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The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 1, 2011)
Koshiishi must get Noda's policies implemented
輿石民主幹事長　野田首相の政策実現へ動け（8月31日付・読売社説）

New Democratic Party of Japan President Yoshihiko Noda was named Tuesday as the nation's prime minister to head the 95th cabinet.
We can sense Noda is trying to form an administration whose members are united and all pulling in the same direction like a baseball team, which is different from the administrations of his predecessors.
But will this be possible considering the DPJ has repeatedly been rocked by internal rifts?
　これまでとは違う「全員野球」の政治を実現したい。そんな意欲は感じられるが、内輪もめを繰り返してきた民主党に可能だろうか。

Noda has informally decided to appoint Azuma Koshiishi, chairman of the DPJ caucus in the House of Councillors, as the party's secretary general, and former Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara as chairman of the party's Policy Research Committee.
　民主党の野田佳彦代表が第９５代首相に指名された。野田氏は、党運営の要である幹事長に輿石東参院議員会長、政調会長に前原誠司前外相を内定した。

It is extremely rare for an upper house member to serve as secretary general of a ruling party, a very important post.
　参院議員が政権党の幹事長を務めるのは極めて異例だ。

Koshiishi is close to former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa.
By placing Koshiishi in a prime post, Noda apparently is trying to end the intraparty conflict between "pro-Ozawa" and "anti-Ozawa" members--frictions that surfaced during the DPJ presidential race--and build a united party.
　小沢一郎元代表に近い輿石氏の起用は、代表選で露呈した「親小沢」「反小沢」の党内対立に終止符を打ち、挙党態勢を構築する狙いがある。

It substantiates Noda's call to have no hard feelings after the election.
野田氏の言う「ノーサイド」の具体化だ。

The new Noda administration will face a mountain of important issues--including a review of the DPJ's election promises, which are full of dole-out policies; tax increases to secure funds for disaster reconstruction and social security reform; and possible participation in negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement.
　野田新政権は、バラマキ政策に満ちた政権公約（マニフェスト）の見直しや、震災復興や社会保障改革の財源確保のための増税、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加などの重要課題を抱えている。

===

Useful ties with LDP, Komeito

In the DPJ presidential election, Noda made arguments supporting those issues.
However, outgoing Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda and the other candidates opposed them. 　いずれも野田氏が代表選で主張してきたが、海江田万里経済産業相らは異論を唱えた。

Koshiishi, who backed Kaieda in the election, will be tested on whether he can smooth over differing opinions among party members and get these policy measures implemented.
今後、いかに党内の意見を集約し、これらの政策を実現するか、海江田氏を推した輿石氏の手腕が問われる。

Koshiishi has long been a facilitator of DPJ upper house members and has strong connections with the major opposition Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
　輿石氏は、参院民主党のまとめ役を長く務め、自民、公明など野党とのパイプもある。

We think he should use his skills to enact the third supplementary budget for disaster restoration as quickly as possible in the so-called divided Diet, where the opposition controls the upper house.
衆参ねじれ国会の下で、震災復興のための第３次補正予算案などの早期成立にも力を発揮すべきだ。

Meanwhile, Maehara is an expert in foreign and security policies, and of the same generation as Noda.
The two have a cooperative relationship.
　一方、前原氏は、外交・安全保障政策に詳しく、野田氏と同じ世代で、協力関係にある。

Noda apparently tapped Maehara to be the party's policy research chief in a bid to keep a balance with Koshiishi, a senior politician.
ベテランの輿石氏とのバランスも考慮したと見られる。

In the party leadership race, Maehara advocated a review of the Policy Research Committee.
He wanted more party lawmakers involved in the policy-making process.
This fits in with Noda's plan to form a united team.
　前原氏は代表選で、政策調査会の見直しを掲げていた。より多くの議員を政策決定過程に参加させるのが狙いで、野田氏の「全員野球」の方針とも合致する。

===

Review of policy panel

Noda has decided not to make the party's policy research chief double as a cabinet minister, but to demand the government in principle seek his consent in making a decision.
　野田氏は、党政調会長には閣僚を兼務させない一方、政府の意思決定には「政調会長の了承を原則とする」方針を示した。

This apparently is intended to enhance the functions of the party's Policy Research Committee and have its opinions reflected in government policies.
党の政調機能を強化し、政府の政策に反映させる狙いがあるのだろう。

Under the government of outgoing Prime Minister Naoto Kan, when decisions were made on integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, and the basic policy on disaster restoration, some DPJ members opposed them and demanded revisions to the government plans. This caused constant confusion.
　ただ、菅政権では、社会保障と税の一体改革や、震災復興の基本方針を決定する際、政府案に党側が反対し、修正を求めるといった混乱が続いた。

Simply involving more lawmakers in the policy-making process might cause delays in decisions on policies such as tax hikes, which some lawmakers, including Ozawa supporters, have resisted.
　単に多くの議員が政策決定に関与するだけでは、増税など、小沢系を中心に抵抗感のある政策を先送りする結果になりかねない。

It is important to make conclusions properly based on constructive discussions.
建設的な議論を踏まえ、きちんと結論を出すことが大切だ。

Question marks remain over whether a revamp of the DPJ's policy research panel, an attempt to create a policy-coordination mechanism between the government and the ruling party, will work well.
　政府と与党との間の政策調整メカニズムを新たに築く試みがうまくいくかどうか。

That will be an important hurdle the new administration must clear.
新政権にとって重要なハードルである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 31, 2011)
（2011年8月31日01時20分 読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 31, 2011)
DPJ must revive itself through generation change
野田民主新代表　世代交代で再生への歯車回せ（8月30日付・読売社説）

　◆信頼獲得して大連立の実現を◆

The Democratic Party of Japan-led administration has for the first time a leader with a steadfast political style and well-grounded policies.
　民主党政権で初めて地に足のついた政策と手法を語ることができるリーダーの登場である。

In the DPJ's presidential election Monday, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda defeated Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda in a runoff.
　民主党代表選は、決選投票の末に、野田佳彦財務相が海江田万里経済産業相を破った。

It was a dramatic come-from-behind victory for Noda, who picked up the support of groups whose candidates finished second or lower in the first round of voting.
１回目の投票で２位以下になった候補の陣営が連携しての劇的な逆転勝利だ。

Noda will be named head of the nation's 95th cabinet Tuesday.
　野田氏は、３０日に第９５代の首相に指名される。

After serving as a member of the Chiba Prefectural Assembly, Noda was elected to the House of Representatives. He has since been elected to the lower house four more times.
Noda, 54, will be the first prime minister who graduated from the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management.
千葉県議を経て衆院当選５回、５４歳。松下政経塾出身では初の首相となる。

　◆民自公路線継続は当然◆

The DPJ-led administration has been blighted by a string of administrative failures and unproductive infighting that has disappointed the public.
Many people have lost confidence in the party.
　民主党政権は、数々の失政と不毛な党内対立で、国民の期待を裏切り、信頼を失墜させてきた。

The new administration must break free from the "troika" era led by former party leader Ichiro Ozawa, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
小沢一郎元代表、鳩山前首相、菅首相による「トロイカ」の時代とは決別しなければならない。

===

Interparty cooperation crucial

In a speech before the runoff vote, Noda expressed support for an accord among the DPJ and the opposition Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito on certain key policy issues. "Will the Diet be able to go forward if we ignore the three-party agreement?" he said. "Won't a new administration grind to a standstill [if we ignore it]?"
　野田氏は、海江田氏との決選投票前の演説で自民、公明両党との連携に関連して、「３党合意を無視して国会は進むのか、政権は立ち往生しないか」と訴えた。

This was a swipe at Kaieda, who had earlier hinted at rescinding the deal, which was made on the assumption that the DPJ manifesto for the 2009 general election will be drastically reviewed.
　海江田氏が、政権公約（マニフェスト）の大幅な見直しを前提とした民自公３党合意を白紙に戻す可能性を示唆したからだ。

To realize important policies in the divided Diet--in which the House of Councillors is controlled by the opposition camp--the DPJ needs to cooperate with opposition parties.
　ねじれ国会で政策を実現するために、野党との連携は欠かせない。

It is quite reasonable that Noda emphasized the need to stick to the three-party accord during debates held ahead of the presidential election.
野田氏が、今回の論戦を通じて、民自公路線の継続を強調したことは、当然である。

Noda advocated that present generations should share the cost of providing revenue sources to fund post-disaster reconstruction efforts, rather than passing this burden to future generations.
　野田氏はまた、震災復興の財源について「将来世代に先送りせず、今を生きる世代で連帯して負担を分かち合う」と唱え、

By saying so, he clearly called for an ad-hoc tax increase, which other candidates were unwilling to do.
他候補が否定した臨時増税を明確に主張した。

We think this also is a realistic position.
これも現実的な判断だ。

To secure enough revenue through tax increases, consideration should be given to not only hikes in income and corporate tax, but also in the consumption tax rate.
　増税で財源を確保するためには、所得税、法人税だけではなく、消費税の税率引き上げも検討すべきである。

Noda's ability will be tested over how to overcome strong opposition to tax increases within his party, and to raise taxes through talks between the ruling and opposition parties.
増税に反対論の根強い民主党内の意見をいかに集約し、与野党協議で実現していくか。手腕が問われよう。

===

Black eye for Ozawa, Hatoyama
　◆論争の結果を尊重せよ◆

Noda also said integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, which has a gradual increase in the consumption tax rate as its central pillar, should not be put off any further.
　野田氏は、消費税率の段階的な引き上げを柱とする、社会保障と税の一体改革についても、これ以上先送りできないと語った。

The bottom line is that Noda's arguments won greater support within the party than the line of adhering to the manifesto advocated by Ozawa and Hatoyama, who both supported Kaieda.
　何より重要なのは、こうした野田氏の主張が、海江田氏を支持した小沢氏や鳩山氏の「マニフェスト堅持路線」よりも支持を得た、という事実である。

Points of contention that were supposed to be resolved during previous DPJ presidential elections later flared up and triggered internal feuds.
　民主党では、従来、代表選で決着のついたはずの争点が、後に蒸し返され、内輪もめの原因になってきた。

Lawmakers who voted for Kaieda this time must respect the maintenance of the three-party accord and reexamination of the party manifesto--the assertions made by Noda.
海江田氏を支持した議員は、野田氏が主張した３党合意の堅持と、マニフェストの見直しを尊重することが肝要だ。

Noda called for party unity by emphasizing the crisis the DPJ faces for survival, using such phrases as "last chance" and "having our backs to the wall."
　野田氏は、「ラストチャンス」「背水の陣」と党存亡の危機を訴え、結束を求めた。

Reflecting on past failures, Noda must be firmly resolved to rejuvenate the party.
これまでの反省の上に立ち、不退転の決意で民主党の再生を実現すべきだ。

Every candidate in the DPJ election acknowledged there are problems with the party's process of making policy decisions.
　代表選で、各候補は、民主党の政策決定のあり方に問題があるとの認識を示した。

This reflects the chaos outgoing Prime Minister Naoto Kan caused with his haphazard policies.
菅首相が、場当たり的な政策を打ち出し、混乱を引き起こしたことも反省点だ。

Noda must show regard for the policy decision-making process.
　野田氏は政策決定プロセスを大事にしなければならない。

===

Use bureaucrats wisely

As Noda himself has pointed out, politician-led politics means lawmakers are responsible for making important policy decisions while entrusting what can be done by bureaucrats to them.
　自ら指摘したように、「政治主導」とは、官僚に任せる部分は任せ、重要な意思決定の責任は政治が担うことだ。

He is expected to reexamine governance methods so he can make the most of the massive bureaucracy.
巨大な官僚組織を十分使いこなせるよう、政権運営を見直すことになるだろう。

Noda repeatedly stressed the need to conduct "politics that transcends grudges."
　野田氏は、「怨念を超えた政治」の実現を繰り返し訴えた。

However, this should not mean ending Ozawa's party membership suspension.
　ただし、それが小沢氏に対する党員資格停止処分の解除であってはならない。

The first touchstone for this will be who Noda selects for the party leadership lineup and his cabinet.
まずは党役員・閣僚人事が試金石となる。

The incoming administration will have to answer the question of how it will win cooperation from the opposition parties.
　新政権で問われるのは、野党にどう協力を求めるかである。

Asked after the presidential election about the possibility of forging a grand coalition with the LDP and Komeito, Noda told reporters he would "seek tenaciously to keep company with them and look at such a possibility."
　野田氏は、代表就任後の記者会見で、自公両党との大連立について「粘り強くおつきあいし、視野に入れていく」と述べた。

This suggests he is considering a grand coalition by building trust with the two main opposition parties.
両党との信頼関係を深めて、大連立を模索する考えと見られる。

It is essential that consultative talks with the opposition parties are not rushed.
　野党との協議には、時間を十分かけることが大切だ。

===

LDP, Komeito have role to play
　◆カギ握る与野党の連携◆

The LDP and Komeito remain negative toward a grand coalition, denouncing it as "an exception of exceptions."
　自公両党は、大連立を「例外中の例外」として依然否定的だ。

But the ruling and opposition parties must cooperate in compiling the fiscal 2011 third supplementary budget that will be necessary to promote intensive disaster reconstruction projects.
　だが、本格的な震災対応となる第３次補正予算編成に、与野党は連携して取り組む必要がある。

Japan faces a host of challenges, including possible participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral free trade framework, reform of the social security and electoral systems, energy policy and the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture.
　環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題をはじめ、社会保障や選挙制度の改革、エネルギー政策、米軍普天間飛行場移設など日本が直面する課題は、

Whichever party holds power will not be able to sidestep these issues.
どの党が政権を担当しても避けては通れない。

The crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant has yet to be brought under control, and the economic environment remains severe as the yen hovers at record-high levels.
　原発事故は収束せず、歴史的な円高で経済の環境は厳しい。

The nation's growth strategy that centered on exports of such infrastructure as Shinkansen high-speed railway systems and nuclear power plants has come to a standstill.
新幹線や原発などインフラ輸出を軸とした成長戦略も停滞している。

We think the LDP and Komeito should put priority on reviving the national economy rather than harrying Noda into dissolving the lower house for a snap election.
　自公両党は、衆院解散・総選挙に追い込むより、日本経済の再生を優先すべきだ。

The two parties must bear responsibility for having held the reins of government for so long.
長年、政権を担当してきた責任もあろう。

Noda's election as DPJ president and inauguration of a new administration is a golden opportunity to break away from "politics that gets nothing done." It must be used wisely.
　野田氏の代表就任と新たな政権発足を、「何も決められない政治」から脱却するための好機としなければならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 30, 2011)
（2011年8月30日02時04分 読売新聞）