英字新聞
読売、毎日、朝日各社英字新聞の主として社説を学習研究します

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 23, 2011)
Monju reactor program not appropriate for budget screening
「もんじゅ」　政策仕分けにはなじまない（11月22日付・読売社説）

The Government Revitalization Unit has proposed a drastic review of the Monju program, which aims to develop a next-generation nuclear reactor. The review will include whether the program should be scrapped.
　次世代の原子炉を目指す高速増殖炉「もんじゅ」について、政府の行政刷新会議が、計画存続の是非を含め、抜本的に見直すよう提言した。

During the unit's policy review session that started Sunday, all seven members of the screening committee, which includes Diet members of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, criticized the program. "More than 1 trillion yen has been injected so far, but the program has borne no fruit," one screener said.
　刷新会議が２０日に始めた仕分け作業で、与党議員ら７人の仕分け人が、「これまでに１兆円以上の予算をつぎ込んだが、何の成果もない」などと主張した。

However, discussions lasted only for several hours and focused on how to use the program budget efficiently. There was almost no review of technical issues or verification of the program's merits and demerits from the viewpoint of long-term energy policy.
　だが、わずか数時間の議論は事業予算の効率的な使い方が焦点となり、技術的な検討も、長期的なエネルギー政策の観点からの検証も、ほとんどなかった。

We cannot help but call the budget screening session a mere political performance that took advantage of the general atmosphere of "opposition to nuclear power generation" caused by the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
　東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故後の「脱原発」の風潮を踏まえたパフォーマンスと言われても仕方があるまい。

===

Maintenance takes 20 bil. yen a year

The Monju prototype fast breeder reactor has been mostly suspended since operations began in 1994, due to a series of problems including a sodium leak in 1995.
　「もんじゅ」は１９９４年に運転を開始して以来、「ナトリウム漏れ事故」などで、ほとんど停止している状態だ。

Just maintaining the reactor costs about 20 billion yen a year.
維持費だけでも年に２００億円程度を要する。

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency, an independent administrative institution, is responsible for research and development on the Monju project. Budget screeners raised such questions as, "Wasn't there laxity because you're a public research organization?" or "Was there no waste of money?" We think the screeners had sufficient reason to ask such questions.
　研究開発を担うのは、独立行政法人の日本原子力研究開発機構だが、公的な研究組織ゆえに緊張感を欠いてこなかったか。経費の無駄はなかったか。仕分けで、そう指摘されたのは、もっともだ。

However, Japan has been promoting the study of fast breeder reactors in an attempt to more effectively use uranium.
　しかし、日本が高速増殖炉を推進してきたのは、ウラン資源の有効活用を目指しているからだ。

Fast breeder reactors can convert a type of uranium that cannot be burned in conventional nuclear reactors into plutonium that can be used as fuel.
今の原子炉では燃やせないウランを燃料に変えられる。

The program has its eye on the future of Japan, which is a resource-thirsty country.
資源に乏しい日本の将来を見据えている。

Countries such as China and India have also been developing such reactors, and China began experimental power generation this summer.
　中国、インドなども同型の原子炉を開発中で、中国は今夏、実験段階の発電を始めている。

European countries and the United States are giving much attention to whether the stable operation of Monju in Japan, as an international R&D base for fast breeder reactors, is possible.
国際的な研究開発拠点として、欧米からは、日本の「もんじゅ」の安定運転に関心が寄せられている。

It is indeed problematic if the screeners do not take into account these circumstances and international trends.
　こうした経緯や動向を考慮しないのは問題だ。

Organizations such as the government's Energy and Environment Council and the Atomic Energy Commission have been reviewing nuclear power policy, and are scheduled to reach a final conclusion next summer.
　原子力政策については、政府のエネルギー・環境会議や原子力委員会などが、来夏を目途に見直している。

The fate of the Monju program will have to be decided at that time.
「もんじゅ」も、その中で位置づけられるはずだ。

===

Optimum energy mix needed

Nuclear power generation needs to be discussed from a long-term point of view, and the best combination of energy sources for the country must be chosen.
　長期的観点で原子力を議論してエネルギーの最良の組み合わせを決める必要がある。

However, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano said during the budget screening session that if all the research funding for nuclear power plants was put into studying renewable energy sources, the nation's power needs could be satisfied.
　だが、枝野経済産業相は、仕分けの場で、原発の全研究費を再生可能エネルギーの研究に投じれば電力はまかない得ると述べた。

This is not an easy task when we consider current technology levels.
今の技術水準からは容易なことではない。

Edano is downright irresponsible.
無責任ではないか。

The ongoing budget screening has been dubbed a "policy proposing type screening." I
　今回の仕分けは「政策提言型仕分け」と銘打たれている。

n addition to the Monju program, the session also discussed an R&D program on nuclear fusion among other nuclear programs.
原子力政策からは、「もんじゅ」のほかに核融合の研究開発なども対象とされた。

However, as in the Monju case, the budget screening members were obsessed with the efficient use of money.
だが、やはり、予算の効率化に終始した。

The nation's important policy measures must be decided through discussions from various angles.
　重要政策は、多面的な論議を経て決められるべきものだ。

In that sense, the budget screening has its limitations.
仕分けには限界がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 22, 2011)
（2011年11月22日01時16分 読売新聞）

ああ言えば上祐（ああいえばチョウいう）の上祐さん、元気ですね＾＾。
彼は罰せられないのかしら。
（スラチャイ）

--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 22
EDITORIAL: Lessons from Aum Shinrikyo's crimes must be handed down
オウム事件―この過ちを伝えてゆく

All the trials for the series of crimes perpetrated by the Aum Shinrikyo cult are now over.
　オウム真理教をめぐる一連の刑事裁判がすべて終わった。

Already, as many as 22 years have passed since the 1989 murder of lawyer Tsutsumi Sakamoto and his family, which marked the beginning of the grisly saga of crimes committed by the cult's members.
　教団暴走の原点ともいうべき坂本弁護士一家殺害事件から２２年。

And 16 years have passed since cult founder Chizuo Matsumoto, also known as Shoko Asahara, was arrested and indicted.
教祖の逮捕・起訴からも、１６年の月日が流れた。

Many Japanese probably still remember what they were doing on that day in 1995 when the group carried out the sarin nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway system.
　地下鉄にサリンがまかれたあの日。自分が何をしていたか、覚えている人は多いだろう。

To Japanese of a certain age or younger, however, all these murders and terror attacks carried out by Aum cultists probably look like what happened in a distant world.
一方で、ある年齢より下の若者の目には、遠い世界の出来事と映っているのではないか。

Whenever the cult and its atrocious acts are discussed, we are told not to allow these incidents to be forgotten. We couldn't agree more, given the shock and consternation the group's crimes caused not just in Japan but in the rest of the world.
　事件を風化させるな。いつも語られる言葉だが、日本だけでなく世界に及ぼした衝撃を思うと、その感はいっそう深い。

In a society regarded as affluent and safe, a group that justified murders was born. And many young people apparently lost their sense of morality as they got involved in the group and brought ruin upon themselves.
　豊かで安全と思っていた社会に、殺人を正当化する集団が生まれ、その中で多くの青年が自分を見失って、破滅の道を歩んだ。

Japanese who lived in the era when Aum Shinrikyo was active have a duty to pass the facts about the cult and its crimes to generations who will be the leaders of tomorrow so that the lessons learned from the experiences will not be lost.
明日を担う層にこの事実を伝え、過ちを繰り返させない。オウムと同じ時代を生きた世代の務めといえる。

The trials have brought to light some new facts about why these indicted former members joined the group and how they committed the crimes. But they have left many important questions unanswered.
　入信の動機や犯行のいきさつなど、これまでの審理で分かったこともあれば、なお霧の中のものもある。

There are inevitably limitations to what the trials of individual cultists facing criminal charges can reveal about Aum Shinrikyo and its deeds.
個々の信徒の刑事責任を追及する裁判にはおのずと限界がある。

It is crucial to lay a solid foundation for a continued public conversation about Aum based on the outcomes of the trials.
裁判の成果を引き継ぎつつ、「オウム」について考え続ける環境を整えていくことが大切だ。

People and organizations in the private sector, including academics and media, will have to play the leading role in such efforts.
　学者やメディアなど「民」の取り組みが中心になろうが、

But the Diet, for instance, should also do its part by taking steps like commissioning a research team to interview people concerned and collect and analyze related records to share with the public.
たとえば国会が、関係者からの聞き取りや記録の収集・分析を研究チームに委託し、その結果をみんなで共有する。そんな作業も必要ではないか。

Many former members say they intend to keep facing their past involvement in the cult and trying to deepen their thoughts.
　「これからも当時の自分に向き合って、考えを深めていきたい」と話す元信徒は多いという。

Society should pay serious attention to their soul-searching and thoughts, and hold sincere conversations with them.
社会の側もその答えや思いを受けとめ、意見を交換する。

We hope such steady efforts will help prevent a recurrence of similar tragedies.
地道な営みが、再発の防止につながることを願いたい。

Aum's crime rampage has brought about some important changes in Japanese society.
　オウム事件は日本の姿を大きく変えた。

In the area of criminal justice, laws and systems have been reformed to eliminate lengthy trials and establish the rights of crime victims.
刑事司法の分野を見ても、長すぎる裁判をなくすことや、犯罪被害者の権利の確立を目的に、法律や制度の見直しが進んだ。

But Japan still has a long way to go to reach the international norm in its ability to deal with organized crimes.
一方で組織的な犯罪に立ち向かう体制づくりは、世界標準に照らして、なお遅れているとの指摘がある。

The challenge facing Japan is how to build up a society where people can live with a sense of security while reining in excessive investigations and law enforcement actions.
　いきすぎた捜査・摘発に歯止めをかけつつ、人びとが安心して暮らせる世の中をどうやって築くか。

This challenge requires continued and careful debate for building consensus among the people.
合意に向けた議論を、これからも丁寧に積み重ねていかなければならない。

Another important consequence of Aum's crimes is weakened resistance to the death penalty within our society.
　もうひとつ見逃せないのは、死刑に対する抵抗感が社会全体から薄れたことだ。

Public opinion has been demanding severe punishment for heinous crimes, while the judiciary's judgments that reflect the popular trend have reinforced the hard-line public attitude toward the issue.
世論が厳罰を求め、それを受けた司法の判断が世論をさらに強固にする。

Japan has been bucking the trend of international opinion that calls for abolition of capital punishment.
少なくとも国際的な潮流と異なる方向に日本は進んできた。

Deciding on whether Japan should stay the course is another serious challenge Aum Shinrikyo has left us to tackle.
　このままでいいのか。これもまた、オウムが私たちに突きつけた重く厳しい課題である。

愛とは何か？
永遠のテーマなのかもしれませんね。
スラチャイにとって愛とは、その人のために我慢できることなのです。
愛のかたちは人それぞれだと思います。
スラチャイがヨイヨイになったら、娘たち面倒みてくれるかしら＾＾。
（スラチャイ）

(Mainichi Japan) November 20, 2011
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Be cautious about the word 'love'
香山リカのココロの万華鏡：愛という言葉にご用心　／東京

Recently, I encountered the word "love" on two occasions in one day.
　１日のうちで「愛」という言葉を２度、聞いた。

Unfortunately, the situation did not involve someone confessing their love for me -- the word was used at two separate press conferences, which I watched on TV.
残念ながら、私が誰かに告白されたわけではない。テレビで記者会見を見ていて、のことである。

The first was a news conference by Hidetoshi Kiyotake, the general manager of the Yomiuri Giants baseball team, which he organized to publicly criticize the club's chairman, Tsuneo Watanabe, for intervening in the club's personnel affairs.
Kiyotake repeatedly used the word "love," saying, "I love the Yomiuri Giants, baseball, and the fans. 　まず最初は、巨人軍の清武英利球団代表の会見。同球団の渡辺恒雄会長が人事について不当な介入をした、と批判した会見は大きな波紋を呼んだが、その中で何度も「愛」という単語を口にした。「私は、巨人軍、野球、ファンを愛しています」

The second was a news conference by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, held after his decision to have Japan join Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.
　次は、環太平洋パートナーシップ協定（ＴＰＰ）の交渉への参加を表明した野田佳彦首相の記者会見。

Noda, meanwhile, proudly stated, "I love Japan from the heart," after which he told reporters about his childhood at his mother's farmhouse.
首相は「私は心から日本を愛しています」と言い、母親の実家である農家ですごした幼い日々が自分の原風景であることを明かした。

As I was watching, I couldn't help but wonder why the two leaders used that word.
　なぜこのふたりのリーダーは、「愛」という言葉を口にしたのか。

The pair appear to have wanted to emphasize that their claims during their respective news conferences were not driven by their self-interest but by pure love.
それは、それぞれの会見での主張が決して私利私欲に基づくものではなく、あくまで「愛」ゆえの純粋なものなのだと強調したかったのであろう。

However, we can't put our trust in someone simply because they have used the word "love."
　ただ、「愛」と言われればそれだけで信用できるか、と言うと、そんなことがあるはずはない。

As high school ethics textbooks say, there are two types of love: "Agape," which describes unconditional benevolence that does not seek anything in return, and "Eros," which usually characterizes affection between romantically involved couples.
高校の倫理の教科書にもあるように、「愛」には見返りを求めない博愛である「アガペー」と、男女の恋愛など相手があっての愛である「エロス」がある。

In the case of the latter, there is almost always the need for love in return.
後者であれば当然、自分も相手から愛されたい、と見返りを求めることになる。

Sometimes, people will say "I love you" in a carefully calculated ill attempt to seduce someone and use them for personal gain.
そして、しばしば人は打算ずくであるにもかかわらず、「愛してるよ」といった言葉で相手を丸めこみ、利用しようとすることもある。

In my consultation room, that is often the case -- I have had a number of patients seeking help after someone's "love" has betrayed and hurt them.
診察室にも、誰かの語る「愛」に裏切られ、傷ついた人がしばしば訪れる。

But let's return to the two leaders in question -- Kiyotake and Noda. Which type of "love" they were referring to?
　さて、巨人軍の球団代表や野田首相が語る「愛」は、どちらだったのだろうか。

Undoubtedly they would argue that they were speaking of an unconditional love -- benevolence.
もちろん彼らは「それは無償の愛、博愛だよ」と言うことだろう。

However, we cannot naively trust such statements.
しかし、私たちはそれほど単純にそれを信じられない。

I'm sure that there were many people who, after listening to both leaders' comments, thought, "You won't fool me.
There must be something going on behind the scenes."
逆に、「そんなこと言ってもだまされないよ。ホントは何かウラがあるんでしょ」と思ってしまった人もいるのではないか。

The fact that Japanese leaders speak about love so easily is a rather new cultural phenomenon, I feel.
　それにしても社会のリーダーがこうやって気軽に「愛」を口にする習慣は、日本の文化にはこれまでなかったはずだ。

While there may be people who would perceive it a nice thing for middle-aged men to speak about love so openly, I feel a little bit uneasy about it.
「オジサンも素直に『愛』を語るのは、おおいにけっこう」と言う人もいるだろうが、なんだか違和感も覚える。

The reason is that, quite frankly, it sounds fake to me. Do they say "I love you" to their wives and children as part of their everyday lives? I honestly doubt it.
こういう人たちが、ふだんの生活で妻や子などに「愛してる」と言っているとはとても思えず、どことなくとってつけたような感じがするのだ。

There is a need to be cautious about the word "love" -- that is the feeling I got from the two leaders' press conferences.
　「愛」という言葉にご用心。ふたつの記者会見から伝わってきたのは、そんなことだった。この「愛」という言葉が出てきたら、ちょっと注意が必要だ。

毎日新聞　2011年11月15日　地方版

＞ミャンマーの豊富な資源の獲得を狙っているとみられる。
オブジェクション！　中国だってミャンマーに投資する権利はあるはずです。
それがアメリカの主張する自由貿易というものでしょう。
新聞社の偏見だと思います。

＞日本は再開を決めた政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）の実施を急ぐべきだ。
スラチャイも人生の数パーセントをミャンマーで過ごしました＾＾。スーチーさんの家のお隣＾＾。

＞タイの大洪水被害も続き、防災協力の重要性は高まっている。
洪水が引いてきて下火となったころにやっとこのコメント＾＾。
タイ人が本当に苦しんでいる時期には、トヨタ、ホンダのタイ工場の浸水の記事ばかり。
アピシット前首相が火力発電所設備一式を日本に贈って日本を支援したことを忘れたのでしょうか。

（スラチャイ）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 20, 2011)
Increase support for democratization of Myanmar
ミャンマー改革　民主化加速が促す中国離れ（11月19日付・読売社説）

At a summit meeting of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Indonesia on Thursday, Myanmar won approval to chair the regional bloc in 2014.
　インドネシアで開かれていた東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）首脳会議で、２０１４年の議長国をミャンマーが務めることが決まった。

Military rule has been replaced with a civilian government in that country, and Myanmar President Thein Sein has been forging ahead with reform of both the political and economic systems, as shown by such moves as the beginning of dialogue between the president and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, the release of political prisoners and the introduction of foreign capital.
　軍政から民政移管したミャンマーでは、テイン・セイン大統領が、民主化運動指導者アウン・サン・スー・チーさんとの対話や政治犯釈放、外資導入など政治と経済の改革を進めている。

The ASEAN decision to allow Myanmar to assume the responsibility of chairing the regional bloc can be considered a reward for these moves toward democratization.
　そうした民主化路線がひとまず評価されたのだろう。

ASEAN's chairmanship rotates each year. In 2005, Myanmar was scheduled to act as chair in the following year, but objections from the United States and Europe, and from within ASEAN, over Myanmar's human rights violations under military rule forced the country to give up its bid.
　ＡＳＥＡＮ議長国は１年ごとの輪番制で、０５年当時、ミャンマーは翌年の議長国になる予定だった。だが、軍政の人権侵害に欧米やＡＳＥＡＮ内部に反発が起き、辞退に追い込まれていた。

===

China expanding clout

The chair of ASEAN hosts various conferences relevant to the grouping, including the East Asia Summit, in which the United States and Russia take part.
　議長国は米露などが参加する東アジア首脳会議も主宰する。

The decision to designate Myanmar as ASEAN chair in 2014 means Myanmar has acquired a foothold for returning fully to the international community.
ミャンマーは本格的な国際社会復帰への足がかりを得たことになる。

Its economy having stagnated under military rule, Myanmar is the poorest member of ASEAN.
　軍政下で経済が停滞したミャンマーは、ＡＳＥＡＮで最貧国だ。

By making the best possible use of the opportunity to serve as chair, Myanmar should strive to rebuild its economy in a way conducive to having the United States and European countries alleviate or lift their economic sanctions and to encouraging the inflow of foreign capital.
議長国就任決定を契機に、欧米の経済制裁の緩和・解除や、外資導入につなげることで、経済を立て直す必要があろう。

During the years of sanctions by the United States and Europe, China expanded its influence over Myanmar through economic assistance.
　欧米の制裁が続いている間、経済支援をテコにミャンマーに勢力を伸ばしたのが隣国の中国だ。

China is believed to have coveted Myanmar's wealth of natural resources.
ミャンマーの豊富な資源の獲得を狙っているとみられる。

Apparently in connection with this, President Thein Sein announced toward the end of September that Myanmar would halt construction work on a giant dam for hydraulic power generation in Myanmar that had been undertaken by China.
　これに対して、テイン・セイン大統領は９月末、中国が進める巨大な水力発電用ダムの建設を中止すると表明した。

In October, Thein Sein visited India for the first time since his inauguration as Myanmar president, reaching an agreement with Indian leaders on assistance to improve Myanmar's infrastructure, a move indicating the country's desire to lessen its dependence on China.
１０月には就任後初めてインドを訪れ、ミャンマーのインフラ整備支援で合意するなど、中国離れを模索している。

The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has deemed the ongoing changes in Myanmar to be strategically important and is working to improve relations with the country, including possibly easing economic sanctions, as shown by a decision to send Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Myanmar in December.
　オバマ米政権も、ミャンマーの変化を戦略的に重要と判断し、クリントン国務長官を１２月に派遣するなど、制裁の緩和を視野に関係改善に乗り出した。

Due attention must be paid to the possibility of the United States, China and other countries jockeying more energetically for influence in Myanmar.
　ミャンマーを巡って、米中両国などの駆け引きの活発化を注視しなければならない。

===

Japan-ASEAN declaration

In a meeting with Thein Sein on Friday on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda expressed his support for the changes in Myanmar and rightly prodded the nation to make further efforts toward democratization.
　野田首相がテイン・セイン大統領と会談し、一連の改革を評価した上で、一層の民主化を促したのは妥当だ。

Japan, for its part, should implement as early as possible official development assistance to Myanmar, as the government has decided to resume such aid.
日本は再開を決めた政府開発援助（ＯＤＡ）の実施を急ぐべきだ。

It is also of high importance that Japan adopted a joint declaration with ASEAN leaders for the first time in eight years.
In the declaration, this country stated its readiness to cooperate with ASEAN for disaster management and preparedness, while pledging to extend to ASEAN members 2 trillion yen worth of cooperation to improve infrastructure, including improvement of transportation networks in Indochina.
　一方、日本が今回、ＡＳＥＡＮとの首脳会議で８年ぶりに共同宣言をまとめ、防災協力や、インドシナ半島の交通網整備など総事業費２兆円規模のインフラ支援を表明した意義も大きい。

Japan's contribution is only natural, as the country has received significant assistance from ASEAN members in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
　東日本大震災で支援を受けた日本としては当然の貢献だ。

With flooding in Thailand still continuing, international cooperation for disaster management is increasingly important.
タイの大洪水被害も続き、防災協力の重要性は高まっている。

Strengthening cooperative ties with ASEAN, which has long been friendly to Japan, is sure to further enhance mutual confidence.
親日的なＡＳＥＡＮとの協力強化は、相互信頼を一層高めるはずだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 19, 2011)
（2011年11月19日01時06分 読売新聞）

--The Asahi Shimbun, Nov. 18
EDITORIAL: Diet screening of government projects holds significance
事業仕分け―国会の意義ある試み

Are all projects run by the government's ministries and agencies really necessary?
　省庁の事業が必要かどうか、

Even if they are necessary, isn't there some wasted spending?
必要だとしてもむだがないか、

Such questions were discussed in an open forum.
公開の場で議論する。

Screening of wasteful government projects, a signature policy of the Democratic Party of Japan-led administration, was conducted this time in the Diet transcending the walls between ruling and opposition parties. 　民主党政権の看板政策の一つである事業仕分けが、国会に舞台を移し、与野党の垣根を越えて行われた。

The screening was done by a subcommittee of the Lower House's Committee on Audit and Oversight of Administration.
仕分けをしたのは衆議院の決算行政監視委員会の小委員会だ。

Fourteen lawmakers from the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito spent two days looking into four projects--the development of supercomputers, clerical work to check health insurance claims, housing facilities for government employees, and expenditures to independent administrative institutions and other organizations related to nuclear energy.
　民主、自民、公明各党の１４人が２日間にわたって、スーパーコンピューターの開発、診療報酬明細書（レセプト）の審査事務、国家公務員宿舎、原子力関連の独立行政法人などへの支出の４事業について議論した。

While asking for the opinions of academics and local government officials, the lawmakers exchanged views, sometimes in heated debate, with senior vice ministers, parliamentary secretaries and senior officials representing their respective ministries and agencies.
　参考人の学者や自治体関係者らに意見を求めつつ、省庁の副大臣や政務官、幹部職員と時に激しくやりあった。

For each project, they reached conclusions, such as "reductions or revisions of budget requests" and "changes of organizational structures and systems."
事業ごとに「予算要求の縮減・組み替え」や「組織・制度の改変」などの結論を出した。

In the previously conducted DPJ screening, the government checked the government.
　民主党の事業仕分けは、政府が政府をチェックする構図だ。

There was no system requiring ministries and agencies to act on the conclusions without fail.
出した結論を省庁に必ず実行させる仕組みがなく、

In fact, budgets were spent as originally planned for quite a few projects once things simmered down.
ほとぼりが冷めた後に予定通り予算が消化されていた事業も少なくない。

This time, the Diet, as an "outsider," checked the work of the government.
　今回は、国会が「外部の目」で政府の仕事を点検した。

The executive board of the committee, which is authorized to make recommendations to the Cabinet, will discuss how to handle the conclusions.
その結論をどう扱うか、決算行政監視委は理事会で協議する。同委員会は内閣への勧告権を持つ。

We urge the committee to take a firm stand that the government cannot ignore.
出した結論を政府がうやむやにしないよう、強い姿勢で臨んでほしい。

The screening also has great significance in the sense that it once again questions the way the Diet should be.
　国会のあり方を問い直す意味でも仕分けの意義は大きい。

In Diet deliberations, the Lower House Budget Committee is regarded as the star.
　国会審議では、予算委員会が花形とされる。

Although it has been repeatedly pointed out that ex post facto checks are indispensable in cutting budget waste, the Committee on Audit and Oversight of Administration has failed to show a strong presence.
一方、「予算のむだをなくすには、事後のチェックが不可欠」と繰り返し指摘されてきたにもかかわらず、決算行政監視委の影は薄い。

If the committee looks closely at waste and inconsistencies in projects through the screening process, it should be able to develop the ability to see through the "lies" of government offices that use every conceivable means to secure budgets.
　仕分けを通じて事業のむだや矛盾に目を凝らせば、予算確保に手練手管を繰り出す役所の「ウソ」を見抜く力が養われるはずだ。

Instead of writing off this attempt as a one-shot deal, we want the committee to continue the efforts while spreading the move to other committees as well.
今回の試みを単発に終わらせず、他の委員会にも広げながら続けてもらいたい。

To prepare for the screening, the members of the subcommittee analyzed the administrative project review sheets of ministries and agencies.
　小委員会のメンバーは、仕分けに備え、省庁の行政事業レビューシートを分析した。

The documents contain the objectives, budget amounts, actual spending, flow of funds and evaluations of accomplishments for each of the more than 5,000 projects.
５千を超える事業ごとに、目的や予算額と執行額、資金の流れ、事業の成果に対する評価などを省庁が自らまとめた資料だ。

While using the results of such self-examination by the government's ministries and agencies, the committee should dig deeper to check each item to make the process more effective.
こうした政府側の自己点検結果を生かしつつ、掘り下げてチェックすれば効果的だろう。

It was Takeshi Shina of the DPJ and Masaaki Taira of the LDP who took the initiative to prepare for the screening of wasteful government projects in the Diet.
　今回の事業仕分けを準備してきたのは、階（しな）猛（民主）、平（たいら）将明（自民）の両氏だ。

They are both in their 40s and are serving their second term as Lower House members.
Both worked for private companies in the past.
ともに４０歳代で当選２回、民間企業で働いた経験がある。

Lawmakers are urged to re-examine their roles as representatives of the people with fresh ideas.
　新たな発想で、国民の代表としての役割を見つめ直す。

Doing so leads to enhancing the trust of voters and serves as the foundation for political leadership.
それが有権者からの信頼を高め、「政治主導」への礎ともなっていくのではないか。

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Nov. 19, 2011)
Tougher sanctions needed against Iran over N-program
イラン核開発　制裁を強化する以外にない（11月18日付・読売社説）

As has long been suspected, Iran may be trying to develop nuclear weapons.
　やはりイランは核兵器保有の道を歩んでいるのではないか。

Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has released a report on Iran's nuclear development program that provides many pieces of information underscoring such suspicions.
　そうした疑念を裏付ける数々の情報を列挙し、分析したイラン核開発に関する報告書を、国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）の天野之弥事務局長が発表した。

We note that the report says information obtained by the U.N. nuclear watchdog "indicates that Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device."
　報告書が、「イランが核爆発装置の開発に関連する活動を行ったことを示している」と指摘した点を注目しなければならない。

Specifically, the IAEA has learned that Tehran has developed a special detonator that can trigger an explosive device with great accuracy.
　具体的には、正確に起爆させる特殊な雷管を開発していた。

It has also learned that Iran has conducted a large test using powerful explosives.
高性能爆薬による大規模な起爆実験を実施した。

In addition, Iran has built a large facility at a military installation to conduct detonation tests, and is continuing to develop a nuclear detonation device that will use highly enriched uranium, according to the IAEA report.
大型の起爆実験用設備を軍事施設に作った。高濃縮ウランを使う核爆発装置の開発に利用可能な研究を行った――。

There is only one explanation for these moves: Iran is developing nuclear weapons.
　いずれも核兵器開発を目指した動きと見れば、説明がつく。

===

Nuclear test matter of time

Iran has failed to halt its uranium enrichment activities, as demanded in U.N. Security Council resolutions.
　しかもイランは、国連安全保障理事会の諸決議に反して、ウラン濃縮活動をやめていない。

According to the report, Iran had produced about five tons of low-enriched uranium as of early November, and had 73.7 kilograms of uranium with a concentration level boosted to 20 percent by the end of September.
　報告書によると、これまでに生産した低濃縮ウランの量は１１月初めで約５トンに達し、濃縮度を２０％に高めたウランの保有量も９月末に７３・７キロ・グラムとなった。

If allowed to continue enriching uranium at this pace, Iran will almost certainly possess a significant amount of highly enriched uranium with a concentration level of 90 percent or more that could be used in nuclear weapons. 　このままイランが濃縮活動を続ければ、核兵器の原料となる濃縮度９０％以上の高濃縮ウランを相当量、保有可能となる。

It is only a matter of time before Iran carries out a nuclear test.
核実験を行うのも時間の問題となろう。

This is a cause for grave concern.
危惧を抱かざるを得ない。

Iran, for its part, has consistently denied its nuclear development program is military in nature, insisting the program is for "peaceful purposes."
　イランは「平和利用」と主張して軍事利用を否定している。

If this is so, Iran must allay suspicions by truthfully answering all the questions it is asked.
それなら、疑問に自ら答えて疑惑を払拭すべきだ。

Tehran must halt its uranium enrichment activities and cooperate with the IAEA by allowing the nuclear watchdog to carry out inspections.
ウラン濃縮を停止し、ＩＡＥＡが必要とする査察を受け入れ、協力する必要がある。

If Iran continues to refuse to comply with the Security Council resolutions calling for suspension of uranium enrichment and beefed-up inspections of its nuclear facilities, the international community will have no option but to take additional stringent measures.
　だが今回も、ウラン濃縮の停止や査察の拡大を求める安保理決議の履行を拒むのであれば、国際社会は厳正に対処するほかない。

===

China, Russia reluctant

There is a possibility that Israel may take matters into its own hands and carry out a preemptive attack on Iran's nuclear facility.
　イスラエルが先制攻撃で核施設を破壊する可能性も取りざたされている。

As it is virtually impossible for Israel to destroy such a nuclear facility, there is a danger that such an attack could touch off retaliatory terrorist attacks and even trigger a war.
完全な破壊は困難であるだけに、むしろ反撃のテロや戦争に拡大する危険があろう。

Under the circumstances, the international community should place priority, at least for now, on having the Security Council adopt a new resolution imposing tougher economic sanctions on Iran.
　国際社会は当面、安保理で経済制裁を強化する決議を採択することを優先すべきだ。

U.S. President Barack Obama has said he has reached an accord with Chinese and Russian leaders to act in concert in dealing with Iran's nuclear program.
　オバマ米大統領は、中露首脳と「共通の対応をとることで一致した」と言うが、

The reluctance, however, of Beijing and Moscow to strengthen sanctions against Iran on the grounds that pressure on Iran would not yield desirable results is problematic.
中露が「圧力で効果は得られない」として制裁強化に後ろ向きなのは問題だ。

Iran is highly unlikely to change its stance without pressure like harsher economic sanctions.
圧力がなければイランは変わるまい。

For Japan, there is a much more realistic nuclear threat closer to home. Threats from North Korea are far more serious for us than Iran's nuclear and missile development.
　日本にとって、核・ミサイル開発ではイランよりもはるかに深刻な、北朝鮮という現実の脅威がすぐそばに存在する。

The international community should demand that Iran halt its uranium enrichment activities, and if Tehran fails to do so, stronger sanctions must be imposed on Iran.
　イランにはウラン濃縮の停止を求め、行動を改めないなら、制裁を強化するしかない。

As a matter of course, these sanctions should also be applied to North Korea.
無論、北朝鮮に対しても、同様である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 18, 2011)
（2011年11月18日01時47分 読売新聞）