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The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 15, 2010)
Get cracking on consumption tax talks
税制抜本改革 ひるまず消費税論議を進めよ（7月14日付・読売社説）
The Democratic Party of Japan's crushing defeat in Sunday's House of Councillors election has raised concern that discussions on far-reaching tax reform, including a possible consumption tax hike, will be put on the back burner.
参院選で民主党が敗北し、消費税率引き上げを含む税制改革論議が後退する懸念が出ている。
DPJ Secretary General Yukio Edano has indicated his intention not to stick to Prime Minister Naoto Kan's plan of formulating concrete plans on tax reform by the end of fiscal 2010. "We won't necessarily adhere to the initial deadline," Edano said.
民主党の枝野幹事長は「必ずしも当初想定していた期限にこだわらない」と語り、菅首相が目指していた２０１０年度内の具体案のとりまとめに固執しない意向を示した。
However, the government cannot put off discussions on consumption tax any longer. The nation is mired in an extraordinary fiscal condition in which tax revenue is less than the amount of new government bonds issued. Furthermore, the increasingly creaky social security system needs urgent repair.
しかし、税収が新規国債発行額を下回る異常な財政事情や、将来不安が高まる社会保障制度の現状を直視すれば、消費税論議を先送りする余裕はないはずだ。
The Kan Cabinet must swiftly resuscitate the economy, which in turn will boost tax revenue, and knuckle down to reform the tax system--including consumption, corporate and income taxes.
菅内閣は、税収増につながる日本経済の再生を急ぎ、消費税、法人税、所得税など税制全般の改革にも取り組まねばならない。
The election defeat has stung Kan. But the prime minister must dust himself off and start full-fledged efforts to coordinate intraparty opinions on consumption tax and continue inviting opposition parties to start suprapartisan discussions on the issue.
首相は選挙の敗北にひるまず、消費税についての党内調整を本格化させると同時に、野党に対し、引き続き超党派の協議を呼びかける必要がある。
We urge the opposition camp to take up the prime minister's offer of discussions on a new consumption tax system.
野党側も、これに応じ、制度設計に踏み込んだ議論を進めるべきである。
===
Tax not reason for defeat
◆消費税が敗因ではない
At Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, Kan suggested the consumption tax dispute contributed to the ruling bloc's failure to retain its majority in the upper house, saying his remarks on the issue just before the election likely caught the public by surprise.
首相は１３日の閣議で、参院選での与党の過半数割れについて「唐突な感じを与えてしまった」と述べ、消費税問題が敗因につながったとの認識を示した。
However, the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party increased its number of upper chamber seats, despite proposing raising the consumption tax rate to 10 percent in its election platform.
だが、「消費税率１０％」を参院選公約に明記した自民党は議席を伸ばした。
A Yomiuri Shimbun survey taken after Sunday's election showed more than 60 percent of the public believe a consumption tax hike will be necessary. This figure barely changed from a similar survey conducted before the election.
読売新聞が参院選後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人は６割以上に上っている。消費税率アップの必要性についての意識は、今回の選挙の前後で全く変化がない。
In the election, voters did not give a verdict on a consumption tax hike per se, but rather on Kan's inconsistent remarks on the matter.
有権者が問題にしたのは、消費税率引き上げそのものではなく、一貫性を欠いた首相の言動だ。
During the campaign, Kan failed to present clear principles on fundamental questions about a consumption tax hike, such as why an increase is necessary and how the extra tax revenue it brings in would be used.
首相は、なぜ消費税率を上げるのか、増税分を何に使うのか、といった根本的な問題に明確な方針を示すことができなかった。
When Kan found himself being boxed in by criticism over the consumption tax issue, he tweaked his previous statement, saying he would not raise "even yen1" in consumption tax until the next general election. This gave the impression that Kan was uncertain what to do.
増税批判で苦境に立たされると「次の総選挙まで１円たりとも上げない」と発言を修正するなど、最後まで軸が定まっていない印象も与えた。
===
Build intraparty consensus
◆民主は党内合意急げ
To restore public trust in the DPJ, the party must form a consensus on a consumption tax hike as soon as possible and carefully explain its position to the public.
国民の信頼を取り戻すために民主党が取り組むべきは、消費税率引き上げに関する党としての考え方を早急にまとめ、丁寧に国民に説明することである。
Future discussions likely will focus on measures to alleviate the burden any increase would place on low-income earners, among other issues.
今後の議論では、低所得者対策などが一つの論点となる。
A consumption tax refund was one option floated, but this idea is fraught with problems, such as where to draw the line on household income that would be subject to the scheme and how accurately the government can calculate individual households' income.
消費税額を還付する案が浮上しているが、所得に応じて対象者をどう線引きするか、対象者の所得をどこまで正確に把握できるかといった問題がある。
A reduced tax rate system, under which tax rates are set lower for daily necessities and other items, might be one possibility. Given that reduced tax rates are applied to newspapers, books and food in some European countries, such a system is certainly worth consideration.
生活必需品などの税率を低く設定する軽減税率の導入も選択肢だ。欧州の軽減税率は新聞や書籍、食料品などに適用されており、検討に値しよう。
The DPJ must spell out that the primary purpose of raising the consumption tax rate is to fund ballooning social security costs in pension, medical care and nursing services.These costs will only increase as the nation's society grays and birthrate declines.
消費税率を引き上げる目的については、少子高齢化の進展で増大する年金、医療、介護などの社会保障費を賄うことが主眼であることを明確にすべきだ。
After storming into power in September, the DPJ insisted it would find the money to fund its policies by weeding out wasteful spending. However, efforts to cut government fat had less of an impact than expected on the fiscal 2010 budget compilation.
政権交代後、民主党は無駄減らしで財源を捻出(ねんしゅつ)するとしていたが、１０年度予算編成で、歳出削減の効果はわずかだった。
The consumption tax, which imposes a financial burden on a wide spectrum of people, is the only stable tax revenue source, given that income and corporate tax revenues can fluctuate greatly, depending on the state of the economy.
一方、税収確保の点では、所得税や法人税が景気動向に大きく左右される以上、安定した財源となるのは国民が広く負担を分かち合う消費税しかない。
If the government can restore the social security system through a consumption tax increase, it also would help stimulate consumer spending as the public would be more willing to buy things if they did not have so many anxieties about their future.
消費税増税で社会保障制度を立て直せば、将来不安の解消で消費を刺激する効果も出てこよう。
===
Lower corporate tax rates
◆法人税引き下げを
Discussions on tax reform should aim to create a society free from concerns by stabilizing the public finances and social security, as well as maintain economic vitality.
税制改革論議では、財政や社会保障を安定させて安心社会を実現し、日本経済の活力を維持する視点が不可欠だ。
Japan's effective corporate tax rate is more than 40 percent, far higher than the average of 26 percent among the 30 member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. We think the government should quickly lower corporate tax rates as this will strengthen Japanese companies' international competitiveness.
日本の法人税の実効税率は４０％超で、経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）加盟３０か国の平均２６％と比べてかなり高い。企業の国際競争力を強化するためには、法人税率の引き下げが急務だ。
To make up for expected tax revenue shortfalls, the government must expedite discussions on tax system reform for fiscal 2011, including streamlining tax incentives that have run their course.
その減収を補う措置として、役割を終えた政策減税を整理するなど、１１年度税制改正に向け議論を急ぐべきである。
During the election campaign, Kan suggested strengthening the progressive taxation system, under which high-income earners and others bear heavier tax burdens.
参院選で首相は、高所得層を中心に負担を重くする所得税の累進性の強化を示唆した。
However, the maximum income tax rate already stands at 40 percent, which is high by international standards. Because this rate is applied to only a few taxpayers, no visible tax revenue increase can be expected from Kan's plan. Rather, the prime minister seemed to be trying to fend off public criticism that the proposed consumption tax hike would hurt the pockets of the wider general public.
だが、所得税の最高税率（４０％）は国際的に高水準で、適用される納税者は少なく、増収効果はあまりない。むしろ、消費税の税率アップが大衆増税になるとの批判をかわすのが狙いだろう。
Raising the maximum income tax rate will discourage people from working hard and undermine efforts to energize the country's businesses.
所得税の最高税率の引き上げは国民の働く意欲をそぎ、経済社会の活性化に逆行する。
Before all else, the government should review its tax deduction measures.
様々な所得控除の見直しが先である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 14, 2010)
（2010年7月14日01時38分 読売新聞）
Get cracking on consumption tax talks
税制抜本改革 ひるまず消費税論議を進めよ（7月14日付・読売社説）
The Democratic Party of Japan's crushing defeat in Sunday's House of Councillors election has raised concern that discussions on far-reaching tax reform, including a possible consumption tax hike, will be put on the back burner.
参院選で民主党が敗北し、消費税率引き上げを含む税制改革論議が後退する懸念が出ている。
DPJ Secretary General Yukio Edano has indicated his intention not to stick to Prime Minister Naoto Kan's plan of formulating concrete plans on tax reform by the end of fiscal 2010. "We won't necessarily adhere to the initial deadline," Edano said.
民主党の枝野幹事長は「必ずしも当初想定していた期限にこだわらない」と語り、菅首相が目指していた２０１０年度内の具体案のとりまとめに固執しない意向を示した。
However, the government cannot put off discussions on consumption tax any longer. The nation is mired in an extraordinary fiscal condition in which tax revenue is less than the amount of new government bonds issued. Furthermore, the increasingly creaky social security system needs urgent repair.
しかし、税収が新規国債発行額を下回る異常な財政事情や、将来不安が高まる社会保障制度の現状を直視すれば、消費税論議を先送りする余裕はないはずだ。
The Kan Cabinet must swiftly resuscitate the economy, which in turn will boost tax revenue, and knuckle down to reform the tax system--including consumption, corporate and income taxes.
菅内閣は、税収増につながる日本経済の再生を急ぎ、消費税、法人税、所得税など税制全般の改革にも取り組まねばならない。
The election defeat has stung Kan. But the prime minister must dust himself off and start full-fledged efforts to coordinate intraparty opinions on consumption tax and continue inviting opposition parties to start suprapartisan discussions on the issue.
首相は選挙の敗北にひるまず、消費税についての党内調整を本格化させると同時に、野党に対し、引き続き超党派の協議を呼びかける必要がある。
We urge the opposition camp to take up the prime minister's offer of discussions on a new consumption tax system.
野党側も、これに応じ、制度設計に踏み込んだ議論を進めるべきである。
===
Tax not reason for defeat
◆消費税が敗因ではない
At Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, Kan suggested the consumption tax dispute contributed to the ruling bloc's failure to retain its majority in the upper house, saying his remarks on the issue just before the election likely caught the public by surprise.
首相は１３日の閣議で、参院選での与党の過半数割れについて「唐突な感じを与えてしまった」と述べ、消費税問題が敗因につながったとの認識を示した。
However, the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party increased its number of upper chamber seats, despite proposing raising the consumption tax rate to 10 percent in its election platform.
だが、「消費税率１０％」を参院選公約に明記した自民党は議席を伸ばした。
A Yomiuri Shimbun survey taken after Sunday's election showed more than 60 percent of the public believe a consumption tax hike will be necessary. This figure barely changed from a similar survey conducted before the election.
読売新聞が参院選後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人は６割以上に上っている。消費税率アップの必要性についての意識は、今回の選挙の前後で全く変化がない。
In the election, voters did not give a verdict on a consumption tax hike per se, but rather on Kan's inconsistent remarks on the matter.
有権者が問題にしたのは、消費税率引き上げそのものではなく、一貫性を欠いた首相の言動だ。
During the campaign, Kan failed to present clear principles on fundamental questions about a consumption tax hike, such as why an increase is necessary and how the extra tax revenue it brings in would be used.
首相は、なぜ消費税率を上げるのか、増税分を何に使うのか、といった根本的な問題に明確な方針を示すことができなかった。
When Kan found himself being boxed in by criticism over the consumption tax issue, he tweaked his previous statement, saying he would not raise "even yen1" in consumption tax until the next general election. This gave the impression that Kan was uncertain what to do.
増税批判で苦境に立たされると「次の総選挙まで１円たりとも上げない」と発言を修正するなど、最後まで軸が定まっていない印象も与えた。
===
Build intraparty consensus
◆民主は党内合意急げ
To restore public trust in the DPJ, the party must form a consensus on a consumption tax hike as soon as possible and carefully explain its position to the public.
国民の信頼を取り戻すために民主党が取り組むべきは、消費税率引き上げに関する党としての考え方を早急にまとめ、丁寧に国民に説明することである。
Future discussions likely will focus on measures to alleviate the burden any increase would place on low-income earners, among other issues.
今後の議論では、低所得者対策などが一つの論点となる。
A consumption tax refund was one option floated, but this idea is fraught with problems, such as where to draw the line on household income that would be subject to the scheme and how accurately the government can calculate individual households' income.
消費税額を還付する案が浮上しているが、所得に応じて対象者をどう線引きするか、対象者の所得をどこまで正確に把握できるかといった問題がある。
A reduced tax rate system, under which tax rates are set lower for daily necessities and other items, might be one possibility. Given that reduced tax rates are applied to newspapers, books and food in some European countries, such a system is certainly worth consideration.
生活必需品などの税率を低く設定する軽減税率の導入も選択肢だ。欧州の軽減税率は新聞や書籍、食料品などに適用されており、検討に値しよう。
The DPJ must spell out that the primary purpose of raising the consumption tax rate is to fund ballooning social security costs in pension, medical care and nursing services.These costs will only increase as the nation's society grays and birthrate declines.
消費税率を引き上げる目的については、少子高齢化の進展で増大する年金、医療、介護などの社会保障費を賄うことが主眼であることを明確にすべきだ。
After storming into power in September, the DPJ insisted it would find the money to fund its policies by weeding out wasteful spending. However, efforts to cut government fat had less of an impact than expected on the fiscal 2010 budget compilation.
政権交代後、民主党は無駄減らしで財源を捻出(ねんしゅつ)するとしていたが、１０年度予算編成で、歳出削減の効果はわずかだった。
The consumption tax, which imposes a financial burden on a wide spectrum of people, is the only stable tax revenue source, given that income and corporate tax revenues can fluctuate greatly, depending on the state of the economy.
一方、税収確保の点では、所得税や法人税が景気動向に大きく左右される以上、安定した財源となるのは国民が広く負担を分かち合う消費税しかない。
If the government can restore the social security system through a consumption tax increase, it also would help stimulate consumer spending as the public would be more willing to buy things if they did not have so many anxieties about their future.
消費税増税で社会保障制度を立て直せば、将来不安の解消で消費を刺激する効果も出てこよう。
===
Lower corporate tax rates
◆法人税引き下げを
Discussions on tax reform should aim to create a society free from concerns by stabilizing the public finances and social security, as well as maintain economic vitality.
税制改革論議では、財政や社会保障を安定させて安心社会を実現し、日本経済の活力を維持する視点が不可欠だ。
Japan's effective corporate tax rate is more than 40 percent, far higher than the average of 26 percent among the 30 member states of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. We think the government should quickly lower corporate tax rates as this will strengthen Japanese companies' international competitiveness.
日本の法人税の実効税率は４０％超で、経済協力開発機構（ＯＥＣＤ）加盟３０か国の平均２６％と比べてかなり高い。企業の国際競争力を強化するためには、法人税率の引き下げが急務だ。
To make up for expected tax revenue shortfalls, the government must expedite discussions on tax system reform for fiscal 2011, including streamlining tax incentives that have run their course.
その減収を補う措置として、役割を終えた政策減税を整理するなど、１１年度税制改正に向け議論を急ぐべきである。
During the election campaign, Kan suggested strengthening the progressive taxation system, under which high-income earners and others bear heavier tax burdens.
参院選で首相は、高所得層を中心に負担を重くする所得税の累進性の強化を示唆した。
However, the maximum income tax rate already stands at 40 percent, which is high by international standards. Because this rate is applied to only a few taxpayers, no visible tax revenue increase can be expected from Kan's plan. Rather, the prime minister seemed to be trying to fend off public criticism that the proposed consumption tax hike would hurt the pockets of the wider general public.
だが、所得税の最高税率（４０％）は国際的に高水準で、適用される納税者は少なく、増収効果はあまりない。むしろ、消費税の税率アップが大衆増税になるとの批判をかわすのが狙いだろう。
Raising the maximum income tax rate will discourage people from working hard and undermine efforts to energize the country's businesses.
所得税の最高税率の引き上げは国民の働く意欲をそぎ、経済社会の活性化に逆行する。
Before all else, the government should review its tax deduction measures.
様々な所得控除の見直しが先である。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 14, 2010)
（2010年7月14日01時38分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 14, 2010)
Restore Diet function to revive economy
菅首相続投 経済再生へ政治の機能回復を（7月13日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Naoto Kan's administration suffered a crushing defeat in Sunday's House of Councillors election. The result has created a serious problem for his government--a so-called divided Diet, in which the opposition parties control the upper house and the ruling parties the lower house.
参院選で敗北した菅政権にとって、新たな衆参ねじれ国会の状況は深刻だ。
Given this situation, the prime minister should drastically review the handout measures contained in the manifesto created by the Democratic Party of Japan last year and seek cooperation from the opposition parties.
昨年の民主党政権公約のバラマキ政策を大胆に見直し、野党に協力を求めることが肝要である。
The results of the upper house election, which was a chance for voters to give their interim assessment of the change of administration, were more severe than expected for the ruling coalition parties.
政権交代の中間評価の機会となった参院選の結果は、事前の予想以上に厳しかった。
The DPJ won only 44 seats, 10 seats less than its preelection strength, and the People's New Party, the DPJ's junior coalition partner, could not obtain any seats at all. Consequently, the coalition parties--including an independent who was backed by the coalition parties--now hold a total of 110 seats, 12 short of 122, a majority in the upper house.
民主党は改選前に比べ１０減の４４議席で、連立与党の国民新党は１議席も獲得できなかった。与党全体でも、過半数の１２２議席に１２議席も足りない状況に至った。
===
High-handedness backfired
◆バラマキ政策を見直せ◆
The Kan administration has postponed making changes to the Cabinet and the DPJ leadership until the DPJ presidential election is held in September, when Kan's term as party president will expire.
But the road ahead is rocky.
菅政権は内閣改造・党役員人事を９月の党代表選後に先送りしたが、その前途は多難だ。
At an extra Diet session to be convened at the end of this month, the prime minister is planning only to elect the president and vice president of the upper house. However, if his administration fails to cooperate with any opposition party before the next extraordinary Diet session in autumn, the prime minister will not be able to pass any important bills and will have difficulty managing the government.
今月末召集の臨時国会は、参院の正副議長の選出などにとどめる予定だ。だが、どの野党とも連携できないまま、秋の臨時国会を迎えれば、重要法案が成立せず、政権運営は行き詰まるだろう。
After a major victory in the 2007 election, the DPJ and other opposition parties controlled the upper house. The DPJ employed hard-nosed tactics as it faced off against the Liberal Democratic Party-led government and its ruling coalition regarding the appointment of a Bank of Japan governor and other important issues, focusing on creating a favorable political situation for itself.
民主党は２００７年参院選後のねじれ国会で、野党として日銀総裁の同意人事などで政府・与党と徹底的に対決する「政局至上主義」とも言える戦術をとった。
Even after becoming the ruling party, the DPJ repeatedly used its numerical strength to ignore traditional practices concerning Diet deliberations during this year's ordinary Diet session. The party used high-handed methods worse than those the LDP had employed to steer Diet business and deepened its split with the opposition parties.
与党になった後も、今年の通常国会では、衆院の「数の力」を頼みに国会審議の慣例を再三無視するなど、かつての自民党以上に強引な国会運営を行い、野党との亀裂を深めた。
Now that the opposition controls the upper house, however, the Kan administration will have to acknowledge that the opposition parties may seek "revenge," so he must manage Diet affairs in a nonconfrontational manner based on reaching consensus.
菅政権は今後、野党から“意趣返し”を受ける可能性も自覚し、合意重視の円満な国会運営を心がける必要がある。
In the latest upper house election, voters decided to prevent the DPJ from running wild rather than support the DPJ-led coalition government. However, that does not mean they want a lame-duck government unable to pass important bills in a divided Diet.
今回の参院選で、有権者は、もっぱら民主党が主導する政権ではなく、民主党の“独走”に歯止めをかける道を選択した。だが、ねじれ国会の下で法案が成立せず、政治が機能不全に陥る事態を決して容認しているわけではない。
===
Concessions necessary
◆与野党連携で危機克服◆
Japan is facing many challenges.
わが国は今、多くの困難な課題に直面している。
Leaders of the Group of 20 developed and major emerging countries set a goal at their summit meeting last month of restoring fiscal soundness while maintaining economic growth. Japan also made an international pledge there to simultaneously achieve economic growth and fiscal health.
先月の世界２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議は、経済成長を維持しつつ、財政健全化を進める目標を掲げた。日本も、経済成長と財政再建の両立が国際公約となった。
Now the government has to start reviewing public pension and other social welfare systems, and try to mend Japan-U.S. relations that were strained under the administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
年金など社会保障制度の見直しや、鳩山前政権時代に悪化した日米関係の改善も、これからだ。
To tackle these issues, the Kan administration must make policy concessions with the opposition parties and seek their cooperation.
菅政権がこれらに取り組むには政策面で野党の主張に歩み寄り、協力を得ることが不可欠だ。
Leaders in various sectors are voicing their concerns about a possible political stalemate.
"The government should not postpone processing the mountain of issues due to the divided Diet," said Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren).
日本経団連の米倉弘昌会長が１２日、「ねじれ国会で、山積する課題を先送りしてはいけない」と述べたように、政治の停滞を懸念する声は各方面から出ている。
Currently, every opposition party is refusing to form a coalition with the DPJ. Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe said Monday that the division between the upper and lower houses demonstrates the will of the public today, and demanded the prime minister resign.
すべての野党は目下、民主党との連立を拒否している。みんなの党の渡辺代表は１２日、「衆参両院でねじれが起きたのが直近の民意だ」と菅首相の退陣を求めた。
===
Manifesto must be revised
However, all the opposition parties are leaving room for a "partial" coalition with the government, in which the ruling and opposition parties may work together depending on the issue.
ただ、各野党とも、政策ごとに与野党が連携する「部分連合」には協力の余地を残している。
For example, the Kan government is expected to work together with Your Party to reform the civil servant system and with the LDP on social welfare policy and reform of the taxation system.
例えば、菅政権が公務員制度改革ではみんなの党と、社会保障政策や税制改革では自民党と連携するといった展開も想定される。
Of course, the opposition parties have various motives, so cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties may not be easy. However, the major requirement for any cooperation will be a drastic revision of the DPJ's manifesto.
無論、各野党の思惑も様々で、与野党協力は簡単ではない。いずれも前提となるのは、民主党の政権公約の大幅な見直しだ。
The Kan government should admit the failure of the DPJ's handout measures that lack financial backing, such as the child-rearing allowances and abolition of expressway tolls. It should offer an explanation and an apology to the public.
菅政権は、子ども手当や高速道路の無料化など、財源の裏付けのないバラマキ政策の誤りを認め、国民に説明・謝罪すべきだ。
The DPJ lost in the upper house election not because Kan mentioned an increase in the consumption tax rate but because he was inconsistent in his remarks and actions. Kan is contradicting himself as he advocates a thorough cut in government expenditures while continuing handout measures.
参院選の敗因は、首相が消費税率引き上げに言及したことではない。税率上げの前提として「徹底した歳出削減」を掲げながら、バラマキ政策を継続する矛盾や、右往左往した首相の言動だ。
Public understanding of the need to increase the consumption tax rate is deepening as social welfare-related spending is increasing by 1 trillion yen a year.
社会保障費が毎年約１兆円も増える中、消費税増税への理解は国民の間に深まっている。
It is important for the prime minister to reach an agreement among the ruling and opposition parties on the details of a hike in the consumption tax rate, such as when and how much it should be raised. The LDP should not only criticize the government and the ruling coalition but also respond positively to talks between the ruling and opposition parties.
首相は、税率引き上げの時期や上げ幅など具体策に関する与野党合意形成を目指すことが大切だ。自民党なども、政府・与党を批判するばかりでなく、与野党協議に前向きに対応すべきだろう。
===
Don't rush to Ozawa
Meanwhile, a group of DPJ members, including those close to former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, is questioning the responsibility of current Secretary General Yukio Edano and other party executives for the party's debacle in the upper house election. Efforts to field a candidate against Kan will become increasingly active ahead of the party presidential election scheduled for September.
民主党内では、小沢一郎・前幹事長のグループを中心に、参院選敗北の枝野幹事長らの責任を問う声が出ている。９月の党代表選に向けて、菅首相の対立候補を擁立する動きも活発化しよう。
This will require difficult maneuvering by the prime minister.
首相は難しい舵(かじ)取りを迫られる。
◆千葉法相留任は疑問だ◆
However, Kan should not easily join hands with Ozawa to quickly restore party unity. He should not allow Ozawa to control the DPJ again by compromising on the consumption tax rate and other political issues.
だが、菅首相は、挙党態勢の構築を急ぐあまり、小沢氏と安易に手を結び、消費税問題など政策面で妥協して、「小沢支配」の復活を許すべきではない。
Kan must remember that his administration enjoyed a high approval rating immediately after its inauguration because the public approved of his efforts to eliminate Ozawa's influence.
菅政権が発足直後、高い支持率を得たのは、小沢氏の影響力を排除したことへの評価が大きかったことを忘れてはなるまい。
The prime minister has decided to keep Justice Minister Keiko Chiba, who lost her Diet seat in Sunday's election, in her current post until after the party presidential election in September. He said this was to maintain continuity in the administration, but it seems Kan actually wanted to avoid confrontations and confusion within the party over the selection of her successor.
菅首相は今回、落選した千葉法相を代表選後まで留任させることを決めた。表向きは「行政の継続性」を理由にしているが、実際は後任人事をめぐる党内の対立や混乱を避けるためと見られる。
There is little precedent for a person who has lost his or her Diet seat to stay in a ministerial post for more than a month. Though Chiba's post is not as important as the finance and foreign ministers, the popular judgment regarding Chiba should be taken more seriously. We question Kan's decision to retain Chiba as justice minister.
落選した閣僚を１か月以上続投させた例はほとんどない。財務、外務など主要閣僚でないとはいえ、国民の審判は重い。留任の判断には疑問が残る。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 13, 2010)
（2010年7月13日01時30分 読売新聞）
Restore Diet function to revive economy
菅首相続投 経済再生へ政治の機能回復を（7月13日付・読売社説）
Prime Minister Naoto Kan's administration suffered a crushing defeat in Sunday's House of Councillors election. The result has created a serious problem for his government--a so-called divided Diet, in which the opposition parties control the upper house and the ruling parties the lower house.
参院選で敗北した菅政権にとって、新たな衆参ねじれ国会の状況は深刻だ。
Given this situation, the prime minister should drastically review the handout measures contained in the manifesto created by the Democratic Party of Japan last year and seek cooperation from the opposition parties.
昨年の民主党政権公約のバラマキ政策を大胆に見直し、野党に協力を求めることが肝要である。
The results of the upper house election, which was a chance for voters to give their interim assessment of the change of administration, were more severe than expected for the ruling coalition parties.
政権交代の中間評価の機会となった参院選の結果は、事前の予想以上に厳しかった。
The DPJ won only 44 seats, 10 seats less than its preelection strength, and the People's New Party, the DPJ's junior coalition partner, could not obtain any seats at all. Consequently, the coalition parties--including an independent who was backed by the coalition parties--now hold a total of 110 seats, 12 short of 122, a majority in the upper house.
民主党は改選前に比べ１０減の４４議席で、連立与党の国民新党は１議席も獲得できなかった。与党全体でも、過半数の１２２議席に１２議席も足りない状況に至った。
===
High-handedness backfired
◆バラマキ政策を見直せ◆
The Kan administration has postponed making changes to the Cabinet and the DPJ leadership until the DPJ presidential election is held in September, when Kan's term as party president will expire.
But the road ahead is rocky.
菅政権は内閣改造・党役員人事を９月の党代表選後に先送りしたが、その前途は多難だ。
At an extra Diet session to be convened at the end of this month, the prime minister is planning only to elect the president and vice president of the upper house. However, if his administration fails to cooperate with any opposition party before the next extraordinary Diet session in autumn, the prime minister will not be able to pass any important bills and will have difficulty managing the government.
今月末召集の臨時国会は、参院の正副議長の選出などにとどめる予定だ。だが、どの野党とも連携できないまま、秋の臨時国会を迎えれば、重要法案が成立せず、政権運営は行き詰まるだろう。
After a major victory in the 2007 election, the DPJ and other opposition parties controlled the upper house. The DPJ employed hard-nosed tactics as it faced off against the Liberal Democratic Party-led government and its ruling coalition regarding the appointment of a Bank of Japan governor and other important issues, focusing on creating a favorable political situation for itself.
民主党は２００７年参院選後のねじれ国会で、野党として日銀総裁の同意人事などで政府・与党と徹底的に対決する「政局至上主義」とも言える戦術をとった。
Even after becoming the ruling party, the DPJ repeatedly used its numerical strength to ignore traditional practices concerning Diet deliberations during this year's ordinary Diet session. The party used high-handed methods worse than those the LDP had employed to steer Diet business and deepened its split with the opposition parties.
与党になった後も、今年の通常国会では、衆院の「数の力」を頼みに国会審議の慣例を再三無視するなど、かつての自民党以上に強引な国会運営を行い、野党との亀裂を深めた。
Now that the opposition controls the upper house, however, the Kan administration will have to acknowledge that the opposition parties may seek "revenge," so he must manage Diet affairs in a nonconfrontational manner based on reaching consensus.
菅政権は今後、野党から“意趣返し”を受ける可能性も自覚し、合意重視の円満な国会運営を心がける必要がある。
In the latest upper house election, voters decided to prevent the DPJ from running wild rather than support the DPJ-led coalition government. However, that does not mean they want a lame-duck government unable to pass important bills in a divided Diet.
今回の参院選で、有権者は、もっぱら民主党が主導する政権ではなく、民主党の“独走”に歯止めをかける道を選択した。だが、ねじれ国会の下で法案が成立せず、政治が機能不全に陥る事態を決して容認しているわけではない。
===
Concessions necessary
◆与野党連携で危機克服◆
Japan is facing many challenges.
わが国は今、多くの困難な課題に直面している。
Leaders of the Group of 20 developed and major emerging countries set a goal at their summit meeting last month of restoring fiscal soundness while maintaining economic growth. Japan also made an international pledge there to simultaneously achieve economic growth and fiscal health.
先月の世界２０か国・地域（Ｇ２０）首脳会議は、経済成長を維持しつつ、財政健全化を進める目標を掲げた。日本も、経済成長と財政再建の両立が国際公約となった。
Now the government has to start reviewing public pension and other social welfare systems, and try to mend Japan-U.S. relations that were strained under the administration of former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
年金など社会保障制度の見直しや、鳩山前政権時代に悪化した日米関係の改善も、これからだ。
To tackle these issues, the Kan administration must make policy concessions with the opposition parties and seek their cooperation.
菅政権がこれらに取り組むには政策面で野党の主張に歩み寄り、協力を得ることが不可欠だ。
Leaders in various sectors are voicing their concerns about a possible political stalemate.
"The government should not postpone processing the mountain of issues due to the divided Diet," said Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren).
日本経団連の米倉弘昌会長が１２日、「ねじれ国会で、山積する課題を先送りしてはいけない」と述べたように、政治の停滞を懸念する声は各方面から出ている。
Currently, every opposition party is refusing to form a coalition with the DPJ. Your Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe said Monday that the division between the upper and lower houses demonstrates the will of the public today, and demanded the prime minister resign.
すべての野党は目下、民主党との連立を拒否している。みんなの党の渡辺代表は１２日、「衆参両院でねじれが起きたのが直近の民意だ」と菅首相の退陣を求めた。
===
Manifesto must be revised
However, all the opposition parties are leaving room for a "partial" coalition with the government, in which the ruling and opposition parties may work together depending on the issue.
ただ、各野党とも、政策ごとに与野党が連携する「部分連合」には協力の余地を残している。
For example, the Kan government is expected to work together with Your Party to reform the civil servant system and with the LDP on social welfare policy and reform of the taxation system.
例えば、菅政権が公務員制度改革ではみんなの党と、社会保障政策や税制改革では自民党と連携するといった展開も想定される。
Of course, the opposition parties have various motives, so cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties may not be easy. However, the major requirement for any cooperation will be a drastic revision of the DPJ's manifesto.
無論、各野党の思惑も様々で、与野党協力は簡単ではない。いずれも前提となるのは、民主党の政権公約の大幅な見直しだ。
The Kan government should admit the failure of the DPJ's handout measures that lack financial backing, such as the child-rearing allowances and abolition of expressway tolls. It should offer an explanation and an apology to the public.
菅政権は、子ども手当や高速道路の無料化など、財源の裏付けのないバラマキ政策の誤りを認め、国民に説明・謝罪すべきだ。
The DPJ lost in the upper house election not because Kan mentioned an increase in the consumption tax rate but because he was inconsistent in his remarks and actions. Kan is contradicting himself as he advocates a thorough cut in government expenditures while continuing handout measures.
参院選の敗因は、首相が消費税率引き上げに言及したことではない。税率上げの前提として「徹底した歳出削減」を掲げながら、バラマキ政策を継続する矛盾や、右往左往した首相の言動だ。
Public understanding of the need to increase the consumption tax rate is deepening as social welfare-related spending is increasing by 1 trillion yen a year.
社会保障費が毎年約１兆円も増える中、消費税増税への理解は国民の間に深まっている。
It is important for the prime minister to reach an agreement among the ruling and opposition parties on the details of a hike in the consumption tax rate, such as when and how much it should be raised. The LDP should not only criticize the government and the ruling coalition but also respond positively to talks between the ruling and opposition parties.
首相は、税率引き上げの時期や上げ幅など具体策に関する与野党合意形成を目指すことが大切だ。自民党なども、政府・与党を批判するばかりでなく、与野党協議に前向きに対応すべきだろう。
===
Don't rush to Ozawa
Meanwhile, a group of DPJ members, including those close to former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, is questioning the responsibility of current Secretary General Yukio Edano and other party executives for the party's debacle in the upper house election. Efforts to field a candidate against Kan will become increasingly active ahead of the party presidential election scheduled for September.
民主党内では、小沢一郎・前幹事長のグループを中心に、参院選敗北の枝野幹事長らの責任を問う声が出ている。９月の党代表選に向けて、菅首相の対立候補を擁立する動きも活発化しよう。
This will require difficult maneuvering by the prime minister.
首相は難しい舵(かじ)取りを迫られる。
◆千葉法相留任は疑問だ◆
However, Kan should not easily join hands with Ozawa to quickly restore party unity. He should not allow Ozawa to control the DPJ again by compromising on the consumption tax rate and other political issues.
だが、菅首相は、挙党態勢の構築を急ぐあまり、小沢氏と安易に手を結び、消費税問題など政策面で妥協して、「小沢支配」の復活を許すべきではない。
Kan must remember that his administration enjoyed a high approval rating immediately after its inauguration because the public approved of his efforts to eliminate Ozawa's influence.
菅政権が発足直後、高い支持率を得たのは、小沢氏の影響力を排除したことへの評価が大きかったことを忘れてはなるまい。
The prime minister has decided to keep Justice Minister Keiko Chiba, who lost her Diet seat in Sunday's election, in her current post until after the party presidential election in September. He said this was to maintain continuity in the administration, but it seems Kan actually wanted to avoid confrontations and confusion within the party over the selection of her successor.
菅首相は今回、落選した千葉法相を代表選後まで留任させることを決めた。表向きは「行政の継続性」を理由にしているが、実際は後任人事をめぐる党内の対立や混乱を避けるためと見られる。
There is little precedent for a person who has lost his or her Diet seat to stay in a ministerial post for more than a month. Though Chiba's post is not as important as the finance and foreign ministers, the popular judgment regarding Chiba should be taken more seriously. We question Kan's decision to retain Chiba as justice minister.
落選した閣僚を１か月以上続投させた例はほとんどない。財務、外務など主要閣僚でないとはいえ、国民の審判は重い。留任の判断には疑問が残る。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 13, 2010)
（2010年7月13日01時30分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 13, 2010)
Voters give DPJ policy the thumbs-down
参院選民主敗北 バラマキと迷走に厳しい審判（7月12日付・読売社説）
Voters have passed a stinging judgment on the Democratic Party of Japan's 10 months in government since it came to power following last summer's general election.
昨年夏の衆院選で政権交代を果たし、その後の政権運営の評価を問う民主党に対し、有権者は厳しい審判を下した。
The DPJ suffered a crushing defeat in Sunday's House of Councillors election and fell far short of the 54 seats targeted by Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who also is DPJ president. Justice Minister Keiko Chiba lost her seat. The DPJ and its tiny coalition partner, the People's New Party, failed to hold their majority in the 242-seat upper house, including uncontested seats.
１１日投開票の参院選で民主党は、菅首相が目標に掲げた改選５４議席を大きく下回り、敗北した。千葉法相も落選した。連立与党の議席も、非改選を含め過半数に届かなかった。
The election has led to a divided Diet in which the House of Representatives is controlled by the ruling camp and the upper chamber by opposition parties. To gain a majority in the upper house, the DPJ has no alternative but to stitch together a coalition with one or more opposition parties.
この結果、衆参両院で多数派が異なる「ねじれ国会」になる。民主党は、参院の過半数を確保するため、野党との連立を模索せざるを得ない状況だ。
At a news conference after the election, Kan insisted he would stay on, saying, "I would like to continue to responsibly manage the government." However, Kan's political clout has undeniably been weakened. Political chaos is all but certain as moves grow within the DPJ demanding the party leadership--including Kan--take responsibility for the election loss.
菅首相は記者会見で「責任ある政権運営を続けたい」と、続投の意向を表明したが、求心力の低下は否めない。首相を含めた党執行部の責任問題が浮上する可能性もあり、混乱は避けられまい。
Kan's handling of the consumption tax issue was the biggest factor behind the DPJ's setback.
民主党の最大の敗因は、菅首相の消費税問題への対応だ。
Kan hinted the rate could be lifted to 10 percent, a move echoing the Liberal Democratic Party's campaign pledge. But Kan failed to properly explain the purpose of the tax increase and how the revenue would be used. He compounded his problems by making inconsistent remarks on tax refunds for low-income earners.
自民党の消費税率１０％への引き上げ公約に乗る形で税率引き上げに言及したが、税率アップの狙いや使途などについて十分説明を尽くさず、低所得者対策に関する発言も揺らいだ。
The DPJ was not unified on the consumption tax. Some party members openly opposed Kan's tax policy.
首相の方針に対して、民主党内から公然と批判が出るなど、党内不一致も露呈した。
Of course, other factors also contributed to the election defeat, including political funding scandals that tainted former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and former party Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa; the Hatoyama administration's bumbling of the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture; and deadlock over handout policies such as child-rearing allowances.
無論、鳩山前首相、小沢一郎・前幹事長の「政治とカネ」の問題をはじめ、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題の迷走、子ども手当などバラマキ政策の行き詰まりなど、前政権の失政も響いた。
===
LDP's strategy successful
◆自民が改選第１党に◆
The LDP won the most seats contested Sunday, topping the number snared by the DPJ. The LDP's election tactics, such as fielding rookie candidates handpicked from public applicants, proved successful.
自民党は、今回の改選議席では民主党を上回った。公募による新人候補の擁立など選挙戦術も功を奏したとみられる。
Nevertheless, it is premature to conclude the LDP has made a full recovery.
もっとも、自民党が本格的に復調したと考えるのは早計だ。
The LDP rode to victory largely thanks to the DPJ's shortcomings. The LDP fared worse than the DPJ in the proportional representation bloc elections. Many voters probably were counting on the LDP to prevent the DPJ from "running wild."
民主党の敵失に乗じた面が大きく、比例選では民主党に及ばなかった。有権者は、民主党の“独走”を阻む役割を自民党に期待したのではないか。
Your Party made major gains by attracting voters disillusioned with both major parties. The party called for slashing the number of government employees and abolishing amakudari--a practice in which high-ranking government officials parachute into cushy jobs after retirement.
みんなの党は、公務員の大幅削減や天下り根絶などを唱えて、２大政党にあきたらない人々の票を吸い上げ、躍進した。
The party now has a responsibility to act in a manner befitting the number of seats it holds. The party might have to rethink some of its policies and behavior that smack of populism.
しかし、今後は、その議席数にふさわしい責任を果たさねばならない。ポピュリズム（大衆迎合主義）的な政策や言動は、改めざるを得ないだろう。
Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe, who had set the goal of positioning his party to hold a decisive say in the Diet, should not whip up political turmoil by taking advantage of the seats his party gained in Sunday's election.
キャスチングボートを握ることを目指していた渡辺代表は、今回の獲得議席を基に、政局を混乱させることがあってはなるまい。
===
Promote tax debate
◆消費税協議を進めよ◆
A hallmark of this election campaign was that the two major parties--the DPJ and the LDP--did not sidestep debate on a consumption tax hike.
今回の選挙戦の特徴は、民主、自民の２大政党が、消費税率引き上げという増税論議を避けずに戦ったことである。
According to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey during the campaign, two-thirds of respondents said a tax hike will be "necessary." This indicates public understanding of a consumption tax hike has solidified.
選挙中の本紙世論調査では、税率アップについて３人に２人が「必要」と答えていた。消費増税への理解は着実に進んでいるとみていいようだ。
On the campaign trail, Kan called for suprapartisan discussions on sweeping tax system reform, including an increase in the consumption tax. The LDP, for its part, wants a similar roundtable discussion on the matter.
菅首相は、選挙戦で消費税を含む税制の抜本改革に関する超党派の協議を呼びかけた。自民党も同種の「円卓会議」を主張した。
But it is unreasonable to launch such a debate while the DPJ-led government charges ahead with child-rearing allowances and other cash handouts. A responsible government would only enter discussions on a consumption tax hike after reviewing such handout policies.
だが、子ども手当などのバラマキ政策を放置し、協議を開始するのは無理がある。これらの政策を見直したうえ、消費税率引き上げに向けて協議を進めることが政治の責任と言える。
The DPJ and the LDP both should make concessions to start talks on the matter.
民主、自民両党は互いに歩み寄って協議に入るべきだ。
The end of August is the deadline for deciding on a construction method for a runaway at a replacement facility for the Futenma base and other relocation details. The government must follow through on the Futenma agreement reached with the United States and get bilateral ties back on track before U.S. President Barack Obama visits Japan in November.
普天間問題では、工法決定などの約束期限が８月末に迫っている。日米合意を誠実に履行し、日米関係を修復の軌道に乗せて、１１月のオバマ米大統領の来日につなげる努力が欠かせない。
The DPJ's election loss could embolden a group of party members who support Ozawa to strengthen moves to shake up the party leadership ahead of the party's presidential election in September.
今回の参院選敗北を受けて、民主党内では、小沢前幹事長支持グループなどが、９月の党代表選に向けて、執行部への揺さぶりを強める可能性がある。
But if Kan changes tack on the consumption tax and Futenma issue in the face of intraparty opposition, public confidence in his government will fade even further.
しかし、首相が、消費税や普天間の問題で示した方針を変更するようなことがあれば、国民の信頼を一層、失うだけだ。
Kan should maintain the pragmatic approach to domestic and diplomatic issues he adopted in a major break from the line taken by the Hatoyama administration.
鳩山前政権から大きく舵(かじ)を切った内政、外交の現実路線は、しっかり堅持すべきであろう。
The DPJ commands an absolute majority in the lower house. But the DPJ and the PNP hold fewer than two-thirds of the seats in the lower house, the threshold at which the ruling bloc can approve again--and pass--a bill voted down in the upper house.
民主党は、衆院では絶対安定多数を維持しているが、国民新党を加えても、参院で否決された法案を衆院で再可決するための３分の２以上の議席には達しない。
Consequently, the Kan administration will face a more difficult job in steering Diet business than the LDP-led administrations of three former prime ministers--Shinzo Abe, Yasuo Fukuda and Taro Aso--that also found themselves in a divided Diet.
この点では、自民党の安倍、福田、麻生の歴代政権よりも、厳しい国会運営が迫られる。
===
Policy-based coalition needed
◆連立は政策本位で◆
At the news conference, Kan said he would reach out to opposition parties to hold policy discussions and try to build a coalition government.
菅首相は記者会見で、野党との連立を視野に入れ、政策面の協議を行う考えを表明した。
He should remember that the coalition with the Social Democratic Party blew up in the DPJ's face because their security policies had little in common. The major premise for a coalition government should be that the parties involved share basic policies.
その際、安全保障政策で隔たりのある社民党との連立が政治を混乱させたことを忘れてはなるまい。連立政権は、基本政策の一致を大前提とすることが肝要だ。
With the next lower house election in mind, many opposition parties have said they will not join a coalition government. Therefore, the government will inevitably pursue a noncabinet partnership or a partial coalition with an opposition party on certain bills.
各野党は、次期衆院選をにらみ、連立政権には参加しないとしている。このため、閣外協力や、法案ごとに協力し合う「部分連合」も追求せざるを得ないだろう。
Many hurdles loom for the Kan administration, including an extraordinary Diet session and a DPJ presidential election.
菅政権の前途には、臨時国会や党代表選など、多くのハードルが待ち構えている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 12, 2010)
（2010年7月12日03時55分 読売新聞）
Voters give DPJ policy the thumbs-down
参院選民主敗北 バラマキと迷走に厳しい審判（7月12日付・読売社説）
Voters have passed a stinging judgment on the Democratic Party of Japan's 10 months in government since it came to power following last summer's general election.
昨年夏の衆院選で政権交代を果たし、その後の政権運営の評価を問う民主党に対し、有権者は厳しい審判を下した。
The DPJ suffered a crushing defeat in Sunday's House of Councillors election and fell far short of the 54 seats targeted by Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who also is DPJ president. Justice Minister Keiko Chiba lost her seat. The DPJ and its tiny coalition partner, the People's New Party, failed to hold their majority in the 242-seat upper house, including uncontested seats.
１１日投開票の参院選で民主党は、菅首相が目標に掲げた改選５４議席を大きく下回り、敗北した。千葉法相も落選した。連立与党の議席も、非改選を含め過半数に届かなかった。
The election has led to a divided Diet in which the House of Representatives is controlled by the ruling camp and the upper chamber by opposition parties. To gain a majority in the upper house, the DPJ has no alternative but to stitch together a coalition with one or more opposition parties.
この結果、衆参両院で多数派が異なる「ねじれ国会」になる。民主党は、参院の過半数を確保するため、野党との連立を模索せざるを得ない状況だ。
At a news conference after the election, Kan insisted he would stay on, saying, "I would like to continue to responsibly manage the government." However, Kan's political clout has undeniably been weakened. Political chaos is all but certain as moves grow within the DPJ demanding the party leadership--including Kan--take responsibility for the election loss.
菅首相は記者会見で「責任ある政権運営を続けたい」と、続投の意向を表明したが、求心力の低下は否めない。首相を含めた党執行部の責任問題が浮上する可能性もあり、混乱は避けられまい。
Kan's handling of the consumption tax issue was the biggest factor behind the DPJ's setback.
民主党の最大の敗因は、菅首相の消費税問題への対応だ。
Kan hinted the rate could be lifted to 10 percent, a move echoing the Liberal Democratic Party's campaign pledge. But Kan failed to properly explain the purpose of the tax increase and how the revenue would be used. He compounded his problems by making inconsistent remarks on tax refunds for low-income earners.
自民党の消費税率１０％への引き上げ公約に乗る形で税率引き上げに言及したが、税率アップの狙いや使途などについて十分説明を尽くさず、低所得者対策に関する発言も揺らいだ。
The DPJ was not unified on the consumption tax. Some party members openly opposed Kan's tax policy.
首相の方針に対して、民主党内から公然と批判が出るなど、党内不一致も露呈した。
Of course, other factors also contributed to the election defeat, including political funding scandals that tainted former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and former party Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa; the Hatoyama administration's bumbling of the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture; and deadlock over handout policies such as child-rearing allowances.
無論、鳩山前首相、小沢一郎・前幹事長の「政治とカネ」の問題をはじめ、米軍普天間飛行場移設問題の迷走、子ども手当などバラマキ政策の行き詰まりなど、前政権の失政も響いた。
===
LDP's strategy successful
◆自民が改選第１党に◆
The LDP won the most seats contested Sunday, topping the number snared by the DPJ. The LDP's election tactics, such as fielding rookie candidates handpicked from public applicants, proved successful.
自民党は、今回の改選議席では民主党を上回った。公募による新人候補の擁立など選挙戦術も功を奏したとみられる。
Nevertheless, it is premature to conclude the LDP has made a full recovery.
もっとも、自民党が本格的に復調したと考えるのは早計だ。
The LDP rode to victory largely thanks to the DPJ's shortcomings. The LDP fared worse than the DPJ in the proportional representation bloc elections. Many voters probably were counting on the LDP to prevent the DPJ from "running wild."
民主党の敵失に乗じた面が大きく、比例選では民主党に及ばなかった。有権者は、民主党の“独走”を阻む役割を自民党に期待したのではないか。
Your Party made major gains by attracting voters disillusioned with both major parties. The party called for slashing the number of government employees and abolishing amakudari--a practice in which high-ranking government officials parachute into cushy jobs after retirement.
みんなの党は、公務員の大幅削減や天下り根絶などを唱えて、２大政党にあきたらない人々の票を吸い上げ、躍進した。
The party now has a responsibility to act in a manner befitting the number of seats it holds. The party might have to rethink some of its policies and behavior that smack of populism.
しかし、今後は、その議席数にふさわしい責任を果たさねばならない。ポピュリズム（大衆迎合主義）的な政策や言動は、改めざるを得ないだろう。
Party leader Yoshimi Watanabe, who had set the goal of positioning his party to hold a decisive say in the Diet, should not whip up political turmoil by taking advantage of the seats his party gained in Sunday's election.
キャスチングボートを握ることを目指していた渡辺代表は、今回の獲得議席を基に、政局を混乱させることがあってはなるまい。
===
Promote tax debate
◆消費税協議を進めよ◆
A hallmark of this election campaign was that the two major parties--the DPJ and the LDP--did not sidestep debate on a consumption tax hike.
今回の選挙戦の特徴は、民主、自民の２大政党が、消費税率引き上げという増税論議を避けずに戦ったことである。
According to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey during the campaign, two-thirds of respondents said a tax hike will be "necessary." This indicates public understanding of a consumption tax hike has solidified.
選挙中の本紙世論調査では、税率アップについて３人に２人が「必要」と答えていた。消費増税への理解は着実に進んでいるとみていいようだ。
On the campaign trail, Kan called for suprapartisan discussions on sweeping tax system reform, including an increase in the consumption tax. The LDP, for its part, wants a similar roundtable discussion on the matter.
菅首相は、選挙戦で消費税を含む税制の抜本改革に関する超党派の協議を呼びかけた。自民党も同種の「円卓会議」を主張した。
But it is unreasonable to launch such a debate while the DPJ-led government charges ahead with child-rearing allowances and other cash handouts. A responsible government would only enter discussions on a consumption tax hike after reviewing such handout policies.
だが、子ども手当などのバラマキ政策を放置し、協議を開始するのは無理がある。これらの政策を見直したうえ、消費税率引き上げに向けて協議を進めることが政治の責任と言える。
The DPJ and the LDP both should make concessions to start talks on the matter.
民主、自民両党は互いに歩み寄って協議に入るべきだ。
The end of August is the deadline for deciding on a construction method for a runaway at a replacement facility for the Futenma base and other relocation details. The government must follow through on the Futenma agreement reached with the United States and get bilateral ties back on track before U.S. President Barack Obama visits Japan in November.
普天間問題では、工法決定などの約束期限が８月末に迫っている。日米合意を誠実に履行し、日米関係を修復の軌道に乗せて、１１月のオバマ米大統領の来日につなげる努力が欠かせない。
The DPJ's election loss could embolden a group of party members who support Ozawa to strengthen moves to shake up the party leadership ahead of the party's presidential election in September.
今回の参院選敗北を受けて、民主党内では、小沢前幹事長支持グループなどが、９月の党代表選に向けて、執行部への揺さぶりを強める可能性がある。
But if Kan changes tack on the consumption tax and Futenma issue in the face of intraparty opposition, public confidence in his government will fade even further.
しかし、首相が、消費税や普天間の問題で示した方針を変更するようなことがあれば、国民の信頼を一層、失うだけだ。
Kan should maintain the pragmatic approach to domestic and diplomatic issues he adopted in a major break from the line taken by the Hatoyama administration.
鳩山前政権から大きく舵(かじ)を切った内政、外交の現実路線は、しっかり堅持すべきであろう。
The DPJ commands an absolute majority in the lower house. But the DPJ and the PNP hold fewer than two-thirds of the seats in the lower house, the threshold at which the ruling bloc can approve again--and pass--a bill voted down in the upper house.
民主党は、衆院では絶対安定多数を維持しているが、国民新党を加えても、参院で否決された法案を衆院で再可決するための３分の２以上の議席には達しない。
Consequently, the Kan administration will face a more difficult job in steering Diet business than the LDP-led administrations of three former prime ministers--Shinzo Abe, Yasuo Fukuda and Taro Aso--that also found themselves in a divided Diet.
この点では、自民党の安倍、福田、麻生の歴代政権よりも、厳しい国会運営が迫られる。
===
Policy-based coalition needed
◆連立は政策本位で◆
At the news conference, Kan said he would reach out to opposition parties to hold policy discussions and try to build a coalition government.
菅首相は記者会見で、野党との連立を視野に入れ、政策面の協議を行う考えを表明した。
He should remember that the coalition with the Social Democratic Party blew up in the DPJ's face because their security policies had little in common. The major premise for a coalition government should be that the parties involved share basic policies.
その際、安全保障政策で隔たりのある社民党との連立が政治を混乱させたことを忘れてはなるまい。連立政権は、基本政策の一致を大前提とすることが肝要だ。
With the next lower house election in mind, many opposition parties have said they will not join a coalition government. Therefore, the government will inevitably pursue a noncabinet partnership or a partial coalition with an opposition party on certain bills.
各野党は、次期衆院選をにらみ、連立政権には参加しないとしている。このため、閣外協力や、法案ごとに協力し合う「部分連合」も追求せざるを得ないだろう。
Many hurdles loom for the Kan administration, including an extraordinary Diet session and a DPJ presidential election.
菅政権の前途には、臨時国会や党代表選など、多くのハードルが待ち構えている。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 12, 2010)
（2010年7月12日03時55分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 9, 2010)
Japan Post Service must put customers first
ゆうパック遅配 顧客第一の視点を忘れるな（7月8日付・読売社説）
If a door-to-door delivery company cannot deliver parcels to customers on the promised delivery day, it has little prospect of survival amid the fierce competition in the industry.
荷物を約束の期日に届けられないようでは、宅配業界の厳しい競争を勝ち残るのは難しい。
Major delivery delays have occurred in the operations of Yu-Pack, a nationwide home delivery service offered by Japan Post Group.
日本郵政グループが全国展開する宅配便「ゆうパック」で、大規模な配達の遅れが発生した。
Japan Post Service Co. integrated its Yu-Pack program with the Pelican parcel delivery service of Nippon Express Co. on July 1. But mishaps involving the operation of newly introduced information processing terminals occurred frequently, due to employees' inexperience in using the devices, among other reasons. Since it is the summer gift-giving season, parcel deliveries were peaking, further complicating the problem.
７月１日に日本通運のペリカン便と統合したが、新たに導入した情報処理端末などに不慣れなため操作ミスが多発した。お中元のシーズンで、荷物が多かったことも混乱に拍車をかけた。
Consequently, more than 300,000 parcels were delayed by periods ranging from 12 hours to more than two days. It took a full week for Japan Post Service to bring the situation almost under control.
結局、３０万個を超える荷物が予定より半日から２日以上も遅れ、混乱がほぼ収拾するまでに１週間もかかった。
===
Unforgivable blunder
This is a major blunder by a professional distributor that cannot be easily overlooked. Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi summoned Japan Post Service President Shinichi Nabekura to the ministry to express disappointment over the delays. Haraguchi demanded Nabekura submit a report outlining the hows and whys of the problem and specifying actions the company will take to improve the situation.
物流のプロとして、あまりの失態である。原口総務相も郵便事業会社の鍋倉真一社長を呼んで遺憾の意を伝え、経緯や今後の対応などを報告するよう求めた。
Japan Post Service must thoroughly investigate why these problems happened and take all necessary steps to prevent their recurrence.
郵便事業会社は、原因を徹底解明し、再発防止に万全を期さねばならない。
Japan Post Service planned to catch and surpass Yamato Transport Co. and Sagawa Express Co., the two giants in the industry, by integrating Yu-Pack and Pelican services to boost earning capacity. Yet Japan Post Service's plan fell apart from the beginning.
ゆうパックはペリカン便との統合で収益力を高め、ヤマト運輸と佐川急便という業界の２強を追撃する構えだったが、出足からつまずいた形となった。
Japan Post Service had stated that its preparations were more than sufficient. However, there is no question the company failed to properly train its employees in the new work process.
会社側は、準備は万全だったと釈明しているが、研修による作業手順の徹底など、備えが足りなかった面は否めない。
It has been reported that Japan Post Service proceeded with the July 1 integration, fully aware it was in a busy season, to speed streamlining of the deficit-plagued Pelican service. Thus, the company deserves criticism for lacking a "customer-first" perspective.
赤字続きのペリカン便の合理化を急ぐため、繁忙期を承知で７月の事業統合を強行したとされる。「顧客第一」の視点が欠けていたと言われても仕方あるまい。
Japan Post Service management took lightly the problems that began on July 1 and did not even acknowledge them until Sunday. This attitude has resulted in the loss of consumer trust. It is important the company strictly examine where the blame lies as it assesses the problems. That will be the first step to enable the company to make a fresh start.
１日に始まったトラブルを軽視し、４日まで発表しなかった経営陣の姿勢も信頼を損なった。こうした判断のどこに問題があったのか、厳しく検証することが、出直しの第一歩となる。
===
Establish stable system
Due to the delays, some catalog retailers were forced to change from using Yu-Pack to other home delivery services to send their goods to customers. The high degree of accuracy--delivering parcels to the minute--is the hallmark of the home delivery business.
遅配をきっかけに、商品の配送をゆうパックから別の宅配便に切り替えた通販業者もある。時間通りに配達する精度の高さが、宅配便の命である。
To prevent customers from taking their business elsewhere, Japan Post Service must establish a stable collection and delivery system as soon as possible. It is also important the company take sincere steps to compensate customers for damages brought about by the delays, such as for the costs of parcel reshipment.
顧客離れを防ぐため、安定した集配体制の確立を急がねばならない。商品の再発送など、遅配によって生じた被害への誠実な対応も重要である。
With the wide use of e-mail, the use of postcards and letters has decreased, causing dwindling revenue for the postal business. Amid this backdrop, we see no end to postal service-related scandals such as a large quantity of undelivered mail.
電子メールの普及で、はがきや手紙の利用が減って、郵便事業はじり貧になりつつある。にもかかわらず、郵便物の放置など不祥事が後を絶たない。
The Yu-Pack delays took place under these circumstances. Some analysts point out the problems might greatly damage the operations of Japan Post Service.
その中で起きた今回の遅配問題だ。経営に大きなダメージを与える恐れも指摘されている。
Not only Japan Post Service management, but all its employees, should be fully aware of their responsibility to unerringly operate the important distribution network and redouble efforts to tighten up their corporate discipline.
経営陣はもとより、全社員が大事なネットワークを担う責任を改めて自覚し、緩んだタガを締め直してほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 8, 2010)
（2010年7月8日01時58分 読売新聞）
Japan Post Service must put customers first
ゆうパック遅配 顧客第一の視点を忘れるな（7月8日付・読売社説）
If a door-to-door delivery company cannot deliver parcels to customers on the promised delivery day, it has little prospect of survival amid the fierce competition in the industry.
荷物を約束の期日に届けられないようでは、宅配業界の厳しい競争を勝ち残るのは難しい。
Major delivery delays have occurred in the operations of Yu-Pack, a nationwide home delivery service offered by Japan Post Group.
日本郵政グループが全国展開する宅配便「ゆうパック」で、大規模な配達の遅れが発生した。
Japan Post Service Co. integrated its Yu-Pack program with the Pelican parcel delivery service of Nippon Express Co. on July 1. But mishaps involving the operation of newly introduced information processing terminals occurred frequently, due to employees' inexperience in using the devices, among other reasons. Since it is the summer gift-giving season, parcel deliveries were peaking, further complicating the problem.
７月１日に日本通運のペリカン便と統合したが、新たに導入した情報処理端末などに不慣れなため操作ミスが多発した。お中元のシーズンで、荷物が多かったことも混乱に拍車をかけた。
Consequently, more than 300,000 parcels were delayed by periods ranging from 12 hours to more than two days. It took a full week for Japan Post Service to bring the situation almost under control.
結局、３０万個を超える荷物が予定より半日から２日以上も遅れ、混乱がほぼ収拾するまでに１週間もかかった。
===
Unforgivable blunder
This is a major blunder by a professional distributor that cannot be easily overlooked. Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi summoned Japan Post Service President Shinichi Nabekura to the ministry to express disappointment over the delays. Haraguchi demanded Nabekura submit a report outlining the hows and whys of the problem and specifying actions the company will take to improve the situation.
物流のプロとして、あまりの失態である。原口総務相も郵便事業会社の鍋倉真一社長を呼んで遺憾の意を伝え、経緯や今後の対応などを報告するよう求めた。
Japan Post Service must thoroughly investigate why these problems happened and take all necessary steps to prevent their recurrence.
郵便事業会社は、原因を徹底解明し、再発防止に万全を期さねばならない。
Japan Post Service planned to catch and surpass Yamato Transport Co. and Sagawa Express Co., the two giants in the industry, by integrating Yu-Pack and Pelican services to boost earning capacity. Yet Japan Post Service's plan fell apart from the beginning.
ゆうパックはペリカン便との統合で収益力を高め、ヤマト運輸と佐川急便という業界の２強を追撃する構えだったが、出足からつまずいた形となった。
Japan Post Service had stated that its preparations were more than sufficient. However, there is no question the company failed to properly train its employees in the new work process.
会社側は、準備は万全だったと釈明しているが、研修による作業手順の徹底など、備えが足りなかった面は否めない。
It has been reported that Japan Post Service proceeded with the July 1 integration, fully aware it was in a busy season, to speed streamlining of the deficit-plagued Pelican service. Thus, the company deserves criticism for lacking a "customer-first" perspective.
赤字続きのペリカン便の合理化を急ぐため、繁忙期を承知で７月の事業統合を強行したとされる。「顧客第一」の視点が欠けていたと言われても仕方あるまい。
Japan Post Service management took lightly the problems that began on July 1 and did not even acknowledge them until Sunday. This attitude has resulted in the loss of consumer trust. It is important the company strictly examine where the blame lies as it assesses the problems. That will be the first step to enable the company to make a fresh start.
１日に始まったトラブルを軽視し、４日まで発表しなかった経営陣の姿勢も信頼を損なった。こうした判断のどこに問題があったのか、厳しく検証することが、出直しの第一歩となる。
===
Establish stable system
Due to the delays, some catalog retailers were forced to change from using Yu-Pack to other home delivery services to send their goods to customers. The high degree of accuracy--delivering parcels to the minute--is the hallmark of the home delivery business.
遅配をきっかけに、商品の配送をゆうパックから別の宅配便に切り替えた通販業者もある。時間通りに配達する精度の高さが、宅配便の命である。
To prevent customers from taking their business elsewhere, Japan Post Service must establish a stable collection and delivery system as soon as possible. It is also important the company take sincere steps to compensate customers for damages brought about by the delays, such as for the costs of parcel reshipment.
顧客離れを防ぐため、安定した集配体制の確立を急がねばならない。商品の再発送など、遅配によって生じた被害への誠実な対応も重要である。
With the wide use of e-mail, the use of postcards and letters has decreased, causing dwindling revenue for the postal business. Amid this backdrop, we see no end to postal service-related scandals such as a large quantity of undelivered mail.
電子メールの普及で、はがきや手紙の利用が減って、郵便事業はじり貧になりつつある。にもかかわらず、郵便物の放置など不祥事が後を絶たない。
The Yu-Pack delays took place under these circumstances. Some analysts point out the problems might greatly damage the operations of Japan Post Service.
その中で起きた今回の遅配問題だ。経営に大きなダメージを与える恐れも指摘されている。
Not only Japan Post Service management, but all its employees, should be fully aware of their responsibility to unerringly operate the important distribution network and redouble efforts to tighten up their corporate discipline.
経営陣はもとより、全社員が大事なネットワークを担う責任を改めて自覚し、緩んだタガを締め直してほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 8, 2010)
（2010年7月8日01時58分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 8, 2010)
Sumo's fight to regain fans' trust starts now
大相撲中継中止 ファンの落胆に再生で応えよ（7月7日付・読売社説）
Public broadcaster NHK has decided it will not broadcast live coverage of the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament after revelations of widespread illegal gambling on professional baseball games by sumo wrestlers and officials, a scandal that has rocked this country's traditional sport.
野球賭博問題で揺れる大相撲名古屋場所について、ＮＨＫは中継放送をしないことを決めた。
This will be the first time NHK has dropped live broadcasts of sumo tournaments since it began the service on TV in 1953 and on radio in 1928, except for a period during World War II. The decision will certainly disappoint many sumo fans.
テレビは１９５３年から、ラジオは２８年から続く中継が戦時中を除き、初めて中止になる。がっかりした相撲ファンは多いことだろう。
NHK will air daily wrapups after each day's action has finished. However, this will offer viewers little of the excitement that comes with watching a live broadcast.
取組終了後にダイジェスト番組を放送するというが、生放送の醍醐(だいご)味とはほど遠い。
Knowing their bouts were being aired live greatly encouraged sumo wrestlers as they put themselves through grueling practice to prepare for each tournament. Wrestlers who had nothing to do with the gambling scandal will undoubtedly be extremely frustrated by NHK's decision.
日々稽古(けいこ)に汗を流す力士たちにとっても中継は大きな励みだったろう。賭博問題とかかわりのない力士たちは、さぞ悔しい思いをしているに違いない。
NHK President Shigeo Fukuchi said two factors led to the station's decision: The Japan Sumo Association has yet to present concrete steps to reform itself; and more than 60 percent of 12,000 viewers who contacted NHK about the gambling scandal wanted the plug pulled on live broadcasts.
中止の理由についてＮＨＫの福地茂雄会長は、日本相撲協会の改革の取り組みに「具体的な道筋が見えていない」こと、１万２０００件に上る視聴者からの意見の６割以上が「中継をやめるべきだ」と言っていることを挙げた。
===
Viewers split
But many other people felt strongly that the tournament should be broadcast live, and the majority of wrestlers were not involved in the gambling. Given these factors, NHK certainly had the option of broadcasting the tournament live.
一方で、中継を強く望む声があり、賭博と無縁の力士も多いことを考えれば、中継に踏み切る選択肢もあったはずだ。
NHK nevertheless has made a decision that reflects its position as a public broadcaster, as it cannot ignore viewers' strict opinions and given the fact that the JSA's efforts to reform itself remain tenuous at best.
それでも中止を決めたのは、相撲協会の改革の姿勢になお疑念が残り、視聴者の厳しい声を無視できない、公共放送としてのやむを得ない判断だったのだろう。
The JSA must be held responsible for allowing such a disturbing situation to happen.
この事態を招いた責任は、言うまでもなく相撲協会にある。
The association has dismissed ozeki Kotomitsuki and stablemaster Otake (former sekiwake Takatoriki). The Nagoya tournament will start under extraordinary circumstances--six other wrestlers in the top makuuchi division as well as JSA Chairman Musashigawa and several other stablemasters have been suspended.
相撲協会は、大関琴光喜と大嶽親方（元関脇貴闘力）を解雇処分にした。幕内だけでも、琴光喜以外に６人の力士が出場停止、武蔵川理事長ら多数の親方も謹慎という異常な事態の中で名古屋場所を迎えることになった。
With these punitive measures, the JSA appeared to have made efforts to resolve the problem. When appointing an acting chairman, however, some stablemasters reportedly were opposed to naming Hiroyoshi Murayama, a former Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office chief, to the post. They insisted the acting chairman should have a sumo background.
相撲協会として一定のけじめをつけた格好だが、理事長代行の人選では、村山弘義・元東京高検検事長の就任に難色を示し、あくまで角界内部からの選出を求める声が一部の親方から上がった。
We are disappointed with the association's inability to shed its self-centered nature in a situation like this.
この期に及んでも、内向きの論理を捨てきれない体質には、あきれるばかりだ。
===
Not the 1st time
The JSA has been battered by a string of scandals in recent years, including the fatal assault of a junior sumo wrestler by fellow wrestlers, illegal drug use, and, most recently, gangsters being broadcast on TV while sitting in prime ringside seats after allegedly receiving tickets from a stablemaster. Each time, the association promised to clean up its act. Unfortunately, it has failed to do so.
力士暴行死や大麻事件、土俵近くの特別席に座る暴力団関係者が中継に映った問題など、不祥事の度に相撲協会は再発防止を誓ってきたものの、自浄能力は発揮できなかった。
The JSA will set up a reform committee tasked with reviewing the organization. The committee reportedly will consider ways to sever sumo's ties with organized crime syndicates and improve the association's crisis management. We hope the committee will be formed from third-party members and exert strong leadership in overhauling sumo's governing body.
相撲協会は、組織の見直しを進める改革委員会の設置を決めた。暴力団との決別や危機管理のあり方などを検討するという。改革委は外部メンバーで構成し、強力なリーダーシップを発揮して抜本改革に取り組んでほしい。
The sumo world must quickly start trying to revive itself. Sumo wrestlers will only be able to satisfy sumo fans by competing hard in the ring.
大相撲再生の第一歩を踏み出すために、改革の推進は待ったなしだ。土俵でもファンが納得する熱戦を繰り広げるしかない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 7, 2010)
（2010年7月7日01時51分 読売新聞）
Sumo's fight to regain fans' trust starts now
大相撲中継中止 ファンの落胆に再生で応えよ（7月7日付・読売社説）
Public broadcaster NHK has decided it will not broadcast live coverage of the upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament after revelations of widespread illegal gambling on professional baseball games by sumo wrestlers and officials, a scandal that has rocked this country's traditional sport.
野球賭博問題で揺れる大相撲名古屋場所について、ＮＨＫは中継放送をしないことを決めた。
This will be the first time NHK has dropped live broadcasts of sumo tournaments since it began the service on TV in 1953 and on radio in 1928, except for a period during World War II. The decision will certainly disappoint many sumo fans.
テレビは１９５３年から、ラジオは２８年から続く中継が戦時中を除き、初めて中止になる。がっかりした相撲ファンは多いことだろう。
NHK will air daily wrapups after each day's action has finished. However, this will offer viewers little of the excitement that comes with watching a live broadcast.
取組終了後にダイジェスト番組を放送するというが、生放送の醍醐(だいご)味とはほど遠い。
Knowing their bouts were being aired live greatly encouraged sumo wrestlers as they put themselves through grueling practice to prepare for each tournament. Wrestlers who had nothing to do with the gambling scandal will undoubtedly be extremely frustrated by NHK's decision.
日々稽古(けいこ)に汗を流す力士たちにとっても中継は大きな励みだったろう。賭博問題とかかわりのない力士たちは、さぞ悔しい思いをしているに違いない。
NHK President Shigeo Fukuchi said two factors led to the station's decision: The Japan Sumo Association has yet to present concrete steps to reform itself; and more than 60 percent of 12,000 viewers who contacted NHK about the gambling scandal wanted the plug pulled on live broadcasts.
中止の理由についてＮＨＫの福地茂雄会長は、日本相撲協会の改革の取り組みに「具体的な道筋が見えていない」こと、１万２０００件に上る視聴者からの意見の６割以上が「中継をやめるべきだ」と言っていることを挙げた。
===
Viewers split
But many other people felt strongly that the tournament should be broadcast live, and the majority of wrestlers were not involved in the gambling. Given these factors, NHK certainly had the option of broadcasting the tournament live.
一方で、中継を強く望む声があり、賭博と無縁の力士も多いことを考えれば、中継に踏み切る選択肢もあったはずだ。
NHK nevertheless has made a decision that reflects its position as a public broadcaster, as it cannot ignore viewers' strict opinions and given the fact that the JSA's efforts to reform itself remain tenuous at best.
それでも中止を決めたのは、相撲協会の改革の姿勢になお疑念が残り、視聴者の厳しい声を無視できない、公共放送としてのやむを得ない判断だったのだろう。
The JSA must be held responsible for allowing such a disturbing situation to happen.
この事態を招いた責任は、言うまでもなく相撲協会にある。
The association has dismissed ozeki Kotomitsuki and stablemaster Otake (former sekiwake Takatoriki). The Nagoya tournament will start under extraordinary circumstances--six other wrestlers in the top makuuchi division as well as JSA Chairman Musashigawa and several other stablemasters have been suspended.
相撲協会は、大関琴光喜と大嶽親方（元関脇貴闘力）を解雇処分にした。幕内だけでも、琴光喜以外に６人の力士が出場停止、武蔵川理事長ら多数の親方も謹慎という異常な事態の中で名古屋場所を迎えることになった。
With these punitive measures, the JSA appeared to have made efforts to resolve the problem. When appointing an acting chairman, however, some stablemasters reportedly were opposed to naming Hiroyoshi Murayama, a former Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office chief, to the post. They insisted the acting chairman should have a sumo background.
相撲協会として一定のけじめをつけた格好だが、理事長代行の人選では、村山弘義・元東京高検検事長の就任に難色を示し、あくまで角界内部からの選出を求める声が一部の親方から上がった。
We are disappointed with the association's inability to shed its self-centered nature in a situation like this.
この期に及んでも、内向きの論理を捨てきれない体質には、あきれるばかりだ。
===
Not the 1st time
The JSA has been battered by a string of scandals in recent years, including the fatal assault of a junior sumo wrestler by fellow wrestlers, illegal drug use, and, most recently, gangsters being broadcast on TV while sitting in prime ringside seats after allegedly receiving tickets from a stablemaster. Each time, the association promised to clean up its act. Unfortunately, it has failed to do so.
力士暴行死や大麻事件、土俵近くの特別席に座る暴力団関係者が中継に映った問題など、不祥事の度に相撲協会は再発防止を誓ってきたものの、自浄能力は発揮できなかった。
The JSA will set up a reform committee tasked with reviewing the organization. The committee reportedly will consider ways to sever sumo's ties with organized crime syndicates and improve the association's crisis management. We hope the committee will be formed from third-party members and exert strong leadership in overhauling sumo's governing body.
相撲協会は、組織の見直しを進める改革委員会の設置を決めた。暴力団との決別や危機管理のあり方などを検討するという。改革委は外部メンバーで構成し、強力なリーダーシップを発揮して抜本改革に取り組んでほしい。
The sumo world must quickly start trying to revive itself. Sumo wrestlers will only be able to satisfy sumo fans by competing hard in the ring.
大相撲再生の第一歩を踏み出すために、改革の推進は待ったなしだ。土俵でもファンが納得する熱戦を繰り広げるしかない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 7, 2010)
（2010年7月7日01時51分 読売新聞）
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 7, 2010)
Copyrights must be strictly protected
著作権の制限 知的財産は厳格に守るべきだ（7月6日付・読売社説）
We are concerned that a proposal by a government panel may destroy the basic premise of the Copyright Law that intellectual property rights must be strictly protected.
知的財産権は厳格に守る、という著作権法の大前提が崩れていくのではないか。そんな懸念を抱かせる提言だ。
A subcommittee of the Cultural Affairs Council of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has proposed in an interim report the introduction of general provisions that would limit the exclusive rights of copyright holders--a Japanese version of the so-called fair use doctrine.
文化審議会の小委員会は、著作者の権利を制約する「権利制限の一般規定」（日本版フェアユース規定）の導入を求める「中間まとめ」を発表した。
Japan's Copyright Law stipulates cases in which copyrighted materials may be used without the permission of the rights holders, such as the copying of materials by an individual for private use or citing them for reporting or research purposes.
著作権法は、許諾を得ずに著作物を利用できる事例として、個人が私的目的で行う複製や、報道・研究目的での引用などを具体的に列挙している。
===
For the greater good?
Under U.S. law, however, copyrighted materials can be used freely as long as it is considered fair use. This system is based on the idea that it will be of greater benefit to society if the abridgment and other utilization of copyrighted materials are allowed as fair use.
これに対し米国では、「公正な利用」ならば、著作物を自由に利用することができる。いわゆるフェアユースの制度だ。著作物の要約などを公正な利用として許容することが、社会のより大きな利益になるとの考えが根底にある。
Whether a certain type of use is fair is decided by courts based on a comprehensive analysis of four factors, including the purpose of the utilization and its effect upon the potential market for the copyrighted work. There are more than 100 years of judicial precedents on fair use in the United States.
公正か否かは、裁判所が著作物の使用目的や市場への影響などから総合的に判断する。１００年以上に及ぶ判例の蓄積もある。
For instance, Google Inc. has begun digitizing publications based on the fair use doctrine without acquiring permission from their copyright holders. The Authors Guilds and the Association of American Publishers in the United States have filed a lawsuit against this digital database project.
例えばグーグル社は、フェアユースを根拠に、無断で書籍のデジタル複製を進めた。全米作家組合などが裁判に訴え、一時は日本の著作者への影響も懸念された。
There were fears initially that the project might infringe on the rights of Japanese authors and publishers, but Google later excluded Japan publications from its database.
The fair use system is disadvantageous to copyright holders.
権利者には不利な制度である。
The development of Internet technology is quickly changing how copyrighted materials are utilized. Some experts have said the introduction of U.S.-type general provisions would facilitate the use of copyrighted materials more than revising relevant provisions as needed would.
ネット技術の発展により、著作物の利用形態は急速に変化している。必要に応じて個別規定を改正するよりも、米国型の一般規定を設けた方が、著作物の利用が円滑に進むとの意見もある。
===
Abstract language risky
In the latest interim report, the subcommittee rejected the introduction of U.S.-style provisions on fair use. At the same time, it urged the introduction of general provisions to ease copyrights, so as to allow such practices as the inclusion of artwork in the background of portrait photos or the copying of musical works as needed to develop better technology for music reproduction.
今回の「中間まとめ」は、米国型フェアユース規定の導入は退けた。一方で、人物写真の背景に美術作品が写り込む場合や、音楽再生技術の開発の際に必要な複製などに限って認める「権利制限の一般規定」を設けることとした。
The subcommittee is apparently envisioning provisions stated in abstract terms, such as allowing "incidental" use of copyrighted works, and probably aims to first introduce general provisions in fields where it is possible. 例えば、著作物の「付随的」利用を認めるといった、抽象的表現の規定を想定しているようだ。可能な分野から一般規定を導入するということなのだろう。
However, provisions that can be interpreted in various ways risk leading to infringement of intellectual property rights.
しかし、様々に解釈されかねない規定は、知的財産権の侵害につながる恐れがある。
We believe that the use of copyrighted materials without acquiring the permission of the copyright holders should be limited in principle only to highly public fields such as education or journalism. It is reasonable to first acquire permission from copyright holders if something is to be used for business purposes.
やはり、著作物の利用は学校教育や報道など公共性の高い分野に原則として限られるべきだ。ビジネスのための利用なら、まず権利者の了解を得るのが筋だろう。
If the contents of the Copyright Law do not correspond to reality, each provision should be revised as necessary. Laws can be revised quickly these days.
著作権法の内容が現実に合わなければ、必要に応じ個別規定を改めればよい。近年は、法改正も迅速に行われるようになった。
Among European countries, Germany and France have not introduced general provisions on limitations of copyrights.
欧州の独仏なども「権利制限の一般規定」は導入していない。
Intellectual property rights are a boon for the creative activities of human beings. Legal revisions that could facilitate infringement of that will lead to serious problems in the future.
知的財産は人間の創造活動の賜物(たまもの)でもある。その侵害を助長するような法改正は、将来に大きな禍根を残しかねない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 6, 2010)
（2010年7月6日01時43分 読売新聞）
Copyrights must be strictly protected
著作権の制限 知的財産は厳格に守るべきだ（7月6日付・読売社説）
We are concerned that a proposal by a government panel may destroy the basic premise of the Copyright Law that intellectual property rights must be strictly protected.
知的財産権は厳格に守る、という著作権法の大前提が崩れていくのではないか。そんな懸念を抱かせる提言だ。
A subcommittee of the Cultural Affairs Council of the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry has proposed in an interim report the introduction of general provisions that would limit the exclusive rights of copyright holders--a Japanese version of the so-called fair use doctrine.
文化審議会の小委員会は、著作者の権利を制約する「権利制限の一般規定」（日本版フェアユース規定）の導入を求める「中間まとめ」を発表した。
Japan's Copyright Law stipulates cases in which copyrighted materials may be used without the permission of the rights holders, such as the copying of materials by an individual for private use or citing them for reporting or research purposes.
著作権法は、許諾を得ずに著作物を利用できる事例として、個人が私的目的で行う複製や、報道・研究目的での引用などを具体的に列挙している。
===
For the greater good?
Under U.S. law, however, copyrighted materials can be used freely as long as it is considered fair use. This system is based on the idea that it will be of greater benefit to society if the abridgment and other utilization of copyrighted materials are allowed as fair use.
これに対し米国では、「公正な利用」ならば、著作物を自由に利用することができる。いわゆるフェアユースの制度だ。著作物の要約などを公正な利用として許容することが、社会のより大きな利益になるとの考えが根底にある。
Whether a certain type of use is fair is decided by courts based on a comprehensive analysis of four factors, including the purpose of the utilization and its effect upon the potential market for the copyrighted work. There are more than 100 years of judicial precedents on fair use in the United States.
公正か否かは、裁判所が著作物の使用目的や市場への影響などから総合的に判断する。１００年以上に及ぶ判例の蓄積もある。
For instance, Google Inc. has begun digitizing publications based on the fair use doctrine without acquiring permission from their copyright holders. The Authors Guilds and the Association of American Publishers in the United States have filed a lawsuit against this digital database project.
例えばグーグル社は、フェアユースを根拠に、無断で書籍のデジタル複製を進めた。全米作家組合などが裁判に訴え、一時は日本の著作者への影響も懸念された。
There were fears initially that the project might infringe on the rights of Japanese authors and publishers, but Google later excluded Japan publications from its database.
The fair use system is disadvantageous to copyright holders.
権利者には不利な制度である。
The development of Internet technology is quickly changing how copyrighted materials are utilized. Some experts have said the introduction of U.S.-type general provisions would facilitate the use of copyrighted materials more than revising relevant provisions as needed would.
ネット技術の発展により、著作物の利用形態は急速に変化している。必要に応じて個別規定を改正するよりも、米国型の一般規定を設けた方が、著作物の利用が円滑に進むとの意見もある。
===
Abstract language risky
In the latest interim report, the subcommittee rejected the introduction of U.S.-style provisions on fair use. At the same time, it urged the introduction of general provisions to ease copyrights, so as to allow such practices as the inclusion of artwork in the background of portrait photos or the copying of musical works as needed to develop better technology for music reproduction.
今回の「中間まとめ」は、米国型フェアユース規定の導入は退けた。一方で、人物写真の背景に美術作品が写り込む場合や、音楽再生技術の開発の際に必要な複製などに限って認める「権利制限の一般規定」を設けることとした。
The subcommittee is apparently envisioning provisions stated in abstract terms, such as allowing "incidental" use of copyrighted works, and probably aims to first introduce general provisions in fields where it is possible. 例えば、著作物の「付随的」利用を認めるといった、抽象的表現の規定を想定しているようだ。可能な分野から一般規定を導入するということなのだろう。
However, provisions that can be interpreted in various ways risk leading to infringement of intellectual property rights.
しかし、様々に解釈されかねない規定は、知的財産権の侵害につながる恐れがある。
We believe that the use of copyrighted materials without acquiring the permission of the copyright holders should be limited in principle only to highly public fields such as education or journalism. It is reasonable to first acquire permission from copyright holders if something is to be used for business purposes.
やはり、著作物の利用は学校教育や報道など公共性の高い分野に原則として限られるべきだ。ビジネスのための利用なら、まず権利者の了解を得るのが筋だろう。
If the contents of the Copyright Law do not correspond to reality, each provision should be revised as necessary. Laws can be revised quickly these days.
著作権法の内容が現実に合わなければ、必要に応じ個別規定を改めればよい。近年は、法改正も迅速に行われるようになった。
Among European countries, Germany and France have not introduced general provisions on limitations of copyrights.
欧州の独仏なども「権利制限の一般規定」は導入していない。
Intellectual property rights are a boon for the creative activities of human beings. Legal revisions that could facilitate infringement of that will lead to serious problems in the future.
知的財産は人間の創造活動の賜物(たまもの)でもある。その侵害を助長するような法改正は、将来に大きな禍根を残しかねない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 6, 2010)
（2010年7月6日01時43分 読売新聞）
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■近況
２００９年の９月１５日に脳梗塞を発症、右手が少し不自由になりました。
MRAで脳梗塞の部位を特定でき、素早い処置をとれたので大事に至りませんでした。
快復にむけてリハビリ中です。
(2011/01/01更新)
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一日僅か１５分の学習でも数年間継続すれば相当な学習効果が期待できます。
[ 名前 ]
松井 清 （スラチャイ）
[ 略歴 ]
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スラチャイ編曲のJ.S.Bachです
スラチャイの多国言語学習
初歩のタイ語
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基礎タイ語一覧（タイ文字、ローマ字）
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧：
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
基礎タイ語一覧(タイ文字、音声付き）
サイト外HPリンク一覧：
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他
seesaa100 英字新聞s HPs ２
タイの文化一覧:
01 雨の日にも傘をささないタイ人
02 勉強熱心なタイ人女性たち
03 タイ人は敬謙な仏教徒
04 タイの市場
05 タイの食堂
06 タイ人は外食が大好き
07 果物王国タイランド
08 タイ人の誕生日
09 タイの電話代は高い
10 微笑みの国タイランド
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第０１番目の戒律
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第１４番目の戒律
1４の戒律（テラワーダ仏教戒律）
サイト外HPリンク一覧：
１４の戒律解説
第０１番目の戒律
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第０４番目の戒律
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第０６番目の戒律
第０７番目の戒律
第０８番目の戒律
第０９番目の戒律
第１０番目の戒律
第１１番目の戒律
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