Kan's realism
風知草：現実主義とは何か＝山田孝男

Prime Minister Naoto Kan's naming of his new Cabinet as the "Kihei-tai Cabinet" (Irregular Militia Cabinet) still doesn't sit right.
　「奇兵隊内閣」という命名、いまだ釈然としない。

The Kiheitai was a militia formed in the Choshu domain (present day Yamaguchi Prefecture) toward the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, standing in opposition to the shogunate.
奇兵隊は幕末史に登場する長州（山口県）の討幕ゲリラだが、知らない人の方が多いだろう。

Many people have probably never heard of this militia, and the meaning of "Kihei-tai" in reference to Kan's Cabinet doesn't come across clearly -- to the man on the street, its significance is lost.
　意味が伝わらない。民衆に届かない。半端なキャッチフレーズに菅直人首相の準備不足と迷いが表れている。

The adoption of such an odd name is a reflection of the prime minister's lack of preparation and direction. By referring to his Cabinet as a "Kihei-tai," does Kan plan to keep up with the idea of destroying the system?
　奇兵隊を名乗るからには、これからも体制の破壊を続けるつもりなのか？－－。

In a question directed at Kan on June 15, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmaker Yoshimasa Hayashi, who is from Yamaguchi Prefecture, asked, "Are you a destroyer or a creator?" to which Kan replied, "Both."
菅を問い詰めたのは山口県選出の自民党参院議員、林芳正である。１５日の代表質問で「あなたは破壊者か、創造者か」と攻め、菅は「両方だ」と答えた。

During the question session, Hayashi made reference to the historical work "Yoshida Shoin," by the great pre-war journalist Soho Tokutomi, explaining, "For a revolution, three types of people are needed: thinkers, destroyers and creators."
　林は質問のなかで、戦前の大ジャーナリスト・徳富蘇峰の史論「吉田松陰」を引き、「革命には思想家、破壊者、創造者という３種類の人間が必要だ」と解説してみせた。

Looking at Soho's original work, we see that the "creator" is a "constructive revolutionary." In giving an example, the journalist listed Cromwell, Napoleon, and Toshimichi Okubo, and noted that the reason they were successful in the final phase of their revolutions was that they were people who looked beyond ideals to the actual situation.
　蘇峰の原著を見ると、「創造者」は「建設的革命家」となっている。例として蘇峰はクロムウェル、ナポレオン、大久保利通らを挙げ、彼らが革命の最終局面で活躍するのは、「理想の外に実際を見」る人々だからだと言っている。

Looking beyond ideals to the actual situation probably means being a realist with a well-balanced feel for the situation.
　理想の外に実際を見る、とはバランス感覚に富むリアリストということだろう。

Kan is a realist, which both the prime minister himself and others acknowledge. Amid the upheaval brought about by political realignment, he has chosen, as a party leader, to place priority on survival. His dry yet flexible approach that is not necessarily bound by ideals, duty or obligations comprises the basis of others' assessments of Kan's character.
　菅は自他ともに認めるリアリストである。政界再編の激動のなかで、政党の指導者としてサバイバルを優先してきた。必ずしも理念や義理人情に縛られないドライな柔軟さが人物評の根拠になっている。

This approach is evident in his relationship with labor unions. Kan comes from a background of citizen campaigning, and during his time in the Socialist Democratic Federation and New Party Sakigake, he was consistently critical of politics that relied on labor unions. However, that changed when he formed the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and teamed up with lawmakers from the former Social Democratic Party and Democratic Socialist Party. He placed priority on solidifying his base of support and started making an effort to cooperate with labor unions.
　早い話が労働組合との関係だ。菅は市民運動出身であり、社民連、さきがけ時代を通じて労組依存の政治に批判的だった。それが、民主党を結成し、旧社会党系、旧民社党系の議員と合流して変わった。支持基盤の維持を優先し、労組との協調に努めるようになった。

Kan's approach when it comes to former DPJ Secretary-General Ichiro Ozawa is even drier. The two didn't get on well to begin with, and Kan didn't hesitate to criticize Ozawa. But in the autumn of 2003, as leader of the DPJ, Kan decided to merge his party with the Liberal Party led by Ozawa. After that, he was cautious not to quickly join in criticism of Ozawa that was smoldering within the DPJ, and solidified his chances of succeeding former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
　小沢一郎前幹事長との関係はさらにドライだ。もともと肌が合わず、小沢批判をためらわなかった。ところが０３年秋、民主党代表として小沢自由党との合併を決断。以後、党内にくすぶった小沢批判にも簡単には乗らぬ慎重さで「ポスト鳩山」の地位を固めた。

Kan's realism has also been displayed in his policies. In the book "90 Nendai no Shogen/Kan Naoto" (Testimonies of the 1990s -- Naoto Kan), published by Asahi Shimbun Publications in 2008, reference is made to Seiji Maehara, a particularly hawkish figure in the field of diplomacy within the DPJ. Kan is asked, "You're not as much of a realist as Maehara in diplomacy are you?" to which he responds, "Well actually, from my point of view, Maehara is more fundamentalist than pragmatic. I'm much more of a realist."
　菅の現実主義は政策面にも表れている。前原誠司（国土交通相）といえば民主党きっての外交タカ派だが、菅は「外交では前原さんほど現実主義的ではないでしょう」と聞かれ、こう答えたことがある。
　「いや、私に言わせれば前原君は現実的というより原理主義的です。私なんかの方がよっぽど現実主義的なんです」（「９０年代の証言／菅直人」０８年朝日新聞出版）

In his policy speech at the Diet and during a party leaders' question session, Kan stressed that he would deepen the Japan-U.S. alliance, and the policy of an "equal Japan-U.S. alliance" promoted by Hatoyama's administration vanished.
　国会の所信表明演説と代表質問を通じて菅は「日米同盟の深化」を訴え、鳩山政権の「対等な日米同盟」は消えた。

Kan also suggested raising the consumption tax to 10 percent, "using an LDP proposal as a reference" -- in other words a policy no different from that of the LDP.
消費税は「自民党案を参考に」１０％にするという。要するに自民党と変わらない。

I would like to laud this as the behavior of a realist, but when we've come this far the question arises: What exactly is realism?
　さすがはリアリストだと言いたいが、ここまでくると、現実主義とは何かという疑問がせり上がってくる。

The "Kojien" dictionary's definition of "realism" (genjitsu-shugi) translates as follows: "the attitude of handling affairs based on reality without adhering to a doctrine or ideals. There are times when the attitude of yielding to an established fact before one's eyes or opportunism has the same meaning."
　広辞苑で「現実主義」を引くと、こう書いてある。「主義や理想にこだわらず現実に即して事を処理する態度。目前の既成事実に屈服する態度や日和見主義と同じ意味になる場合がある」。なるほど。

So what is Kan's realism? Is it realism on the same scale as that used during the early years of the Meiji Period by Toshimichi Okubo, who observed the U.S. and Europe and decided to focus on internal affairs? Or is it the realism of the art of survival by the Kihei-tai of Japan's political center of Nagatacho -- suppressing Ozawa's group within the party for the time being and beating the LDP? That's the issue at stake. (By Takao Yamada, Expert Senior Writer)
　菅の現実主義とは何か。明治初年、大久保利通が米欧を見て内治優先を決断したというようなスケールでの現実主義なのか。当面、小沢グループを抑え込み、自民党をやっつけようという永田町奇兵隊のサバイバル戦術としての現実主義なのか。そこが問題だ。（敬称略）（毎週月曜日掲載）

毎日新聞　2010年6月21日　東京朝刊

Freedom of speech and expression are the foundation of a democratic society. The obstruction of BBS postings　by an administrator, through deleting some postings cannot be allowed.
　言論・表現の自由は、民主主義社会の基本だ。BBS管理者による投稿の削除などでBBSの閲覧を妨害することは許されない。
Whatever the content of the postings, the free expression that is a BBS should be respected as much as possible, as long as a postings are not offensive to public order and morality.
　ただし、内容がどのようなものであれ、公序良俗に反しない限りBBSでの投稿という表現の自由は、最大限尊重されなければならない。

タイのバンコク週報への投稿や個人が運営しているBBSへの投稿で苦い経験をさせられています。

(スラチャイ）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 23, 2010)
Don't block a movie for being problematic
イルカ漁映画　問題あっても妨害は許されぬ（6月22日付・読売社説）

Freedom of speech and expression are the foundation of a democratic society. The obstruction of the screening of a movie, through intimidating protests or other means, cannot be allowed.
　言論・表現の自由は、民主主義社会の基本だ。威圧的な抗議活動などで映画の上映を妨害することは許されない。

Some showings in this country of "The Cove," a critical portrayal of the dolphin fishing of Taijicho, Wakayama Prefecture, have been canceled. Three theaters in Tokyo and Osaka that had been scheduled to show the film announced in early June they would not.
　和歌山県太地町のイルカ漁を批判的に描いた米国のドキュメンタリー映画「ザ・コーヴ」の国内上映が、一部で中止に追い込まれた問題である。

They did so because an organization that believes the movie is anti-Japan warned the theaters it would take such actions as holding street protests using loudspeakers.
　上映を予定していた東京、大阪の３館が今月初めに、相次いで断念を発表した。

The organization did make repeated protests in front of the home of the president of the movie's domestic distributor, and in front of the distributor's office, provoking turmoil.
　映画の内容が反日的だと批判する団体が、映画館に街宣活動を行うなどと予告したためだ。映画の配給元の社長宅や事務所に対しては、実際に抗議活動が繰り返され、混乱を引き起こしていた。

The operators of the theaters apparently feared that showing the film would cause trouble for audiences and people living nearby.
　映画館は、観客や近隣に迷惑がかかることを懸念したようだ。

===

Don't give in to intimidation

In contrast, 22 other movie theaters throughout the country have decided to show "The Cove," some starting July 3. The distributor and these movie theaters have demonstrated their resolve not to yield to foul intimidation.
　一方で、３館と別の全国２２の映画館で、来月３日からこの映画が順次、上映されることが決まった。卑劣な威嚇には屈しないという、配給元や映画館の強い姿勢を示したと言えよう。

The people of this nation can help protect the right to free and varied speech by supporting this brave action. We hope the police will do everything they can to ensure security, to prevent any trouble caused by efforts at obstruction.
　こうした勇気を国民が支持することによって、自由で多様な言論は守られる。妨害による不測の事態が起きないよう、警察も警備に万全を期してほしい。

Made by members of a radical U.S. environmental protection group that visited Taijicho, "The Cove" won best documentary feature at this year's Academy Awards.
However, the filmmakers shot some footage by trespassing into an off-limits area without the permission of the town's fisheries organization.
　この映画は、米国の過激な環境保護団体のメンバーが、太地町を訪ねて製作した。今年の米アカデミー賞の長編ドキュメンタリー賞を受賞したが、太地町の漁業関係者の許可を得ないまま、禁止区域に入っての撮影も行われた。

The movie includes a scene in which dolphins driven by fishermen into the town's cove are killed, and the sea becomes red with the dolphins' blood. At another point, fishermen and the movie's crew argue about the filming.
　入り江に追い込まれたイルカが殺され、海が血で真っ赤に染まるシーンや、漁業関係者と映画のスタッフが、撮影を巡って押し問答する場面などが描かれている。

The town's government and fisheries organization asked the distributor to cancel the movie's release because it may infringe on the image rights of the fishermen filmed. They also say it presents incorrect information regarding the concentration of mercury reportedly found in dolphin meat.
　町や漁業関係者は、肖像権侵害の恐れがあり、イルカ肉から検出されたという水銀値などについての説明にも誤認があるとして、配給会社に上映中止を求めた。

===

Freedom of expression key

In response, the Japanese distributor agreed to make some modifications, such as obscuring the faces of people in the dolphin fishing industry. However, there is no way to conceal the surreptitious filming. It may be true that some of the filmmakers' methods were problematic.
　これに対し配給会社は、映った漁業関係者の顔にぼかしを入れるなど、修整には応じたが、盗撮は隠しようもなく、手法に問題があったのは事実だろう。

But whatever the content of the documentary, the free expression that is a movie should be respected as much as possible, as long as a film is not offensive to public order and morality.
　ただし、内容がどのようなものであれ、公序良俗に反しない限り映画という表現の自由は、最大限尊重されなければならない。

If the content of the movie is problematic, people should first see it at a theater and then criticize it.
　内容に問題があるというなら、上映された作品を見て、それから批判すべきであろう。

Two years ago, the domestic release of a Japanese-Chinese documentary made by a Chinese director about Yasukuni Shrine was canceled due to various problems, including street loudspeaker campaigns conducted by rightest organizations.
　２年前には、靖国神社をテーマにした中国人監督による日中合作のドキュメンタリー映画が、右翼団体による街宣活動などで、上映中止になったケースがある。

It is quite regrettable that similar incidents are happening again.
　こうしたことが繰り返されるのは、極めて残念だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 22, 2010)
（2010年6月22日01時23分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 22, 2010)
Growth strategy needs more substance
成長戦略決定　「絵空事」に終わらせるな（6月21日付・読売社説）

The government has drawn up its new growth strategy. However, uncertainties remain over whether this strategy can achieve the anticipated economic growth by effectively tapping the vigor of private businesses.
　民間企業の活力をうまく引き出して、期待通りの経済成長を実現できるかどうか、未知数の部分も多い。

The strategy is aimed at galvanizing seven fields, such as environment/energy and health, while accelerating moves to help the economy break free from deflation. It contains 21 measures for promoting what have been touted as national strategy projects to establish a strong economy.
　政府が決定した新成長戦略は、デフレからの脱却を急ぎつつ、環境・エネルギーや健康など戦略７分野をテコ入れする。国家戦略プロジェクトと銘打った２１の施策を進めて、「強い経済」の実現を図るという。

Implementing these measures, the government calculates, will create more than 120 trillion yen in new demand and about 5 million jobs. This would generate average yearly economic growth of more than 2 percent in real terms and more than 3 percent in nominal terms in the decade to come.
　その結果、１２０兆円を超える新規需要と、約５００万人の雇用が生まれ、今後１０年の経済成長率は、実質で平均２％超、名目では３％超になると見込んでいる。

The strategy contains some measures likely to be effective. But there is a question over whether it can bring about the sort of drastic impact the government is banking on. The government should prioritize the measures and enhance their efficacy.
　有効と思われる内容もあるが、果たしてこれほど劇的な効果が上がるかどうかは疑問だ。施策の重点化など、さらに実効性を高める工夫が求められよう。

Many of the measures are intended to back up corporate activity and boost the vigor of the private sector.
　成長戦略には、企業活動を後押しして、民間活力を高める施策が多く盛り込まれた。

===

Boost corporate activity

One pillar of the strategy is to lower the effective corporate tax rate gradually from the current 40 percent or so to 30 percent or about 25 percent--the same level as in many other industrialized nations. This will reinforce the international competitiveness of Japanese firms.
　約４０％の法人税実効税率を、３０％から２０％台半ばにあたる「主要国並み」まで、段階的に引き下げるとした。日本企業の競争力強化に役立つだろう。

The strategy calls for establishing a special committee representing both the private and public sectors to promote sales of social infrastructure projects in Asia, such as the construction of nuclear power plants and Shinkansen bullet train networks. If successful, the plan will bring in orders for huge infrastructure projects in the region.
　アジアへ原子力発電所や新幹線など社会基盤（インフラ）を積極的に売り込むため、官民共同で専門委員会を設ける構想もある。うまくいけば、巨額のインフラ投資の受注が期待できる。

However, the strategy is not without shortcomings. The practicality of some measures is debatable, such as the project to build an environmentally friendly futuristic city. Since the strategy is making plans for 10 years from now, it contains many rough and vague plans. These plans must be fleshed out in the years to come.
　一方で、環境未来都市の整備など、実現できるかどうか疑問符のつくメニューも並んだ。１０年先を目指した戦略だけに、内容が大ざっぱで、雲をつかむような構想もある。今後、肉付けが必要だ。

There are concerns about whether measures to revive forests and forestry will include simple handouts. We want the government to reexamine whether these measures are suitable for inclusion in its growth strategy.
　「森林・林業再生プラン」などは、ばらまき的な施策が紛れ込まないか心配だ。成長戦略として適切かどうか再点検してほしい。

===

Devil's in the (lack of) details

An overall problem is that the strategy lacked precise figures for the fiscal spending and costs that will be needed to carry out the measures, although it projected concrete figures--such as the demand that will be created--for the fruit of the measures.
　全体の問題として、需要創出など効果の数字は出したのに、必要な財政支出などコストを示していない点を指摘しておきたい。

Unless details are spelled out about how to fund these projects at a time when the state finances are in dire straits, none of the plans will get off the ground. A close eye will need to be kept on whether each measure has an effect commensurate with its cost.
　厳しい財政の中、費用をどう工面するのか詰めないと、せっかくのプランも絵空事になる。コストの割に成果が乏しくないかなど、監視の継続も重要である。

Another matter of concern is the lack of clarity on how the measures will be carried out. Previous strategies were beset by failures due to conflicts of authority between government ministries involved in the projects. It is necessary to speed up efforts to establish a system that can promote several measures comprehensively and simultaneously.
　実施体制のあいまいさも気がかりだ。過去の成長戦略は、府省の権限争いなどで失敗続きだった。複数の政策を総合的に推進する体制の整備を急がねばならない。

The Democratic Party of Japan-led government calls for banning in principle the dispatch of temporary workers to the manufacturing industry and reducing greenhouse gases by 25 percent--measures that could adversely affect corporate activity. These steps do not wash with its new growth strategy designed to help businesses.
　成長戦略の一方で、民主党政権が製造業派遣の原則禁止や、温室効果ガスの２５％削減など、企業活動にマイナスになる政策を続けるのは整合性を欠いている。

The government should drop its adherence to its campaign pledges for last year's general election and instead devote itself to reviving the economy before all else.
　マニフェスト（政権公約）へのこだわりを捨て、経済優先の姿勢に徹するべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 21, 2010)
（2010年6月21日01時41分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 21, 2010)
Parties must stress need for consumption tax hike
消費税公約　引き上げを国民に堂々訴えよ（6月20日付・読売社説）

Ahead of the official announcement of the House of Councillors election on Thursday, the Democratic Party of Japan and Liberal Democratic Party recently hammered out drastic tax reform proposals, including raising the consumption tax rate.
　今月２４日公示の参院選に向け、民主、自民両党が消費税率の引き上げを含む税制の抜本改革を打ち出した。

It is the wish of many people to rehabilitate this country's state finances, the worst among leading industrialized nations, and make the social security system sustainable. To this end, a consumption tax hike is obviously unavoidable.
　先進国で最悪の財政状況を立て直し、社会保障制度を持続可能なものにすることが、多くの国民の願いだろう。それには、消費税率引き上げが避けて通れないことは明らかだ。

It is the responsibility of politicians to try to convince the public of the need for a tax increase, even if it is painful. We hope to see the matter actively debated during the upcoming upper house election campaign.
　国民に痛みを伴う増税であっても、必要性を堂々と訴えることが政治の責任である。選挙戦での活発な論争を期待したい。

　◆選挙戦術では困る◆
At a press conference during which Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced the DPJ's campaign pledges, he referred to the consumption tax and said he would try to come up with an appropriate tax rate and tax reform proposals within the current fiscal year.
　菅首相は参院選公約を発表した記者会見で、消費税について「２０１０年度内にあるべき税率や改革案の取りまとめを目指したい」と語った。

As for the consumption tax rate, Kan also said that he would use as reference the main opposition LDP's proposal of raising it to 10 percent from the current 5 percent. Kan's comment is a significant change from former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's policy of making the issue of a consumption tax hike a no-go area.
　税率は、自民党が提案している１０％への引き上げを参考にする考えを表明した。消費税の増税を封印してきた鳩山前首相の方針を、大きく転換するものだ。

The consumption tax rate, which was introduced in 1989 at 3 percent, was raised to 5 percent in 1997. Since then, past administrations have not squarely addressed the consumption tax issue. Kan should be praised for announcing a policy of raising the consumption tax rate this time.
　１９８９年に３％で導入された消費税は、９７年に５％に引き上げられた。以来、歴代政権は消費税問題に正面から取り組んでこなかった。今回、菅首相が税率引き上げの方針を示したことは、評価してよい。

At the press conference, Kan also expressed his intention to seek the people's mandate on the issue in the House of Representatives election before implementing a tax increase. However, an ideal opportunity could be lost if Kan takes things slowly.
　ただ、首相は記者会見で、増税前に衆院選で信を問う意向も示した。こんな悠長な構えでは、せっかくの機運が失われかねない。

===

DPJ talk political posturing

Some DPJ members have said that if the DPJ proposes raising the consumption tax rate to 10 percent as the LDP has done, the issue would not be a point of contention in the upper house election. This is, however, nothing but conventional election posturing.
　民主党には、「税率を自民党の主張と同じ１０％にすれば参院選の争点にはならない」との思惑もあるという。これでは、従来型の選挙戦術と同じだ。

Kan's policy was met by a backlash within the DPJ. He should speed up intraparty discussions and establish his party's basic policy on the issue.
　首相の方針に対しては党内から反発も出ている。首相は党内論議を急ぎ、党としての基本的な考え方を固めるべきだ。

　◆財政再建は待ったなし◆
The nation's debt-laden finances are in a critical situation due to the Hatoyama administration's dole-out policies that stuck to the DPJ's manifesto for the lower house election last summer, in addition to lavish economic stimulus measures after the bursting of the economic bubble.
　バブル崩壊後の景気対策の大盤振る舞いに、鳩山政権の衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）にこだわったバラマキ政策が加わり、わが国の財政は「借金漬け」の危機的な状況に陥っている。

It is estimated that cumulative long-term debts at the central and local governments will rise to 860 trillion yen as of the end of the current fiscal year--1.8 times the country's gross domestic product.
　国と地方の長期債務残高は、今年度末に８６０兆円と国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の１・８倍に膨らむ見込みだ。

The fiscal 2010 budget is abnormal, with tax revenues falling to about 37 trillion yen, lower than the new government bond issuance, which has swollen to 44 trillion yen.
　１０年度予算は、税収が３７兆円余りに落ち込み、４４兆円に膨らんだ新規国債発行額を下回る異常な事態である。

Due to the country's graying population, social security costs, which currently total more than 20 trillion yen a year, will increase by 1 trillion yen every year.
　高齢化の進展で年間２０兆円超の社会保障費は、毎年１兆円ずつ自然に増える。

In fiscal 2009, the government's share of contributions to the basic pension payments was raised to 50 percent from one-third. However, increased contributions are provisionally funded by surplus funds in special accounts, dubbed "buried treasure," and a permanent revenue source of 2.5 trillion yen will be necessary in fiscal 2011 and thereafter.
　０９年度から基礎年金の国庫負担割合を２分の１に引き上げたが、これは、いわゆる埋蔵金で暫定的に賄っており、１１年度以降、新たに２・５兆円という恒久財源も必要となる。

"Integrated economic, fiscal and social security reforms," as touted by the Kan Cabinet, can only be achieved with stable revenue sources.
　菅内閣が掲げる「経済・財政・社会保障の一体改革」を成し遂げるには、安定した財源があってこそである。

However, the income and corporate taxes that have been an important source of government revenues have substantially decreased due to the prolonged recession and a series of tax breaks. Therefore, the last resort is raising the consumption tax, a revenue source that does not fluctuate significantly due to changes in economic conditions and that spreads the burden widely among the public.
　だが、国の税収を支えてきた所得税や法人税は、長期不況や度重なる減税措置で大幅に減少している。頼みの綱は、景気による変動が少なく、国民が広く負担を分け合える消費税しかない。

The country's 5 percent consumption tax is exceptionally low compared with 25 percent in Nordic countries, 16 percent to 20 percent in Spain, Britain and Italy, and 10 percent in South Korea.
　世界的に見ても、２５％の北欧諸国を筆頭に１６～２０％のスペイン、英国、イタリア、１０％の韓国などと比べ、日本の消費税率５％は例外的に低い水準だ。

Sixty-six percent of the respondents to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey conducted earlier this month said it is necessary to raise the consumption tax rate, greatly surpassing the 29 percent who said it is unnecessary. Many people lean toward the opinion that a consumption tax hike is unavoidable.
　読売新聞が６月に実施した世論調査では、消費税率の引き上げが必要と答えたのは６６％で、必要ないとした２９％を大きく上回った。国民の多くは、消費税の増税やむなしとの考えに傾いている。

===

Where to spend revenue
　◆低所得者対策が必要だ◆

Bones of contention regarding the consumption tax are not confined to such issues as the rate and timing of its introduction. Therefore, wide-ranging discussions will be needed.
　消費税を巡る論点は、単なる税率や時期にとどまらない。幅広い議論が必要である。

The first point is where to spend the increased revenues from the tax hike. A 1 percentage point hike in the consumption tax rate would translate into a tax revenue increase of 2.4 trillion yen. If the tax rate is raised to 10 percent, tax revenues will increase by about 12 trillion yen.
　一つは、増収分の使い道だ。消費税率を１％引き上げると税収は２・４兆円増える。税率を１０％にすれば税収増は１２兆円ほどだ。

Currently, revenues from the consumption tax are distributed among three fields: the basic pension program, health care for the elderly and nursing care. But Kan has expressed his intention to aggressively invest increased revenues in growth fields such as medical care and nursing industries in order to increase employment.
　現在は基礎年金、老人医療、介護の３分野に配分されているが、首相は医療や介護などの成長分野への積極投資で雇用を増やす考えを表明している。

Using the increased tax revenues to expand government spending without careful consideration may simply repeat earlier mistakes. We believe the consumption tax will have to be spent exclusively for social security services.
　増収分を安易に歳出拡大に回せば、いつか来た道である。消費税は、社会保障に限定する目的税化すべきである。

Under the current system, 1 percentage point worth of revenue from the 5 percent consumption tax is allocated to local governments. In addition, a certain portion of the revenue is also provided to local governments as local tax grants. Consequently, the central government can spend only about 7 trillion yen out of the total consumption tax revenues.
　５％の消費税率の１％分は、地方に回すことが決められている。さらに、地方交付税に配分される分もある。その結果、国が使える消費税は７兆円程度しかないのが現実だ。

Even if the consumption tax rate is raised to 10 percent, therefore, the central government is unlikely to have enough revenue from this source. The government may have to consider setting the rate at 15 percent or higher in the future, just as European countries do.
　これでは１０％に引き上げても十分とは言えないだろう。将来的には、欧州並みの１５％以上への引き上げも考えるべきではないか。

===

Help low-income earners

Another issue will be how to reduce the financial burden on low-income earners.
　低所得者の負担をどう軽減するかという問題もある。

Because the consumption tax is imposed equally on everyone, those in low-income brackets tend to feel more of a burden than high-income earners.
　消費税は誰でも同じ税率がかかるため、所得の多い人より少ない人に相対的に負担感が増す。

To alleviate this problem, some countries have introduced a system under which consumption tax rates are set lower for food and other daily necessities. Such a system is worth considering in this country as well.
　海外では、食料品など生活必需品の税率を低く抑える軽減税率を導入している。わが国でも検討すべきだろう。

Another option may be to pay tax refunds to low-income earners to cover the cost of the consumption tax they pay for daily necessities. Before implementing such a system, however, it will be an urgent task for the government to consider introducing an identification number system for tax and social security in order to know which households will be eligible for the system.
　生活必需品の消費税額相当分を低所得者に還元する手法もある。対象となる世帯の所得を把握するには、税と社会保障の共通番号制度の検討を急ぐ必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 20, 2010)
（2010年6月20日01時19分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 20, 2010)
Talks needed to boost Japan-U.S. alliance
安保改定５０年　日米同盟深化へ戦略対話を（6月19日付・読売社説）

Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of the automatic ratification of the revised Japan-U.S. Security Treaty--without the approval of the House of Councillors--amid demonstrators surrounding the Diet building.
　デモ隊が国会議事堂を取り囲む混乱の中、新しい日米安全保障条約が自然承認されてから、１９日で５０年を迎えた。

There is no question that the Japan-U.S. alliance has played an important role in ensuring peace, stability and economic prosperity in Japan and the rest of Asia during the past half century.
　この間、日本とアジアが平和と安定を確保し、経済的な繁栄を享受してきたことに、日米同盟が重要な役割を果たしてきたことは論をまたない。

Setting aside the way the revised treaty was approved by the Diet, the political decision of the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi to revise the treaty and maintain the bilateral alliance was correct.
　安保条約の国会承認の手法はともかく、安保条約を改定し、日米同盟を堅持するという当時の岸内閣の政治的判断は誤っていなかったと言えよう。

　「６０年安保」は、国際的には東西冷戦、国内では保革対決の時代だった。戦後復興から高度成長期に入る直前で、多くの国民には悲惨な戦争体験の記憶が残る中、国論は大きく割れた。
The conflicts surrounding the 1960 security treaty mirrored the Cold War between the East and West abroad and a showdown between conservatives and reformists at home. At that time, this country was completing its postwar reconstruction and entering a period of high economic growth. Public opinion was split over the revised security treaty, with memories of tragic war experiences still fresh in many people's minds.

===

Govt appeals to public
　◆条約改定は正しかった◆

The government and the Liberal Democratic Party, which were promoting revision of the security treaty, appealed to the public by promising to correct inequalities of the original security treaty signed in 1951 and clarify the U.S. obligation to defend Japan. A group opposing revision, including the Japan Socialist Party, insisted the pact be abolished, saying it would make it easier for Japan to become embroiled in a war.
　政府・自民党など条約改定推進派は、１９５１年の旧安保条約の不平等性を是正し、米国の日本防衛義務を明確化すると訴えた。社会党など反対派は、「日本が戦争に巻きこまれやすくなる」などと条約破棄を主張していた。

Lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties, as well as the general public, spent a huge amount of political energy on the issue. After the LDP steamrolled a bill to ratify the revised security treaty through the House of Representatives on May 19-20, 1960, large-scale demonstrations against the security treaty took place.
　与野党の国会議員から一般国民まで多大な政治的エネルギーが費やされた。５月１９～２０日の自民党の強行採決による条約批准案の衆院通過を受けて、抗議デモ・集会が大規模化していく。

In mid-June of the year, Michiko Kanba, a 22-year-old University of Tokyo student, was crushed to death during a clash between demonstrators and riot police, and a planned visit to Japan by then U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower was canceled. The Yomiuri Shimbun and six other Tokyo-based newspaper companies issued a joint appeal to the demonstrators that said, "Abandon violence and protect parliamentarism."
　６月中旬には、東大生・樺美智子さんが圧死し、アイゼンハワー大統領の来日が中止となった。読売新聞など在京新聞７社が「暴力を排し議会主義を守れ」と題する異例の共同宣言を発表した。

Kishi announced his resignation right after the security treaty went into effect on June 23, 1960.
　岸首相は、６月２３日の条約発効の直後に退陣を表明した。

The Japan-U.S. alliance, which was born after many difficulties were overcome, effectively staved off the military threat posed by the former Soviet Union during the Cold War.
　多くの困難を経て生まれた日米同盟は冷戦中、旧ソ連の軍事的脅威への有効な歯止めとなった。

In the post-Cold War period, the bilateral alliance functioned as a deterrent to new threats from regional conflicts, including that on the Korean Peninsula, weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. By redefining the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, Japan and the United States came to regard their alliance as a kind of public asset to bolster the stability of Asia-Pacific region.
　冷戦後も、朝鮮半島などの地域対立や大量破壊兵器、テロなど新たな脅威の抑止力として機能した。「安保再定義」により、日米同盟はアジア・太平洋の安定を支える「公共財」と位置づけられた。

The Japanese and U.S. governments later reviewed the Guideline for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation, increasing the effectiveness of the bilateral alliance.
　日米防衛協力指針も見直され、同盟の実効性が高まった。

===

Reconsidering relationship

South Korea and Southeast Asian nations were now seriously concerned about the deterioration in the Japan-U.S. relationship caused by former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's poor diplomacy--evidence that other Asian nations also perceive the Japan-U.S. alliance as a public asset.
　鳩山前首相のお粗末な外交による日米関係の悪化を、韓国や東南アジア各国が本気で懸念していたのは、日米同盟を「公共財」とみなしている証左でもある。

Ironically, Hatoyama's words and deeds, which could have been interpreted as distancing Japan from the United States gave many people a good opportunity to reconsider the Japan-U.S. relationship. It is vital for us to think about how to deepen and develop the Japan-U.S. alliance based on history and past developments in the relationship between the two countries.
　前首相の「離米」ともとれる言動は皮肉にも、多くの国民が日米関係を再考する機会となった。過去の歴史と経緯を踏まえ、この先、同盟をどう深化、発展させるかを考えることが肝要だろう。

　◆「普天間」を前進させよ◆

The issue of relocating functions of the U.S. Marine Corp's Futenma Air Station is the first thing that needs to be worked on.
　最初に取り組むべきは、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題だ。

In doing so, the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan needs to realize not only that the relocation plan returned to the original plan--building alternative facilities near the Henoko district of Nago, Okinawa Prefecture--but also that the situation has become much worse, as many Okinawans have turned against the plan.
　その前提として、菅政権は、現状は、沖縄県名護市辺野古周辺に代替施設を建設する現行計画に戻っただけではなく、地元が反対に回った分、現行計画よりも格段に悪い状況に陥ったことを自覚する必要がある。

First of all, the government should properly implement the Japan-U.S. agreement reached late last month, which says the location of the alternative facilities and the method for building runways will be decided by the end of August. It also is important to patch up strained relationships with Okinawa Prefecture and the Nago city government, and make tenacious efforts to seek acceptance of the plan.
　まず、８月までに代替施設の位置や建設工法を決定するとの５月末の日米合意をきちんと履行することが求められる。沖縄県や名護市との関係を修復し、粘り強く理解を求める努力も大切だ。

In November 2003, when he was president of the Democratic Party of Japan, Kan said it was possible to maintain the security of the Far East without U.S. Marine Corps bases and troops being stationed in Okinawa Prefecture.
　菅首相は、民主党代表だった２００３年１１月、「米海兵隊基地と兵員が沖縄にいなくても極東の安全は維持できる」などと発言したことがある。

Kan has clarified he will adhere to the Japan-U.S. agreement on the base relocation plan, but this should not be just ad hoc realism. To build a relationship of mutual trust with the United States, it is necessary for him to break away from his past position on the issue.
　現在は、日米合意を順守すると明言しているが、その場しのぎの「現実主義」であってはならない。米側と信頼関係を築くには、過去の立場との決別が必要だ。

===

Making ties even stronger

Japan and the United States should continually hold strategic dialogues.
　日米両国が戦略的な対話を重ねることも重要である。

How can the two nations realize stability on the Korean Peninsula and persuade China to act responsibly as a major power politically and economically? How should Japan and the United States cooperate with each other and other nations to tackle such issues as global warming, the war on terrorism and disarmament?
　いかに朝鮮半島を安定させ、中国に政治、経済両面で大国としての責任ある対応を求めるのか。地球温暖化、テロとの戦い、軍縮などの課題に、日米がどう協力し、関係国とも連携するのか。

By deepening discussions on such issues and by Japan playing more active roles in the international community, the nation could build an even stronger alliance with the United States.
　こうした議論を深めつつ、日本が国際的な役割を一層果たしていくことが、より強固な同盟関係の構築につながろう。

Security is the core of the bilateral alliance. North Korea has been developing nuclear missiles and sank a South Korean patrol vessel in March. China has rapidly been building up and modernizing its military. The Chinese Navy is expanding its operations to wider areas, causing friction with neighboring nations. Japan cannot be so optimistic about its security environment.
　同盟の中核は安全保障にある。北朝鮮は核ミサイルの開発を進め、韓国軍哨戒艦を攻撃した。中国は急速に軍備を増強・近代化し、海軍の活動範囲を広げ、周辺国との摩擦を起こしている。日本の安保環境は楽観できない。

　◆防衛協力強化が重要だ◆

Fully preparing for emergencies through close cooperation between the Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces in peacetime will ultimately serve as a deterrence against such emergencies.
　自衛隊と米軍が平時から緊密に連携し、緊急事態に対処できる態勢を整えておくことが、結果的にそうした事態の抑止力になる。

The alliance sometimes is compared to riding a bicycle: The inertia of a bicycle will carry it forward, but unless we pedal, the bike will eventually slow down and fall.
　同盟関係は時に、自転車の運転に喩(たと)えられる。
　慣性力が働いている間は自転車は前に進むが、きちんとペダルをこぎ続けなければ、いずれ失速し、最後は倒れてしまう。

To maintain the alliance, it is vital for the two nations to set common goals and work hard together to achieve them. It is also indispensable to make ceaseless efforts to settle pending issues one by one.
　同盟を維持するには、両国共通の目標を設定し、その実現に向けた共同作業に汗を流すとともに、両国間の懸案を一つ一つ処理していく不断の努力が欠かせない。

It is not enough to merely chant, "The Japan-U.S. alliance is the foundation of Japan's diplomacy."
　「日米同盟が日本外交の基軸」といった言葉を単に唱えるだけでは済まされない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 19, 2010)
（2010年6月19日01時33分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jun. 19, 2010)
Has DPJ really taken realistic turn?
参院選公約　民主党の現実路線は本物か（6月18日付・読売社説）

The Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and other political parties have announced their campaign pledges for the House of Councillors election scheduled for July 11.
　民主、自民など各政党が、７月１１日投開票の参院選の公約を相次いで発表した。

A number of issues require deep discussion before the election--not least whether the consumption tax rate should be raised. We hope every party will discuss their policies with gusto.
　消費税論議をはじめ、掘り下げるべき論点は数多い。各党とも、活発な政策論議を展開してほしい。

The DPJ manifesto for the upper house poll has a healthier dose of realism than the pledges it made for last year's House of Representatives election.
　民主党の公約は、昨年の衆院選の政権公約に比べ、現実路線に大きく舵(かじ)を切った。

However, doubts linger over whether the new DPJ manifesto is merely a political gesture intended to draw votes, or if it is a genuine change of direction based firmly on realistic calculations.
単なる選挙向けのポーズでなく、地に足のついたものかどうかが問われよう。

On restoring fiscal health, the DPJ has a goal of achieving a primary balance surplus in the budget 10 years from now. To achieve this objective, the manifesto stipulates the party will start a suprapartisan debate on drastic tax reform--including consumption tax.
　財政健全化については、１０年後に基礎的財政収支を黒字化する目標を掲げ、そのために「消費税を含む税制の抜本改革」の超党派協議を開始すると明記した。

===

Clarify tax reform picture

The LDP manifesto says the consumption tax rate should be raised to 10 percent for the time being. The main opposition party came up with this figure based on the costs needed to finance social security.
　自民党は公約で、社会保障分野で要する費用を根拠として示したうえで、消費税率の「当面１０％」引き上げを掲げた。

At a press conference Thursday, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, "We'll use the 10 percent proposal contained in the LDP pledges as one reference." As long as the DPJ is calling for suprapartisan debate on tax reform, the party should clarify the whole picture of this reform and what this would entail.
　菅首相は記者会見で、「自民党公約の１０％を参考にしたい」と述べた。超党派協議を呼び掛ける以上、民主党としての税制改革の全体像を明確にすべきである。

In its latest manifesto, the DPJ erased the "monthly amount of 26 yen,000" for the child allowance it pledged in last year's manifesto. Instead, the 2010 manifesto says the party will provide "something additional" to the 13,000 yen currently handed out each month. The DPJ has given up trying to provide the promised amount because there is not enough money to fund it--although last year the party insisted the cash would be found.
　民主党は、衆院選公約で示した子ども手当の「月額２万６０００円」支給を削除し、現支給額の月額１万３０００円に「上乗せする」と改めた。財源のめどが立たず、満額支給を断念したものだ。

However, the party has retained dole-out measures such as income support for farming households and a plan to abolish expressway tolls. We think the DPJ should review these measures, too.
　しかし、高速道路無料化や農家への戸別所得補償制度など、バラマキ型の施策は、依然として残されている。これらについても、さらなる見直しが必要だろう。

In diplomatic and security fields, the party dropped the expression "move in the direction of reexamining" the role of U.S. military bases in Japan. On the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, the party vows to "do its utmost to lessen Okinawa Prefecture's burden based on the Japan-U.S. agreement."
　外交・安全保障分野でも、在日米軍基地について「見直しの方向で臨む」との表現を削除し、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題では、「日米合意に基づいて、沖縄の負担軽減に全力を尽くす」とした。

Last year, the DPJ did not mention China's steady military expansion. This time, however, the manifesto calls for China to be more transparent in its national defense policy.
　衆院選の公約では触れなかった中国の軍拡への懸念にも、「透明性を求める」と言及した。

===

Omitting inconveniences

It is only natural that the ruling party has shifted its stance after taking into consideration the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and Japan's security environment.
　日米同盟の重要性や、わが国の置かれた安全保障環境を踏まえての路線転換は、政権政党として当然のことである。

Notable in the latest DPJ manifesto is the omission of a time schedule for each policy measure in each fiscal year. Last year's manifesto included such information. Similarly, the party did not provide a booklet of policy details; until last year, the party printed such a booklet to go with its pledges for each national election.
　今回の民主党の公約で特徴的なのは、衆院選公約で示した年度ごとの政策工程表が省かれている点だ。公約に合わせて必ず発表してきた「政策集」もない。

We assume the DPJ left these items out because it does not want voters to later go back and check which policies the party abandoned or revised.
　どの政策を断念し、どう修正したかを過去にさかのぼって検証されることを嫌ったのだろう。

In its "Index 2009," the policy booklet for last year's election, the DPJ included controversial issues including its plan to swiftly introduce local suffrage to permanent foreign residents. The booklet's absence will leave voters unsure if the DPJ still considers these issues as planks of its agenda.
　衆院選の政策集には、永住外国人への地方選挙権付与の早期実現など、問題の多い内容が含まれている。今回、政策集の発表を見合わせた結果、これらの政策が今も生きているのかどうかが、まったくわからない。

The DPJ should immediately explain where it stands on these matters.
　民主党は、こうした疑問点について、速やかに説明すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,June 18, 2010)
（2010年6月18日01時05分 読売新聞）