英字新聞
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The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 8, 2011)
U.S. must rebuild finances to stem global market unrest
米国債格下げ　市場の動揺防ぐ財政再建策を（8月7日付・読売社説）

The credit rating of U.S. government bonds, once among the world's highest, has been downgraded for the first time in history.
　世界で最上級だった米国債の格付けが、史上初めて引き下げられた。

In the aftermath of the downgrade, stock prices may plunge around the world from Monday, and the depreciation of the dollar could accelerate.
　“格下げショック”を受け、週明け以降、世界同時株安や、ドル安に拍車がかかりかねない。

To stem the unrest in global financial markets, it is imperative for the United States to chart out a package of measures to steadily rebuild government finances.
市場の動揺を食い止めるには、米国の着実な財政再建策が不可欠である。

U.S. credit rating agency Standard & Poor's on Friday lowered the long-term U.S. credit rating by one level from the top-tier AAA rating to AA-plus.
　米格付け会社のスタンダード・アンド・プアーズ（Ｓ＆Ｐ）は５日、米国の長期国債格付けを最上級の「ＡＡＡ（トリプルＡ）」から、「ＡＡ（ダブルＡ）プラス」に１段階引き下げた。

As a reason for the downgrade, S&P said the accord reached between Congress and the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama "falls short of what, in our view, would be necessary to stabilize the government's medium-term debt dynamics."
　Ｓ＆Ｐは国債格下げの理由として、「中期的な財政安定化が不十分」と指摘している。

Obama and the Democratic and Republican parties recently agreed on an increase in the government's statutory borrowing limit and a set of fiscal consolidation measures.
In the wake of that agreement, the Budget Control Act of 2011 was enacted Tuesday, centering on a goal of reducing the federal deficit by 2.4 trillion dollars over 10 years.
　オバマ大統領と与野党は、政府の借金枠である債務上限の引き上げと財政再建で合意し、１０年間で２・４兆ドルの赤字削減を柱にした予算管理法が２日に成立した。

===

Deficit cut not sufficient

However, there is still a gulf in views about specific steps to reduce government debt, and the deficit cut agreed upon on Tuesday is substantially smaller than Obama's initial plan to reduce government debt by 3 trillion dollars to 4 trillion dollars.
　しかし、具体的な赤字削減策を巡る主張の隔たりは大きく、削減幅も大統領の当初案だった３兆～４兆ドルに比べて小さい。

S&P is believed to have decided on the downgrade in light of these circumstances.
Ｓ＆Ｐはこうした状況を評価し、格下げを決めたと言えよう。

The U.S. government has criticized S&P's reduction in the credit rating, but what is seriously being questioned now is the effectiveness of the Budget Control Act.
　米国政府は格下げに反論したが、予算管理法の実効性が厳しく問われている。

The president and the political parties should accelerate their discussions on a range of issues, including spending cuts and tax increases, to hammer out reliable measures that will gain markets' confidence.
　大統領と与野党は歳出カットと増税を含めた協議を加速し、市場の信認を得られるような財政再建の方策を打ち出すべきだ。

Meanwhile, we cannot help but feel anxious over the adverse impact the downgrade of the U.S. credit rating could have on the world's financial markets.
　一方、今回の格下げが、世界の金融市場に与える悪影響を懸念せざるを得ない。

Reflecting the slowdown in the U.S. and European economies, the Dow Jones industrial average plummeted more than 500 points Thursday, and the index fluctuated erratically the following day.
　米欧経済の減速をきっかけに、ニューヨーク株式市場の平均株価は４日、５００ドル超も急落し、５日も乱高下した。
Stock prices declined across the board in European, Japanese and other Asian markets.
欧州や日本などアジア市場でも、軒並み、株価が全面安となった。

On the foreign exchange front, the hyper-appreciation of the yen slowed somewhat because of the yen-selling intervention by the government and the Bank of Japan. However, pressure has resurged to weaken the dollar against the Japanese currency.
　外国為替市場では、政府・日銀の円売り介入で超円高にいったんブレーキがかかったが、再び、ドル安圧力が強まっている。

If the trustworthiness of the dollar erodes further following the cut in the U.S. credit rating, the credit markets of the world would unavoidably be thrown into confusion.
　国債格下げでドルに対する信認がさらに揺らぐと、債券市場を含めた混乱は避けられまい。

===

Fed moves crucial

Japan is the world's second-largest holder, next to China, of U.S. government bonds.
　日本は中国に次ぐ世界２位の米国債の保有国だ。

Due attention should be paid to what repercussions there would be from declines in U.S. government bond prices.
国債下落の影響にも注意する必要がある。

Attention is being focused at present on whether the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, in a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, will opt for additional quantitative monetary easing to stimulate the economy.
　当面の焦点は、米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が９日開く会合で、景気てこ入れのため、追加緩和策に踏み切るかどうかだ。

Given that the U.S. government, shackled by huge fiscal deficits, has found it hard to adopt any measures to stimulate business activity, expectations have been rising for the Fed to adopt fresh monetary easing.
　財政赤字を抱えた政府は景気刺激策に動きにくく、ＦＲＢに期待する声は強い。

Additional monetary easing by the U.S. central bank could lead to further acceleration of the yen's appreciation and the dollar's depreciation, something very damaging to this country.
ただ、追加緩和策は円高ドル安を誘導し、日本には厳しい展開も予想される。

The world economy has been expanding since the global financial crisis was brought to an end thanks to unity among major economies.
　世界経済は、主要国の結束で金融危機を克服した後、景気拡大を続けてきた。

A new round of coordinated efforts among major economies is needed to prevent another financial crisis.
危機の再燃を防ぐ連携が改めて求められよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 7, 2011)
（2011年8月7日01時17分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 7, 2011)
Govt must ensure progress on N-disaster compensation
原発賠償指針　被害救済を着実に前進させよ（8月6日付・読売社説）

The government has worked out a set of interim guidelines stipulating the range of compensation for damage caused by Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
　東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故被害に対する賠償の範囲や対象を定めた「中間指針」がまとまった。

This is a step toward full-fledged compensation for the nuclear crisis.
　本格的な賠償に向けて前進したことになる。

The nuclear accident has caused thousands of people to evacuate or close their businesses, so the economic cost of the disaster will be colossal.
原発事故で大勢の人が避難や休業を余儀なくされ、経済的な被害は甚大だ。

The government and TEPCO must steadily implement the relief measures called for by the guidelines.
政府と東電は、被害救済を着実に実現していかなければならない。

The government's Dispute Reconciliation Committee for Nuclear Damage Compensation compiled a second set of guidelines in late May.
　政府の原子力損害賠償紛争審査会は、５月末の２次指針で、

These guidelines suggested requiring TEPCO to pay compensation for, among other things, evacuation costs, the mental trauma suffered by affected people and damage to farmers caused by radiation scares.
The latest interim guidelines have expanded the scope of compensation to include damage caused to tourism companies by cancellations by foreign travelers, and losses resulting from foreign countries' restrictions on Japanese imports. （この部分の英訳、日本語と細かな部分で異なる）
避難費用や精神的な苦痛、農産品の風評被害などへの賠償を認める方針を示していた。
中間指針では、対象の範囲をさらに広げた。
　例えば、外国人観光客のキャンセルによる観光業者の損害や、海外の輸入規制に起因する損害などを追加した。

===

New guidelines reasonable

The interim guidelines call for compensation payments to cattle farmers in 17 prefectures for financial losses caused by halted beef shipments and consumer fears that were stirred up when beef from cattle fed rice straw contaminated with radioactive cesium was shipped.
　放射性セシウムによる牛肉汚染では、出荷停止に伴う損害や、汚染されたエサ用の稲わらが流通した１７道県の風評被害も認めた。

We think providing compensation for a broad range of nuclear crisis-linked damage is fair.
　幅広い被害に対する賠償を認定したのは妥当といえる。

The range of people entitled to receive compensation has been substantially expanded compared with provisional payments made so far.
　カバーする範囲が広い分、これまでの仮払いより、

The compensation costs will skyrocket, and getting the cash into people's pockets will require more manpower.
手間も費用もけた違いとなりそうだ。

In addition, the guidelines could be reviewed at some point and the range of redress coverage expanded again.
中間指針の見直しで、賠償対象がさらに拡大する可能性もある。

TEPCO estimates compensation claims, including those in connection with nuclear scares, will number 400,000 to 500,000.
　東電は、風評被害も含めた賠償請求は４０万～５０万件にのぼると見込んでいる。

The utility's department in charge of compensation payments will be increased to more than 5,000 personnel from 1,000 now, and will start handling claims in September.
賠償の担当部門を現在の１０００人体制から５０００人以上に増やし、９月から被害者の請求に対応するという。

TEPCO will determine payout amounts by examining whether individual claims meet criteria spelled out in the guidelines.
　東電は、賠償を求められた被害が、中間指針の対象にあたるかどうかを点検し、支払額などを決める。

There likely will be times when the utility has to make tough decisions about whether some people are eligible to receive compensation, and how much they should get.
具体的な線引きや算定で、難しい判断を迫られるだろう。

===

Establish support body quickly

Many people are hoping to receive financial relief as quickly as possible.
　一刻も早い救済を願う被害者は多い。

Negotiations between TEPCO and disaster victims could become very emotional.
感情的なやりとりになるケースもあるだろう。

Above all else, the compensation procedure must proceed without a hitch.
肝心なのは混乱なく賠償手続きを進めることだ。

For this purpose, the compensation system should be strengthened as the need arises.
必要に応じて体制強化を図ってもらいたい。

Disaster sufferers dissatisfied with TEPCO-proposed payments can seek arbitration through the dispute reconciliation committee.
　東電が提示した賠償額に納得できない被害者は、紛争審査会に和解の仲介を求めることができる。

Indications are that many of these cases may not reach an agreeable solution, so they will end up in the courts.
それでも折り合わず、最終的に裁判など司法の場での決着をめざす案件も相当数にのぼりそうだ。

We hope the courts and other parties in the judiciary will prepare to quickly and efficiently settle compensation-related disputes.
　裁判所をはじめ法曹界も、紛争処理を円滑に進めるための準備を怠らないでほしい。

TEPCO is short of cash as the costs of stabilizing the crippled reactors and buying fuel for thermal power generation rise.
　東電は事故収束や火力発電などの増加で出費がかさみ、資金繰りが厳しい。

It is imperative that the government financially supports TEPCO to keep the compensation process on track.
賠償を軌道に乗せるには、政府の援助が欠かせない。

A law creating a new government-backed organization tasked with securing funds to help TEPCO pay compensation has recently been enacted.
　すでに東電の損害賠償を公的に支援する「原子力損害賠償支援機構法」などが成立した。

The government must quickly craft a compensation payment support framework by setting up the envisioned organization and securing the money needed to keep it functioning.
　政府は、遅滞なく機構設立や予算の確保を進め、賠償支援の体制固めを急ぐべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 6, 2011)
（2011年8月6日01時16分 読売新聞）

(Mainichi Japan) August 6, 2011
Lessons learned from A-bombing should be applied to welfare of Fukushima residents
社説：原爆の日　経験を原発にも生かせ

Aug. 6 marks the 66th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945.
　原爆が投下されて６日で６６年。

We commemorate the anniversary under different circumstances than usual this summer -- amid the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant crippled by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
今年の夏は、いつもと様相が異なっている。３月１１日に発生した東日本大震災は東京電力福島第１原発事故を引き起こした。

Scenes of many areas in the Tohoku region devastated by the triple disaster have reminded many hibakusha, or survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, of their own cities when they were reduced to ashes by the blasts and intense heat.
地震と津波で壊滅した東北の町並みと、放射性物質による汚染によって住民が避難を余儀なくされた福島を、爆風と熱線によって廃虚と化した故郷と重ね合わせた広島と長崎の被爆者は少なくない。

On top of this, we are now facing the hazards involved in the use of nuclear energy, and the peace declarations that Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui read during the Aug. 6 anniversary ceremony and Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue will read on Aug. 9 mention the Fukushima nuclear crisis.
私たちは原子力の利用がはらむ危うさと今、向き合っている。
　今年の平和記念式典で読み上げられる「平和宣言」は原発事故を反映したものになる。

The Hiroshima Municipal Government is urging the national government to review its overall energy policy at an early date.
　広島市は初めてエネルギー政策の早急な見直しと具体策を政府に求める。

In his peace declaration Matsui quoted the late Ichiro Moritaki, former chairman of the Japan Congress against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs stated, who said, "Nuclear energy and humankind cannot coexist."
引用するのは、核の軍事、平和利用双方に反対を唱えた被爆者で、原水爆禁止日本国民会議（原水禁）議長などを務めた故森滝市郎氏の「核と人類は共存できない」との言葉だ。

The Nagasaki Municipal Government will not mention "elimination of nuclear power plants" but clearly call for a decrease in Japan's reliance on nuclear power stations in the future.
長崎市は、「脱原発」の言葉こそ使わないが、原発からの将来的な脱却を明確に打ち出す。

The Fukushima nuclear crisis has also had some influence on the policies of hibakusha organizations and anti-nuclear groups.
　被爆者・反核団体にも変化が見える。

The Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations has decided to incorporate calls for the gradual shutdown and dismantling of nuclear reactors in its platform -- a first in its 55-year history.
被爆者の全国組織「日本原水爆被害者団体協議会」は１９５６年の結成以来初めて全原発の順次停止・廃炉を求める「脱原発」を運動方針に掲げることを決めた。

With A-bombing survivors' suffering from the after-effects of radiation exposure fully in mind, the confederation has also submitted a petition to the central government urging that residents of areas near the Fukushima nuclear plant as well as workers undergo regular health checks.
　放射線被害に苦しんできた経験を踏まえ、原発の周辺住民や作業員に「健康管理手帳」を交付し、定期的な健康診断を実施するよう求める要望書を政府などに提出した。

The Japan Congress against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs recently held an international convention in Fukushima for the first time and appealed for the elimination of nuclear power stations.
　原水禁も、原発事故を受けて初めて福島で世界大会を開催し、「脱原発」を訴えた。

However, there are differences between hibakusha and anti-nuclear organizations over the pros and cons of calling for the elimination of nuclear power plants.
　運動は一枚岩ではない。

There are some organizations and activists who argue that the peace movement and nuclear power plants are separate issues.
「平和運動と日本のエネルギー政策にからむ原発の是非は分けて考えるべきだ」という主張があるのも事実だ。

True, there are big differences between destructive atomic bombs, which release huge amounts of radiation in a moment, and nuclear plant accidents, in which radioactive substances that emit low levels of radiation spread and affect extensive areas.
　すさまじい破壊力で一瞬にして大量の放射線を放出した原爆と、低線量の放射性物質の影響が広範囲で続く原発事故の違いは大きい。

Still, they are the same in that people are worried about radiation exposure over the long term.
だが、人々が放射線被ばくによる不安に長年苦しめられる点は共通する。

The lack of knowledge about the effects of being exposed to low doses of radiation has caused widespread fears among residents around the Fukushima plant.
　原発事故の場合、低線量被ばくの影響に未解明の部分があることが不安を大きくしている。

While keeping in mind the differences between atomic bombing and nuclear plant accidents, specialized knowledge collected by Radiation Effects Research Foundation -- which has conducted research on the effects of radiation on hibakusha -- as well as lessons learned from the Chernobyl nuclear crisis should be fully utilized for the health management of residents near the Fukushima plant.
原爆との違いも考慮したうえで、広島と長崎の被爆者を対象に放射線の影響を調査している放射線影響研究所など、専門研究機関が蓄積してきた専門知識やチェルノブイリ事故の経験を住民の健康管理に積極的に活用したい。

For many years, nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants have been regarded as completely separate matters. 　核兵器と原発はこれまで切り離して考えられてきた。

Furthermore, the safety myth of atomic energy had taken root in society in recent years.
近年は原子力に対する「安全神話」も浸透していた。

However, the Fukushima nuclear crisis has reminded the public of the risks involved with nuclear power stations. しかし、福島の事故は原発の危険性に改めて目を向けさせた。

It is our mission to step up efforts to dispatch messages to the world calling for nuclear disarmament while fully utilizing our experiences as the only atomic-bombed country to ensure the safety of nuclear power stations.
唯一の被爆国としての経験を原発対策にも生かしながら、従来にも増して核廃絶のメッセージを発信し続けるのが私たちの責務である。

毎日新聞　2011年8月6日　2時32分

(Mainichi Japan) August 4, 2011
Japan should free up electricity distribution network in reforms to power system
社説：電力体制改革　送電網開放で分散型へ

In Japan there were hardly any power cuts.
　停電はめったにない。

The power voltage and frequency was stable, and people could use as much electricity as they wanted.
電圧や周波数も安定している。そして、使いたいだけ供給してくれる。

Then the Great East Japan Earthquake and ensuing nuclear crisis hit the nation.
しかし、東日本大震災によって状況は一変した。

In the wake of the disaster, nuclear power plants were brought to a stop one after another, and despite the full mobilization of thermal power stations, requests to conserve power arose not only in eastern Japan, which suffered the brunt of the disaster, but also in western Japan.
安定的に電力を供給してきた原子力発電所が相次いで止まり、火力発電所を総動員しているものの、節電要請は被災した東日本だけでなく西日本へも広がっている。

To flexibly respond to this situation, and to reduce dependence on nuclear power plants and boost the supply of renewable energy such as solar and wind power, revision of Japan's power system is now needed.
　原発への依存度を下げ、太陽光や風力などの再生可能エネルギーによる電力を増やしていくうえからも、それに柔軟に対応できるよう、電力体制の見直しが必要だ。

　◇発送電分離が浮上

In the wake of the disaster, it has been suggested that the tasks of generating and distributing power in Japan -- now handled entirely by the nation's power companies -- should be split up.
　その中で電力会社の発電と送電部門を分割する発送電分離論も浮上している。

The crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant has exposed various problems faced by the power companies, which hold monopolies over various regions.
地域独占の電力会社が抱えるさまざまな問題が、原発事故を機に露呈している。

The argument that drastic reform can only come about by splitting up power generation and distribution is understandable.
それを抜本的に改めるには、分離が必要だという主張は理解できる。

However, implementation of such changes is no easy task.
　ただし、その実現にはかなり高いハードルがある。

It will not do any good to strap the nation to a lofty goal only to run aground.
大きな目標を掲げたものの、それにしばられ暗礁に乗り上げてしまったということになっても困る。

A realistic approach is needed.
より現実的な道も探る必要があるのではないか。

The reason the current power system has been maintained is that liberalization of the power market that began in the 1990s has not taken full force.
　現在の電力体制が維持されたのは、９０年代に始まった電力市場の自由化が中途半端な形で終わった結果だ。

It is a different story with liberalization of the communications market, where new entries have progressed a great deal while NTT remains united under a holding company.
一方、通信市場の自由化では、ＮＴＴは持ち株会社の下で一体のまま、新規参入が大きく進んだ。

Surely a sensible idea would be to examine why liberalization of the power market has not progressed in the same way as liberalization in the communications market, and revise Japan's power system.
　通信と違い電力の自由化が実質的に進展しなかった理由を検証し、電力体制の見直しを行うというのも、有力な選択肢ではないだろうか。

Of course, before any such reform takes place, the issue of ownership and operation of nuclear power plants must be settled.
　もちろん、原発の所有と運営の問題を解決することが前提となる。

Clearly a power company cannot handle the risks of a nuclear accident by itself.
原発事故のリスクを、電力会社が単独で背負うことができないのは明らかだ。

It has been suggested that power plants be made separate and the government take control of them in the form of a public corporation, for example.
原発を分離して公社などの形で国が責任を持つという案もある。

This issue must quickly be resolved.
この問題について、早急に結論を出す必要がある。

Liberalization of the power market has led to the formation of a power producer and supplier system under which newly generated power -- such as the surplus from home solar systems -- can be sold through a power company's distribution network. (この部分英訳抜け多し＾＾）
　電力会社が原発にますます傾斜するようになった背景には、電力、ガス、石油といったエネルギー産業間での競争がある。この競争に勝ち抜くため、原子力は低コストで電力を供給できるとＰＲしてきた。
　その一方で、電力自由化により、自ら発電した電力を電力会社の送電網を使って小売りする特定規模電気事業者（ＰＰＳ）などの制度が設けられた。

But due to various limitations, the share held by power providers under this system remains low.
しかし、さまざまな制約からシェアは低いままにとどまっている。

Furthermore, power companies have been reluctant to introduce solar and wind power generation on the grounds that it is costly to produce and could result in a lower quality of electricity.
また、太陽光や風力による発電もコストが高いうえ電力の質を落としかねないとして、電力会社は導入に腰が引けていた。

The way power is used depends on the economic entity involved, be it a household or a company.
　電力を使うパターンは家庭や企業など経済主体によって多様だ。

Entities that generate their own power can sell power they do not use.
自家発電設備を持っている場合、自らが使用しない時間帯は自家発電による電力を売ることができ、

If it became easy to find users who would purchase this power, then it would be possible to limit the number of power facilities in society as a whole.
それを購入するユーザーを見つけることが容易になれば、社会全体の電力設備を抑制できるだろう。

It was hoped that liberalization of the power market would greatly facilitate this, but that hasn't been the case.
電力自由化に期待されていたことだったが、それも不十分な結果になっている。

Investment in power generation facilities could be further curbed by switching consumption to off-peak periods to level out demand.
　ピーク時を避けて電力を使うようにして需要を平準化すれば、発電設備への投資をさらに抑えられる。

Overcoming the frequency barrier that exists between power companies in eastern and western Japan could also boost electricity exchanges between the companies that produce it.
また、東日本と西日本の周波数の壁を越え多くの電力を送受できるようにすることも含め、電力会社間での電力融通の強化もポイントだ。

If it became possible to find suppliers and users who can meet each other's needs over a wider area and more newcomers entered the market, then we could expect lower electricity prices through competition.
　互いのニーズに見合った新たな電力の供給者と需要者を、より広範な地域から見つけることができるようになり、電力市場への参加者が増えれば、競争促進による電気料金の抑制効果も期待できる。

　◇ＮＴＴ方式を参考に

If the introduction of a fixed-price purchasing system for electric power generated with renewable energy -- which has not been viewed as unstable and difficult to introduce on a large scale -- could be viewed as one wheel of a vehicle, then greater electricity exchanges between power companies is another.
　不安定電源として導入に限界があるとされてきた再生可能エネルギーによる電力も、普及を促す固定買い取り制度の導入を一方の車輪とするなら、もう一方は電力会社間の電力融通の拡大だ。

It is important that both wheels be set in motion.
その両輪が活用拡大に欠かせない。

Japan should proceed with revisions to its power system while considering a model of local production for local consumption.
地産地消のような分散型の電力の供給と消費という視点も踏まえ、電力体制の見直しを進めるべきではないだろうか。

It cannot be denied that the separation of the generation and delivery of power is an important point of discussion.
　発送電分離も重要な論点で否定するわけではない。

But it would mean that power suppliers, which are private companies, be asked to donate their assets, creating the problem of how to compensate the power companies.
ただ、民間企業の電力会社に財産の提供を求めることになり、その対価をどう負担するのかという問題が生ずる。

Furthermore, it is possible that responsibility now imposed on power companies to supply power, which has contributed to securing a stable source, could become vague if the generation and distribution of power were separated.
　また、現在、電力会社に課され安定供給の基盤となっている供給義務も、発送電分離となった場合、責任があいまいになる恐れがある。

In handling revisions to the power system, a useful reference can be found in NTT's opening of its phone network. 　電力体制の見直しにあたって参考となるのが、ＮＴＴの電話網の開放だろう。

Other phone carriers can use NTT's network under the same conditions as NTT, and when they do, strict rules are laid out.
ＮＴＴの電話網は、他の通信事業者もＮＴＴと同等の条件で利用でき、その際のルールが厳密に定められている。

Checks are performed to see whether these rules are being kept, and there is an arbitration system to solve problems.
それが守られているのかをチェックし、裁定でトラブルに決着をつける仕組みもある。

While there was no splitting up of phone networks in the liberalization of the phone market, the opening of the NTT's network enabled users to freely choose which carrier they used.
　通信市場の自由化は電話網の分離はなかったものの、ＮＴＴの電話網開放によって、利用者は通信事業者を自由に選べるようになった。

Perhaps such a model could be taken into account when opening up Japan's electricity distribution network.
これを参考に送電網の開放を進めてみてはどうだろうか。

To boost market functionality that connects providers and buyers, diversification of services provided by the Japan Electric Power Exchange is needed.
　売買をつなぐ機能を強化するには、電力取引所のメニューの多様化も必要だ。

But rather than implementing such measures, if these measures encourage new power businesses to enter the market, then it should become possible to secure a diverse supply of electricity, including renewable energy, and enhance the efficiency of power generation facilities.
こうした措置により電力事業への新規参入を促せば、再生可能エネルギーの活用も含め多様な電源を確保し、発電設備を効率的に運用できるようになるだろう。

We call for the points of discussion that formerly emerged in the liberalization of the power market to be revisited in light of the nuclear crisis to bring about revisions to Japan's power system.
　かつての電力自由化の際の論点を、原発事故を踏まえて再整理し、電力体制の見直しにつなげていくよう提案したい。

毎日新聞　2011年8月4日　東京朝刊

(Mainichi Japan) August 3, 2011
Nuclear energy can be replaced with renewable energy
社説：再生可能エネルギー　原発代替は十分可能だ

The elimination of nuclear power plants cannot be achieved over a short period of time.
　原発依存からの脱却は短時日ではできない。

Therefore, we basically support the government's intention to consider the matter from short-, medium- and long-term perspectives.
政府は「短期」「中期」「長期」に分けて考えるという。基本的に賛成だ。

It is necessary to set a clear timeline if the government is to draw a realistic roadmap toward the goal.
現実的なロードマップを描くには時間軸の設定が不可欠である。

In the short run, there is no choice but to switch to thermal power generation using natural gas.
　短期的には天然ガスによるガス火力発電にシフトするほかない。

The government should promptly initiate its work to do so because it normally takes about a decade to complete a thermal power station, considering the time required to select and procure a site for the facility.
火力発電所の建設には用地選定まで含めれば通常１０年ぐらいかかる。直ちに着手すべきだ。

Circumstances surrounding natural gas have drastically changed.
　天然ガスをめぐる状況は一変している。

The amount of natural gas produced has sharply increased since the technology of extracting gas from shale was established in the United States.
米国で頁岩（けつがん）中のシェールガスを採取する方法が確立し生産量が急拡大した。

Shale gas fields are being developed in China and many other countries in the world.
中国を含め世界中で開発が進んでおり、

The International Energy Agency estimates that the amount of gas consumed on a global scale will increase by 50 percent by 2030.
国際エネルギー機関（ＩＥＡ）は２０３０年までに、世界のガス消費量は５０％増加するという。

The natural gas age has arrived.
「天然ガスの時代」だ。

　◇当面はガス火力で

Germany, which has decided to pursue a society without nuclear power, intends to make up for a shortage of electric power with that generated by thermal power stations.
　脱原発に踏み切ったドイツもガス火力で穴埋めする。

However, the price of natural gas will certainly rise because its demand is expected to sharply expand.
しかし、需要の拡大で価格の上昇は必至だ。

Measures should be taken on a global scale to not only guarantee contracts to purchase gas but also to expand interest in gas field exploitation.
ガスの購入契約の保全だけでなく、ガス田採掘の権益拡大に努めるべきだ。国家的支援を強化する必要がある。

Of thermal power plants using fossil fuels, those powered by coal emit the largest amount of carbon dioxide, a type of greenhouse gas.
　石炭火力発電は化石燃料の中で二酸化炭素の排出量が最も多いが、

However, coal can be stably procured from all over the world, and its price is relatively low.
コストが安く世界各地から安定的に調達できる。

Electric power generated by such plants accounts for approximately 25 percent of electricity consumed in Japan.
我が国の電力の約２５％を占める。

To ensure a stable supply of electricity, Japan will need to maintain its coal-powered thermal electric power plants.
電力の安定供給のため、石炭火力も維持していく必要があるだろう。

Germany relies on coal-powered electric power plants for 41 percent of electricity consumed domestically, far above the ratio in Japan.
ドイツは４１％が石炭火力。日本よりずっとその比率が高い。

In short, there is no choice but to make up for a shortage of electric power as a result of decreasing nuclear power plants with power generated by thermal power stations until the ratio of power generated by renewable energy sources rises significantly.
　再生可能エネルギーによる発電量が増加するまで、火力発電で原発の穴を埋めていくほかないということである。

However, there are problems involving such efforts including a rise in the costs of generating electric power and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
ただ、これにはふたつ問題がある。コスト上昇と温室効果ガスの排出量の増加だ。

According to an estimate made by the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, if all domestic nuclear power plants are shut down, the cost of Japan's imports of fuel will increase by 3.473 trillion yen next fiscal year, increasing the monthly average electricity charge by 1,049 yen per household and by 36 percent for businesses.
　日本エネルギー経済研究所の試算では来年度、全原発が停止すると、燃料輸入費は年間３兆４７３０億円増加し１世帯当たりの月額電気使用料は１０４９円、産業用電気料金は３６％上昇する、という。

Business leaders have expressed grave concern that if a shortage of electric power becomes chronic and electric power rate rises as a result, it will force businesses to shift their factories abroad, speeding up the hollowing out of Japan's industry.
　産業界は電力不足が恒常化し電気料金が上昇すれば、海外への生産拠点の移転が増え産業の空洞化が進むという。

Some view the shortage of electric power as a unique opportunity to transform Japan's economy, which consumes a massive amount of electric power, into one that relies less on energy.
電力多消費型経済から２１世紀型省エネ経済に転換する好機という見方も可能だが、

However, adverse changes in the economy, such as a sharp rise in the unemployment rate, must be avoided by all means.
失業の急増など経済の激変は避けたい。

The hollowing out of domestic industry is very complex and it cannot be attributed solely to a rise in energy expenses.
　そもそも、空洞化問題はエネルギーコストだけでなく

Behind the problem are also various factors such as the sharp appreciation of the yen, inadequate infrastructure for manufacturing, a shortage of human resources that have received advanced education, high corporate tax rates and a lack of leadership ability on the part of the government, which cannot decide whether Japan should participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.
円高の進行や生産インフラの不備、高度教育を受けた人材の不足、さらに高い法人税、環太平洋パートナーシップ協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加を決められない政府の指導力不足など、複雑な要因がからんでいる。

The government needs to clarify its stance toward supporting businesses and implement specific measures to that end.
政府はビジネス支援の旗幟（きし）を鮮明にし、きめ細かく手を尽くさなければならない。

If Japan's reliance on nuclear power plants declines, it will be difficult for the government to achieve its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent from 1990s levels.
　原発依存度が低下すれば、温室効果ガスを９０年比２５％削減するという政府目標の達成は難しい。

Therefore, it should review its goal.
目標を見直すべきだ。

After the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse gas emission expires, a new system should be created under which Japan's exports of devices that help reduce greenhouse emissions to developing countries can be recognized as reductions in Japan's greenhouse gas emissions.
「ポスト京都」では途上国に温室効果ガスを低減する機器を輸出すれば、それが日本の温室効果ガス削減にカウントされるような新たなメカニズムが必要不可欠だ。

It should not use taxpayers' money to buy surplus emission credits from other countries in a desperate bid to achieve its numerical target.
外国から税金で余剰排出枠を買い、つじつま合わせする京都方式の単純延長だけは避けなければならない。

In the medium- and long term, Japan should develop and use more renewable energy.
　「中・長期」では再生可能エネルギーの開発・普及である。

Germany's policy of seeking to eliminate nuclear power stations is coupled with its strategy of seeking to be a leader in the field of renewable energy.
ドイツの脱原発政策は再生可能エネルギー分野の覇者を目指す戦略とセットだ。

The level of Japan's environmental protection technology is equal to that of Germany's.
日本の環境技術はドイツにひけをとらない。

Japan has the potential to become a leader in an environment-friendly energy revolution.
日本こそ「環境エネルギー革命」の勝者になる潜在力がある。

The Environment Ministry estimates by 2030, approximately 330 billion kilowatts per hour can be generated in Japan solely with renewable energy if its land is fully utilized.
　環境省の試算では、国土をめいっぱい利用すれば２０３０年、再生可能エネルギーによる発電が年間約３３００億キロワット時も可能だという。

The figure is about 30 percent of electric power currently generated throughout Japan and equal to the amount of power currently generated by all nuclear power plants across the country.
現在の全発電量の約３割、原発の従来の発電シェアに相当する。

Theoretically, all atomic energy used for power generation in Japan can be changed to renewable energy.
理論的には再生可能エネルギーで原発の代替が十分可能なわけだ。

It is not easy to achieve this but the government should try by setting this as a target.
達成は容易でないが努力目標にしたい。

Among various electric power generation methods using renewable energy sources, Japan has placed priority on solar power generation.
　その中で日本では太陽光発電が先行してきた。

At one point, Japan was the No. 1 country in the world in terms of the amount of power generated by solar panels.
かつては世界一の発電量だったこともある。

Various experiments are being conducted, such as storing electric power generated by solar panels in batteries for electric vehicles.
太陽光パネルで発電し電気自動車の蓄電池に蓄えるなど、さまざまな試みがなされている。

The problem involving solar power generation is its high costs.
発電コストの高さが難点だが

However, as the method becomes widespread, the costs will certainly decrease.
普及とともに低下するだろう。

　◇何よりも省エネを

Wind power generation is the most widespread in the world because its costs are relatively low.
　風力発電はコストが安く世界的には自然エネルギーの主力だが、

Japan is ranked only 12th in the world in the volume of power generated by wind power generators.
日本は世界１２位。

There are various challenges that must be overcome, such as their noise.
騒音など課題も多いが

However, there are many such generators in the Tohoku and other regions, and their potential is particularly high.
東北地方を筆頭に潜在力は最大だ。

Floating wind power generators are fitted for Japan, which is surrounded by little sea with shoals.
遠浅の海の少ない日本の場合、浮体式の洋上発電が有望だ。

Moreover, the government should promote the introduction of geothermal power generation, which could be stable sources of electric power, and small- and medium-scale hydraulic power generation for local consumption.
また、安定電源になりうる地熱発電、小河川の中小水力発電も地産地消型の電源として推進すべきだ。

One of the disadvantages of natural energy sources is that their ability to generate electric power depends on the amount of sunshine and wind and is therefore unstable.
　自然エネルギーは日照次第、風次第で不安定という欠点がある。

This is the main reason why electric power companies have been reluctant to connect such power generators to their power grids.
電力会社が電力網への受け入れを渋ってきた理由だ。

To overcome this problem, power suppliers should expand their power interchange capacity between themselves and install special batteries to stabilize electric power in their respective grids.
その対策として、各電力会社間の電力融通の容量を拡大するとともに、電力が不安定になるのを防ぐ電池の設置を急ぐべきだ。

In the long run, power suppliers' regional monopoly needs to be reviewed.
長期的には電力の地域独占の見直しなども検討する必要がある。

Above all, reductions in energy consumption are most important.
　そして、何より省エネが重要だ。

The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan estimates that by replacing all incandescent bulbs in Japan with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, electric power equal to that generated by four nuclear reactors can be saved.
日本エネルギー経済研究所の試算では、白熱灯をすべて発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）照明に交換するだけで原発４基分の節約になる。

This is why it is said that "saving energy is creating energy."
「省エネは創エネ」と言われるゆえんだ。

Future generations will feel the limited nature of energy more than us.
　われわれの次の世代は今以上に資源の有限性に突き当たる。

Japan must reform itself into a country that can efficiently function with smaller amounts of energy.
少ないエネルギーで効率的に動く日本にしなければならない。

The system to supply energy needs to be restructured into one based on local production for local consumption.
「分散型」「地産地消型」のエネルギー構造に組み替えるほかない。

Renewable energy is most suitable for such an energy-supply system.
それには再生可能エネルギーが最も適している。

Prompt action is called for to ensure energy safety and security for future generations.
次世代の安全・安心のため行動を急ごう。

毎日新聞　2011年8月3日　2時30分（最終更新　8月3日　9時27分）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 3, 2011)
U.S. default avoided, but dangers persist
米債務上限　薄氷の妥協でデフォルト回避（8月2日付・読売社説）

U.S. President Barack Obama reached an agreement with U.S. Republican and Democratic leaders to raise the debt ceiling of the U.S. government.
　オバマ米大統領は、米国政府の借金枠である債務上限を引き上げることで与野党と合意した。

The U.S. federal debt was projected to reach its current statutory limit of 14.3 trillion dollars (about 1.1 yen quadrillion), with the deadline coming on Tuesday.
　米国政府の債務は、法定上限の１４・３兆ドル（約１１００兆円）に達し、引き上げ期限が２日に迫っていた。

We welcome the news that the U.S. government managed to avoid the worst-case scenario of default on payments to investors in Treasury bonds.
　期限切れ寸前に、ようやく妥協が成立し、国債の償還資金がなくなる債務不履行（デフォルト）という最悪の事態を回避できたことを歓迎したい。

Should the U.S. government fall into default, the markets' faith in the dollar--the world's key currency--would plummet.
　デフォルトに陥れば、基軸通貨ドルの信認が急落し、

The prices of the U.S. Treasury bonds held by other major countries and financial institutions around the world would also plummet, throwing the financial markets into major turmoil.
主要国や世界の金融機関が保有する米国債の価格が暴落して、金融市場の混乱を招いただろう。

On the foreign currency markets, dollar-selling pressure has eased, apparently out of a sense of relief, putting a temporary brake on the sharp appreciation of the yen and the fall of the dollar.
　外国為替市場では、安堵(あんど)感からドル売り圧力が弱まり、急激な円高・ドル安にいったん歯止めがかかった。

Stock prices on the Japanese and other Asian markets turned upward across the board.
日本やアジアなどの株価も軒並み上昇に転じた。

Further stability in the financial markets is desirable.
金融市場の一層の安定が望まれる。

===

Budget-cutting to begin

According to Obama, the agreement would have the federal government cut its fiscal deficit by 2.4 trillion dollars over 10 years, while allowing the administration to raise the debt ceiling on a similar scale in two stages.
　大統領によると、合意内容は、１０年間で２・４兆ドルの財政赤字削減と、同規模の債務上限引き上げを２段階で実施する。

Initially, a spending cut of 900 billion dollars would be made, while the debt ceiling would be raised by the same amount immediately.
　まず、０・９兆ドルの歳出削減とセットで、債務上限を同額ただちに引き上げる。

Then, a suprapartisan committee to be set up within Congress will work out a plan to cut the fiscal deficit by another 1.5 trillion dollars within the year, while again raising the debt limit by a matching amount.
　さらに議会に設置する超党派委員会が年内に１・５兆ドルの財政赤字削減策をまとめ、債務上限を同じく引き上げるというものだ。

Both houses of Congress should quickly pass the bill, worked out on the basis of the accord, and Obama should sign it into law.
　上下両院は合意に基づいた法案を速やかに可決し、大統領の署名を経て成立させるべきだ。

The focal point from now on will be a deficit-cutting plan to be discussed by the new congressional committee.
　今後の焦点は、超党派委員会が協議する赤字削減策である。

The tea party wing of the Republican Party, which made a rapid advance in last year's midterm elections, opposes a tax increase.
　昨年の中間選挙で躍進した野党共和党保守系の「茶会党」は、増税に反対している。

The tea party movement remains far apart from the Democrats and Obama, who wants to realize fiscal reconstruction through a combination of spending cuts and tax hikes.
歳出カットと増税などを組み合わせた財政再建を目指したい大統領や、民主党の主張との隔たりは大きい。

We wonder whether the two sides will be able to agree on any effective deficit-cutting plan, with the political maneuvering over the presidential election for next autumn already a factor.
　来秋の大統領選への駆け引きが絡み、実効性のある赤字削減策で合意できるかどうか。

The pros and cons of tax increases will probably become a major point of contention.
増税の是非が争点になろう。

===

Risks remain real

If the negotiations face rough going, with Republicans and Democrats locked in a tug-of-war over the plan, and if the deficit-cutting measure ends up being insufficient, credit-rating agencies may still downgrade Treasury bonds, raising fears of adverse effects on the world's markets.
　与野党の攻防で協議が難航し、赤字削減が不十分に終わると、格付け会社が米国債の格下げに踏み切る可能性もある。世界の市場に及ぼす影響が懸念される。

The president must exercise leadership in getting the U.S. fiscal house in order.
　財政健全化へ、大統領は指導力を発揮しなければならない。

Both houses of Congress also have grave responsibility.
議会の責任も極めて重い。

Meanwhile, the yen's appreciation continues, with the currency in record strong territory of 76 yen to the dollar, causing hardships in the Japanese economy.
　一方、円高圧力は続いており、１ドル＝７６円台の歴史的な円高水準は日本にとって厳しい。

The yen's rise puts pressure on the earnings of export-oriented firms, thus hindering Japan's economic recovery. 　円高は輸出企業の収益を圧迫し、景気回復の足を引っ張る。

Should Japanese firms accelerate their moves to shift production abroad to cope with the yen's rise, it would bring about a hollowing-out of the nation's industries.
円高対策で海外生産が加速すると、産業空洞化も招く。

We hope Japanese companies will work out better strategies to deal with the excessive rise of the yen.
各企業は国内生産を維持しながら、超円高に対応できる戦略を練ってほしい。

The government should also expand its support to them.
政府も支援を拡充すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 2, 2011)
（2011年8月2日01時39分 読売新聞）