英字新聞
読売、毎日、朝日各社英字新聞の主として社説を学習研究します

(Mainichi Japan) March 5, 2012
Osaka Mayor Hashimoto's boldness and rudeness
風知草：果断さについて＝山田孝男

The essence of events and their backgrounds have become increasingly indistinct, though a growing number of media outlets are showing ever-sharper images and offer more detailed commentaries on them.
　以前より報道媒体が増え、以前より鮮明な映像が撮れ、以前より長々と手の込んだ解説がなされているにもかかわらず、物ごとの本質や背景が以前より見えにくくなった。

This is particularly the case with the coverage of 42-year-old Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto. TV stations are enthusiastic about provoking belligerent Hashimoto and air images of him in a sensational way, though they have failed to explain the background behind his remarks or judge whether his assertions are appropriate.
　橋下徹大阪市長（４２）をめぐる報道がそうだ。テレビはケンカ上手の風雲児を挑発し、ファイトを映し出すことには熱心だが、背景説明や是非、善悪の判定は中途半端に終わる。

TV broadcasters tend to focus excessively on the roles that this "monster" mayor will play in political realignment and reform of the country, apparently out of mere curiosity, but have forgotten the most basic part of the issue: that his position derives from the autonomous choice of the people of Osaka.
　怪物市長が政界再編なり国家改造なりでどういう役割を担うかということが、津々浦々、興味本位に論じられ、主な問題は住民自治に属するという基本が見失われていく。

Last month, Hashimoto began a survey of all municipal government workers about their union and political activities. The survey asked 22 questions, including, "Did you participate in any activity to support any particular politician?" In a high-handed manner, Hashimoto ordered all Osaka city workers to fill out the questionnaires, including their names, and submit the responses to him as part of their official duties.
　橋下は先月、市の全職員を対象に労働組合と政治活動に関するアンケートを実施した。「特定の政治家を応援する活動に参加しましたか」など２２問。業務命令につき、記名して回答せよと高飛車に出た。

Naturally, his action stirred controversy. Critics have asserted the mayor's action is a violation of Article 19 of the Constitution guaranteeing freedom of thought and conscience; Article 28, providing for the right of workers to organize; and Clause 3, Article 7 of the Labor Union Act, which bans employers from controlling and interfering with unions.
　当然、批判が噴き出した。憲法１９条（思想・良心の自由）および２８条（勤労者の団結権）に違反、労働組合法７条３（労組に対する支配・介入の禁止）に違反していると。

The Osaka Municipal Government has suspended its analysis of the questionnaire results after the Osaka Prefectural Labor Relations Commission recommended that the survey be called off.
大阪府労働委員会（労使紛争の調停機関）が調査の中断を勧告、既に職員が記入・提出した回答の開封・集計は凍結された。

Discussions are now going on nationwide about whether Hashimoto is a dangerous figure. However, an opinion poll by the Asahi Shimbun national daily and the Osaka-based Asahi Broadcasting Corp. while Hashimoto was implementing his questionnaire showed that his approval rating was 70 percent among prefectural residents, and 71 percent of Osaka city residents.
　かくして全国レベルでは、橋下は危険人物かどうかというせんさくが続いているが、アンケート騒動のさなかに実施された大阪府民世論調査（朝日新聞・朝日放送）によれば、橋下の支持率は７０％（大阪市民に限れば７１％）に達した。

"If employees (the unions) have a say in the appointment of the president (mayor), administrative reform can't be carried out," Hashimoto told reporters on Jan. 6. This is why he has confronted the city worker unions. Hashimoto was elected mayor in November last year by beating an incumbent backed by Osaka city worker unions.
　橋下が職員組合と対決するのは「従業員（組合）が社長（市長）の人事を握っていては行革などできない」（１月６日の記者団とのやりとりなど）からである。昨年１１月、橋下は職員組合が支援した現職市長を選挙で破って当選した。

Workers have the right to be protected from unfair suppression by their employers. I feel odd about Hashimoto's character, which combines boldness with rudeness. I also feel disgusted by prominent figures in various circles cozying up to the mayor.
　労働者は雇い主の不当な圧迫から守られて当然だ。あえて言えば、私は、果断と無礼が結びついた橋下の特質に違和感を覚える。草木もなびく各界の橋下詣でにイヤな感じをぬぐえずにいる一人である。

Therefore, it is important to confirm the principle that a mayor should be evaluated by the people he or she represents. In other words, residents should be responsible for electing their mayor. There is no need for people across the country to pay close attention to Hashimoto's words and deeds and make such a fuss.
　だが、だからこそ、市長の評価は地域の住民が決めるという原則を確認したい。選んだ責任は住民が負うという原理を大事にしたい。橋下の一挙手一投足を全国民が見つめ、毎回大騒ぎする必要はない。

The coverage of Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka's words and deeds are another example of news organizations losing sight of the essence of a politician's actions despite repeatedly splashing their images all over TVs and front pages.
　鮮明な映像が示され、批判が集中したにもかかわらず、いつの間にか本質が見失われた例をもう一つ挙げる。田中直紀防衛相の進退である。

Statements Tanaka has made since he assumed the post in January have revealed his ignorance on basic defense issues, such as the Self-Defense Forces' consistency with the war-renouncing Constitution and the principles of Japan's participation in U.N. peacekeeping operations.
　田中は１月の就任以来、自衛隊の憲法理論、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）の現状など基本的知識の欠如を露呈。

Moreover, he came under fire for leaving the House of Councillors Budget Committee while it was in session to have a cup of coffee, and declared in the Diet later that he was "determined not to drink coffee," astonishing the public.
揚げ句、参院予算委を勝手に中座してコーヒーを飲みに行き、「コーヒーは飲まない決意」を答弁して議員も世間も仰天した。

There is no question that Tanaka is less than qualified to serve as defense minister at a time when North Korea's nuclear capabilities and China's military buildup pose an increasing threat to Japan. Nevertheless, he still stays in his position.
　北朝鮮の核攻撃の脅威増大と中国軍拡の折、田中防衛相が適任か、答えは明らかだが、進退は不問のままだ。

In February 1980, the defense agency chief in the Cabinet of then Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira resigned after telling a House of Representatives Budget Committee session, "Since this is an important issue, I'll have the bureau director general (who is a bureaucrat) answer your question."
　大平内閣の８０年２月、衆院予算委で「重要な問題なので局長（役人）から答弁させます」と口を滑らせ辞任した防衛庁長官（現防衛相）がいた。

The official reason for his resignation was a scandal involving agency bureaucrats. No articles directly criticizing his absurd remark can be found in newspapers from the time. In that age, TV stations did not compete by constantly replaying politicians' gaffes and making public sport of them. Still, the prime minister had the defense agency chief step down to take responsibility for his miscue.
　辞任の表向きの理由は、以前からくすぶっていた役人不祥事の引責。当時の新聞にズッコケ答弁を正面から批判した記事は見えない。ましてテレビが失言映像を垂れ流し、コケにして競う時代ではなかったが、首相はけじめをつけた。

Ironically, a national political arena that lacks boldness -- particularly the stagnant ruling Democratic Party of Japan the largest opposition Liberal Democratic Party -- is what has given rise to the Hashimoto phenomenon. 　「橋下現象」は、果断さのカケラもない現在の中央政界、とりわけ民主、自民両党の停滞から生まれた皮肉だ。

（敬称略）（毎週月曜日掲載）
(By Takao Yamada, Expert Senior Writer)
毎日新聞　2012年3月5日　東京朝刊

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 5, 2012)
Talks on revising Constitution should focus on emergencies
自民新憲法原案　「緊急事態」を軸に改正論議を（3月4日付・読売社説）

The ruling and opposition parties should take this opportunity to resume discussion on what shape the nation should take.
　与野党が、「国のかたち」の論議を再開する契機とすべきである。

The Liberal Democratic Party's Headquarters for the Promotion of Revision to the Constitution has finalized a draft of its second set of proposals for rewriting the Constitution. The draft is a revised version of proposals the LDP announced in 2005.
It will work out a definite plan in April through discussions within the party.
　自民党の憲法改正推進本部が、第２次憲法改正草案の原案を決定した。２００５年に発表した新憲法草案の改訂版だ。党内論議を経て、４月に成案をまとめる。

We strongly praise the party's proactive stance toward revision of the Constitution.
　自民党の憲法改正に積極的な姿勢を、まずは高く評価したい。

Noteworthy in the draft is a new provision concerning times of emergency that gives the prime minister the authority to declare a state of emergency in such cases as an armed attack on the country, terrorism or a massive natural disaster.
　原案で目を引くのは、緊急事態条項を新設したことだ。武力攻撃やテロ、大規模災害などの際、首相は「緊急事態」を宣言できる。

The new provision would also enable the cabinet to create ordinances that have the same force and effect as laws, and enable the prime minister to issue orders to the heads of local governments accordingly during emergencies.
法律と同じ効力を持つ政令の制定や、地方自治体の首長に対する首相の指示なども可能になる。

This provision also is meant to prevent such extrajudicial measures from violating people's fundamental human rights without justification.
　この条項には、超法規的措置によって基本的人権が無原則に侵害されることを防ぐ意味もある。

It had been pointed out as problematic that the Constitution does not contain provisions about dealing with emergencies. Most countries have such clauses in their constitutions.
　ほとんどの国の憲法に規定されている緊急事態への対処に関する条文が、現行憲法にないことは以前から問題視されていた。

===

Learn from March disaster

Taking into account the lesson of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the government's crisis-control capabilities must be enhanced. It is an appropriate judgment to include stipulations about states of emergency.
　東日本大震災の教訓を踏まえ、政府の危機対処能力を高めねばならない。緊急事態条項を盛り込むのは、当然の判断である。

With regard to national security, the draft preserves the war-renouncing Article 9, while adding one sentence that states the first paragraph of Article 9 "shall not prevent Japan from invoking the right to self-defense."
Concerning the Self-Defense Forces, the draft says a military will be maintained for self-defense.
　安全保障に関しては、９条の「戦争放棄」は堅持し、「自衛権の発動を妨げるものではない」との一文を加えた。自衛隊は「自衛軍」として保持するとした。

On the subject of collective self-defense, the draft appears to clarify the position that the Constitution can be interpreted to allow the nation to exercise its collective self-defense.
　集団的自衛権について「解釈上は、行使できる」との立場を明確にしたものと言えよう。

The government's odd interpretation of the current Constitution as saying the nation "possesses the right to collective-self-defense but cannot wield it" has long been a major hindrance to boosting the effectiveness of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　「集団的自衛権は保持しているが、行使できない」という政府のおかしな現行憲法の解釈が、日米同盟の実効性を強化する上で大きな足かせになってきた。

It is a matter of urgency to enable the nation to wield its right to collective self-defense, without waiting for the Constitution to be revised.
憲法改正を待たずとも、集団的自衛権の行使を可能にすることは急務だ。

It is disappointing that the draft lacks a provision calling for a review of the two-chamber system of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.
　衆参の二院制を見直す条文がない点は物足りない。

===

Diet system causes turmoil

The presence of the "too powerful upper house," which has almost the same functions as the lower house, has prevented the passage of bills and caused disarray in the divided Diet, as seen in the frequent submissions of censure resolutions.
衆院とほぼ同様の権能を持つ「強すぎる参院」の存在が、ねじれ国会では、法案成立を妨げ、問責決議の連発などの混乱も招いている。

Under the current Constitution, bills that have passed the lower house but failed to pass the upper house need to pass the lower house a second time with at least a two-thirds majority. Paralysis of the Diet's functions must be prevented by easing the requirement, for instance, from two-thirds to a simple majority.
　衆院の再議決要件を「３分の２以上の多数」から「過半数」に緩和することなどで、国会が機能不全に陥らないようにすべきだ。

The draft also said the number of seats in electoral districts for both houses of the Diet shall be fixed by "considering comprehensively" not only the population but also such factors as geography and transportation infrastructure. Depending on its interpretation, it might allow further widening of gaps in the value of a vote among constituencies.
　原案は、選挙に関して各選挙区の定数を人口だけでなく地勢、交通などを「総合的に勘案」して定めるとしている。その解釈によっては、「１票の格差」の拡大を許すことにならないか。

In the Diet, both houses' deliberative councils on the Constitution began discussions last autumn. The Democratic Party of Japan's research panel on the Constitution also said it would discuss the state-of-emergency stipulations and the ideal form of the two-chamber system.
　国会では、憲法改正を審議する衆参の憲法審査会が昨秋、活動を始めた。民主党の憲法調査会も緊急事態条項や二院制のあり方などを検討するという。

There should be more than a few points of discussion on which the ruling and opposition parties can compromise. We hope they will discuss the issues vigorously.
　与野党が歩み寄れる論点は、決して少なくないはずだ。精力的に議論を重ねてもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 4, 2012)
（2012年3月4日01時14分 読売新聞）

英訳版を発行するのだったら和文の全文を翻訳してほしいなって感じました。
で、今日は和文、英文の順序に変更しました。
和文を省略すると全体の意味が薄れると感じたからです。
タイムリーに英語版を出版するには、相当の苦労が要求されます。
がんばってください。

スラチャイ

(Mainichi Japan) March 3, 2012
Editorial: Lessons learned 1 year after March 2011 disasters
社説：震災１年／１爪痕と再出発　私たちは何を学んだか

　海岸線が迫った１５メートルほどの高台に上がると、そこからは広々とした農地が望めた。福島県相馬、南相馬両市にまたがる八沢浦干拓地だ。

　東日本大震災の大津波はここでも猛威をふるった。平地の集落を押し流しただけではない。緊急避難場所に指定されていたこの高台にまで到達、退避中の住民３０人余の命を奪い、干拓地の鎮守として大事にされていた山田神社も社殿ごと流失した。

　そんな破壊の傷痕を少しでも癒やそうという被災地支援の試みが２月下旬にあった。全国でも珍しい宮大工を養成する熊本県立球磨工業高校が山田神社の仮社殿を寄贈したのだ。昨年この地でボランティア活動した熊本県の宮司さんが仲介した。

　◇地域、世代超えた絆
　高さ２メートルのミニ社殿だが、氏子１８９戸の総代長を務める但野幸一さん（５９）は「農業を復興させようという意欲が出てきた」と感謝を伝え、社殿設置作業に訪れた専攻科１年の平識（へしき）有希乃さん（１９）は「津波で家が流され、土台だけ残されているのを見て、心が苦しくなりました。みなさんに元気になってほしい。神社が、住民の心の支えになるとうれしい」とエールを交換した。

　南相馬から海岸線を北上して約１００キロの宮城県石巻市の牡鹿半島。入り江ごとにあるカキ養殖の集落の一つ、小網倉浜で漁師の阿部亮一さん（５１）に出会った。

あの日はちょうど出漁中で、沖へ出て津波から逃れた。
Ryoichi Abe, 51, a fisherman from Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, was operating off the Ojika Peninsula when a massive tsunami generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake hit his neighborhood on March 11, 2011.

だが、２日後に浜に戻り惨禍に衝撃を受けた。５０世帯、１２０人の集落で１６人が亡くなり、漁船も漁具もごっそりやられていた。
Two days after the tsunami, he returned to his home port and was shocked by the devastation wrought by the disaster. Sixteen of the 120 residents in his neighborhood died. Many of his fellow fishermen lost their fishing boats and equipment.

　やる気を失っていた阿部さんたちに刺激を与えたのが、都会から来たボランティアだった。網やロープでがんじがらめになっていた漁具のかたまりを忍耐強く一つ一つほぐして使えるものを取り出してくれた。半信半疑だった阿部さんたちもいつの間にか浜に出て共同作業をしていた。夏にはカキの稚苗をホタテのカラに植え付け海につるすところまでいった。
It was volunteers from urban areas who encouraged Abe and other fishermen who had lost enthusiasm about fishing to resume their business. The volunteers carefully unraveled ropes and nets that had become tangled in fishing devices, and recovered usable equipment. Abe and other fishermen joined the volunteers in their work. In the summer, the fishermen were able to resume oyster farming.

　「ここまできたのもボランティアのおかげ。すごい力だっちゃ。これは忘れねえ」
"We got to this point thanks to the volunteers. They have incredible power. I'll never forget what they did for us," Abe says.

　早ければ今年秋にも最初の収穫を迎えることができる、という。
He says he and his fellow fishermen will be able to ship the oysters in autumn this year if things go smoothly.

　被災した地域を歩いてみると、あちこちでこういったエピソードと出合うことができる。何とか復興に向けて前に進もうとする被災者と、少しでも役に立ちたい、と支援の手を差し伸べる側と、地域と世代を超えた絆の世界が今なお広がっている。災害の爪痕は残るものの、再出発の動きもまた始まりつつあるのだ。
Close bonds between disaster survivors who are trying hard to move toward recovery and those who are lending a helping hand can be observed throughout disaster-ravaged areas.

　３・１１から１年。私たちは何を失い、何を学んだのか。これを機に考えてみたい。
We would like to take this opportunity as we approach the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami to think about what we have lost -- and learned -- from the disasters.

　失ったものは、あまりにも大きかった。約２万人の尊い人命と、数十万人のかけがえのない財産と生活、生産現場や雇用も奪われた。福島の原発被災地域では、ふるさとに住み続ける自由さえ失われている。
The losses are enormous: the lives of some 20,000 people, the assets and the peace of hundreds of thousands of people and numerous jobs. Residents of areas heavily affected by the ongoing crisis at the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant have also been deprived of the freedom to live in their hometowns.

　得たものはあったのか。逆境に負けずたくましく生活を再建させていく日本人の強さを世界に再認識させた。人の痛みを自ら引き受けようとする「絆」や連帯意識の強さが改めてクローズアップされた。南相馬や牡鹿半島で私たちが見てきたものもその一コマであった。
Yet amid such hardships, Japanese people have shown to the world that they have a strong will to restore their livelihoods. Close bonds and solidarity between victims and those who have shown willingness to share their pain have shone through the disaster.

　◇政治の解決力強化を
　では、何を学んだのか。ここでは二つのことを取り上げてみよう。
We would like to cite two things we have learned from the March 2011 quake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear crisis.

　一つは、政治の重要性である。これはこの１年間政治がうまく機能していなかったことの逆説的総括である。今振り返っても３・１１後の日本政治は混迷を極めた。
One of them is the importance of politics. The government's response to the disasters has demonstrated that politics has not functioned properly and has been in chaos since March 11, 2011.

いくつもの対策本部は設置されたが、政治家が責任を持って決断し官僚がその専門的能力をフルに出し切る、という本来の意味での政治主導を実現するには至らなかった。
Even though the government set up several task forces to handle disaster countermeasures, its system of political leadership -- having politicians being responsible for decisions on policy while bureaucrats put their expertise to work to implement these measures -- has failed to function as far as the government's response to the disasters is concerned.

与野党が一致協力して短期集中的に問題解決を図る、という政治のダイナミズムが発揮されることもなかった。与党内の足並みの乱れが政局の混乱を加速させた。　このため、政治にしか解決できない問題の処理が軒並み遅れた。The ruling and opposition parties have also failed to cooperate closely to solve problems with speed and focus. On the contrary, a conflict within the ruling bloc has contributed to confusion in the political situation, and delayed solutions to problems that require political-level decisions.

４兆円の第１次補正予算が成立したのが５月２日。復興期間、規模、財源、特区など復興の基本的方向性を定めた「復興基本方針」策定は地震から４カ月半後の７月２９日までずれこんだ。
The 4 trillion yen initial supplementary budget for fiscal 2011 -- designed to finance disaster recovery efforts -- did not become law until May 2, 2011. Furthermore, the government's compilation of the principles for disaster recovery, which provide direction during the recovery period and cover the scale and length of recovery measures, the financial resources required and the designation of special restoration zones, did not come until July 29 -- 4 1/2 months after the disasters.

帝都復興院が関東大震災後４週間で設置されたのに比べ、復興庁の発足は発生１１カ月後の２月１０日を待たなければならなかった。
The government finally set up the Reconstruction Agency on Feb. 10 -- 11 months after the Great East Japan Earthquake. This is in stark contrast to the establishment of a similar body only four weeks after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake that devastated Tokyo and its environs.

　政治の問題解決能力を強化すること。これは、これから起こりうる災害に対し私たちが自分を守るためにも重要だし、３・１１以外の日本が抱えるさまざまな懸案事項を前進させるためにも必要不可欠である。
Enhancing political ability to solve problems is important as a means to protect ourselves from future disasters and indispensable when the government tackles other outstanding issues.

　二つ目に、原発・エネルギー政策の根源的見直しの必然性である。私たちは、原発の安全神話にあまりにも安直にのっかってきた。原発依存をどう解消していくか。その穴を代替エネルギーでどう埋めていくのか。いわゆる核のゴミ問題をどう解決するのか。いずれも難しい課題だが、日本がこれらの解決先進国になれれば、世界に対して貢献できる。
Our second lesson is the inevitability of a fundamental review of Japan's energy policy -- including nuclear power. We were overconfident of the safety of nuclear power plants. The ongoing crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant has raised such questions as how to decrease Japan's reliance on nuclear power plants, how to secure substitute energy sources and how to solve problems involving radioactive waste. Even though these are extremely difficult questions, Japan can make an important contribution to global society by solving them and setting an example through reduced reliance on nuclear energy.

　学んだことを将来にいかしたい。そのために私たちはこの「震災１年」シリーズで３・１１をいくつかのテーマに切り分け、提言する。
We would like to make good use of the lessons learned from the disasters in the future. To that end, we would like to make specific proposals in this series, "One year after March 11, 2011."

毎日新聞　2012年3月3日　2時30分

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 3, 2012)
Suspension of uranium enrichment by N. Korea must be confirmed
米朝核合意　ウラン濃縮停止を見極めたい（3月2日付・読売社説）

Will the latest agreement really bring about a suspension of North Korea's nuclear weapons development program? The important thing is to see that country steadily carry out actions that were agreed upon.
　北朝鮮の核開発に歯止めをかけることにつながるのか。重要なのは、合意した措置を確実に実行することである。

The United States and North Korea have announced they agreed during last week's bilateral talks that North Korea will temporarily halt its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, while the United States will extend 240,000 tons of food assistance to North Korea.
　米国と北朝鮮が、先週、北京で行った協議について、北朝鮮がウラン濃縮活動などを一時停止する一方、米国は２４万トンの食糧支援を実施することで合意した、と発表した。

It took about a week until Wednesday's announcement because it is believed to have been necessary to check the contents of the agreement and coordinate among countries concerned.
　発表まで約１週間たったのは、合意内容の点検や関係国との調整が必要だったためと見られる。

===

Limited, but important, progress

According to the U.S. government, North Korea will stop nuclear and related activities in Yongbyon, including nuclear tests, uranium enrichment and the launching of long-range missiles. North Korea also agreed to accept verification and confirmation by the International Atomic Energy Agency of the halt of its nuclear activities.
　米政府によると、北朝鮮が停止するのは、長距離ミサイル発射、核実験、ウラン濃縮活動を含む寧辺での核活動だ。北朝鮮は、国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）による核活動停止の検証、確認を受け入れることも同意した。

Three years ago North Korea ejected IAEA inspectors from Yongbyon and carried out a second nuclear test. Declaring it would use all the plutonium it possesses for weapons and start uranium enrichment, it has been continuing its nuclear program.
　北朝鮮は３年前、ＩＡＥＡ要員を寧辺から強制退去させ、２度目の核実験を強行した。保有するプルトニウム全量を「兵器化」し、ウラン濃縮活動を開始する、と宣言して核開発を続けている。

If the situation is left untouched, it will only be a matter of time until North Korea deploys nuclear missiles. Considering the danger, the agreement this time is "important, if limited, progress," as the U.S. government put it.
　このままでは、北朝鮮の核ミサイル配備も時間の問題だ。その危険を考えれば、今回の合意は、米政府が言う通り「限定的ながらも重要な進展」には違いない。

The problem is whether North Korea will surely halt its uranium enrichment program. Past events have shown the country has scrapped international agreements a number of times. The United States must seriously discuss with North Korea the procedures for implementing the agreement so as not to allow loopholes for the reclusive country.
　問題は、北朝鮮がウラン濃縮を確実に停止するのかどうかだ。北朝鮮は、幾度も合意を反古(ほご)にしてきた経緯がある。合意履行の手順について、米国は、抜け道を許さぬよう厳しく詰めるべきだ。

Food assistance from the United States will be mainly nutritional assistance to infants and small children as well as pregnant women, including dietary supplements. The U.S. government has left open the prospect of additional assistance depending on necessity.
　米国からの食糧支援は乳幼児や妊婦向けの栄養補助食品で、必要に応じて追加支援する可能性もあるという。

We think North Korea will perform concrete steps such as suspending uranium enrichment and accepting the IAEA's verification team, while closely watching the progress of the food assistance.
北朝鮮はこの食糧支援の状況を見定めながら、ウラン濃縮停止や検証受け入れなどの具体的措置を講じるのではないか。

===

When will actual halt take place?

According to the original plan, the United States will provide 20,000 tons of food per month over a 12-month period. Will North Korea actually take steps toward stopping uranium enrichment when the first shipment of food aid arrives or after a considerable amount arrives? It is important to clarify this point before actual shipments begin.
　米国の当初の計画では、２万トンずつ１年かけて提供する予定だ。北朝鮮がウラン濃縮停止に動くのは、最初の食糧の到着時か、それとも相当量が到着した時なのか。明確にしておく必要がある。

Even if the agreement is implemented as stated, it is still dangerous to heave a premature sigh of relief.
　合意が履行されたとしても、安心するのは危険だ。

Concerning suspension of uranium enrichment, the agreement targets only the Yongbyon facility that was previously opened to U.S. nuclear experts. Basically, the agreement is merely a partial "suspension" of North Korea's entire nuclear development activities. Therefore, the possibility remains that North Korea will continue uranium enrichment at secret nuclear facilities elsewhere.
　ウラン濃縮の停止について、合意は、北朝鮮が米国の核専門家に公開した寧辺の施設だけを対象にした。合意は、あくまで核活動の部分的な「停止」に過ぎず、秘密の核施設で北朝鮮がウラン濃縮を続ける可能性は十分に残る。

Since the death of longtime leader Kim Jong Il, North Korea has been hurriedly trying to consolidate the regime that succeeded him, with his young son Kim Jong Un at the center of the country's administration.
　金正日総書記の死去後、北朝鮮は若い正恩氏を中心とする後継体制固めを急いでいる。

The more vulnerable the regime feels, the more it will stick to its nuclear program and missiles, dubbed the "heritage of revolution," and will never give up them.
その体制が脆弱(ぜいじゃく)であればあるほど、「革命の遺産」である核とミサイルにしがみつき、手放すはずはない。

The fundamental threat of North Korea has not been lessened. We must stay alert.
　北朝鮮の根本的な脅威は減じておらず、警戒は怠れない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 2, 2012)
（2012年3月2日01時16分 読売新聞）

--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 29
EDITORIAL: Elpida’s bankruptcy is a warning against easy government bailouts
エルピーダ倒産―安易な救済への警鐘だ

Elpida Memory Inc., the world’s No. 3 maker of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) chips used to store data in personal computers and other devices, has filed for bankruptcy protection under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law.
　パソコンなどでデータを記憶する半導体ＤＲＡＭで世界３位のエルピーダメモリが、会社更生法の適用を申請して倒産した。

Elpida’s collapse under the weight of 448 billion yen ($5.6 billion) in liabilities represents the largest-ever corporate bankruptcy in Japan’s manufacturing sector.
負債総額は４４８０億円。製造業では過去最大だ。

Elpida is Japan’s sole remaining maker of DRAMs, created by integrating the DRAM manufacturing operations of NEC Corp., Hitachi Ltd. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
　ＮＥＣと日立製作所、三菱電機の事業を集約した日本で唯一のＤＲＡＭメーカーである。

Elpida received an injection of 30 billion yen in capital from the government-owned Development Bank of Japan in 2009 following the global economic downturn triggered by the fall 2008 collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers. The unusual bailout committed the government to absorb losses incurred by the company.
　リーマン・ショック後の０９年には日本政策投資銀行から３００億円の出資を仰ぎ、損失は政府が補填（ほてん）する異例の公的支援を受けていた。

Elpida’s downfall was caused by a confluence of factors, including the heavy blow delivered to its bottom line by the yen’s sharp appreciation and a slump in global personal computer sales due partly to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe.
　急激な円高による採算悪化、欧州危機を一因とするパソコンの世界的な販売不振など、様々な要因が重なった。

The fundamental cause of Elpida’s predicament, however, concerned structural challenges posed by competition from South Korean and Taiwanese rivals, led by Samsung Electronics Co., which have expanded their shares in the global DRAM market in recent years.
しかし、根本には、サムスン電子をはじめとする韓国、台湾勢に市場を奪われる構造的な苦境がある。

In the 1980s, Japanese makers controlled 70 percent of the world DRAM market.
　ＤＲＡＭでは、８０年代に日本メーカーが世界市場の７割を占めた。

But the competitive landscape changed dramatically while Japanese chip makers were hamstrung by the export restrictions imposed on them as a result of a semiconductor trade dispute between Japan and the United States.
しかし、日米半導体摩擦に伴う輸出規制で日本勢が動きを封じられているうちに、様相は一変した。

Attaining leadership in the DRAM market requires continuing massive investments in technology and equipment.
　ＤＲＡＭ事業で主導権を握るには、巨額の投資を続けることが不可欠だ。

South Korea’s Samsung has various other businesses that support its great financial strength. Elpida, which is dedicated to the DRAM business, apparently fought against hopeless odds when it challenged Samsung’s market leadership.
サムスンはほかにも様々な事業を持ち、財務基盤が厚い。エルピーダがＤＲＡＭ専業で対抗しようとしたことに無理があった。

Of the 30 billion yen of taxpayer money injected into Elpida, up to 28 billion yen may prove to be unrecoverable, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
　経済産業省によると、公的資金のうち最大で２８０億円が戻ってこない恐れがある。

For all its importance, the DRAM industry, unlike the financial and energy sectors, is not part of the social infrastructure that supports people’s everyday lives.
　ＤＲＡＭ事業が重要だとはいえ、金融やエネルギーなど、日々の生活を支える社会インフラではない。

A direct injection of public funds into an ordinary private-sector company is regarded as unacceptable, except in very special cases.
一般の事業会社に公的資金を直接投入することは、よほどのことがない限り禁じ手だ。

The industry ministry should engage in serious soul-searching about its misguided and failed efforts to save Elpida, which also set the stage for an insider trading scandal that led to the indictment of a senior official at the ministry.
エルピーダ再建にかかわるインサイダー取引事件で幹部職員が起訴されたことを含め、経産省は猛省すべきだ。

What is troubling is the fact that there are other cases of potentially excessive government involvement in private-sector business affairs.
　心配なのは、「官」が出過ぎているのでは、と思える事例がほかにもあることだ。

In the liquid-crystal display industry, which, like the semiconductor industry, is facing a harsh business environment, Toshiba Corp., Sony Corp. and Hitachi have agreed to set up a new company to integrate their operations to manufacture small- and medium-sized LCDs.
　半導体と同じく厳しい環境が続く液晶業界では、東芝とソニー、日立製作所が中小型液晶事業を統合して新会社を立ち上げる。

The deal was struck under the leadership of the Innovation Network Corp. of Japan (INCJ), a government-backed investment fund set up to promote innovations. Most of the entity’s capital has been provided by the government, with the rest coming from private-sector companies.
音頭をとったのは、政府を中心に民間が一部出資する産業革新機構だ。

The INCJ will acquire a 70-percent stake in the new LCD company by purchasing 200 billion yen worth of its shares.
　機構は、新会社に２千億円を出資し、株式の７割を握るという。

While the market for small- and medium-sized LCDs is expected to grow, fierce price competition in the market means quick and flexible decision-making is essential for success. Will the government-led consolidation work?
中小型液晶は市場の拡大は期待できるが、価格競争が激しく、機敏な経営判断が欠かせない。官主導の再編でうまくいくだろうか。

During the era when Japan was pursuing a clear goal of catching up with Western industrial nations, the government was able to provide effective leadership for the growth of Japanese industries. But that era is long gone.
　欧米に追いつき、追い越すという明確な目標があり、政府が旗を振れた時代はとうに過ぎた。

Now, the private sector should be left to tackle the challenge of creating and nurturing new growth industries by using its own intellectual and other resources.
新産業をどう切り開いていくのかは、民間の知恵に任せるべきだろう。

The government’s role should be limited to supporting private-sector initiatives by improving the environment for corporate activities.
政府の役割は企業が活動しやすい環境を整え、後方支援に徹することだ。

一昔前までは日本の電化製品が幅をきかせていました。
学校では日本語は人気の学習課目でした。
現在では大きく景色の様変わりが見受けられます。
タイの大型スーパーマーケット市場で人気家電はサムスンとLG、いずれも韓国勢。
日本語は北京語にその人気をされわれてしまっています。
冷ややかな現実はしっかり受け止める必要があるのかも知れません。
頑張れニッポン！

スラチャイ

(Mainichi Japan) February 29, 2012
Fully utilize private-sector wisdom to bail out failed Elpida Memory Inc.
社説：エルピーダ破綻　民間の知恵で再建を

Private-sector wisdom should be fully utilized to bail out the failed semiconductor manufacturer Elpida Memory Inc., which has gone under and applied for bankruptcy protection under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law.
　エルピーダメモリが会社更生法の適用を申請した。

Elpida, which is the world's third largest manufacturer of semiconductors for memory, fell into a financial crisis following a sharp plunge in the market prices of such products and the yen's steep appreciation. It attempted to rehabilitate itself through a capital alliance with another company, but gave up after failing to raise sufficient operating funds. Its liabilities total 448 billion yen, the largest amount ever incurred by a failed manufacturer.
世界３位の記憶用半導体メーカーだが、価格の急落に円高などが重なり、資本提携で活路を探ったものの、資金繰りに窮し、自力再建を断念した。４４８０億円の負債総額は製造業の破綻では過去最大だ。

Japan had once been dominant in the international semiconductor market, and it became a focus of attention in Japan-U.S. trade friction. In the 1990s, however, manufacturers in South Korea and other emerging economies went on the offensive, causing Japanese manufacturers' market share to decline constantly. Many Japanese manufacturers were forced to merge their semiconductor divisions, and the business of semiconductors for memory was integrated into Elpida.
　半導体は一時、日本が世界を席巻し、日米貿易摩擦の焦点ともなった分野だった。しかし、９０年代に入ると韓国などのメーカーの攻勢を受けて国内メーカーはシェアを落とし続けた。事業の統合を進めざるを得なくなり、記憶用半導体はエルピーダに集約された。

Fierce competition for investment in such semiconductor businesses continued. Whenever there was an excess of supply, the market prices of such products plummeted, threatening Elpida's business activity.
　激しい投資競争はその後も続き、供給過剰に陥るたびに市況は急落し、エルピーダの経営を揺さぶった。

Following the collapse of the Lehman Brothers in 2008, Elpida became the first company to receive an infusion of public funds to rehabilitate itself under the Law on Special Measures for Industrial Revitalization.
リーマン・ショック後には、国が公的資金を投入して企業再生を目指す改正産業活力再生特別措置法（産活法）の適用第１号となり、経営の立て直しを進めてきた。

However, its business performance worsened rapidly due to a sharp plunge in market prices and the steep appreciation of the yen, and the period of its rehabilitation under the special measures law is due to end at the end of March.
　しかし、市況の急落と円高により業績が急速に悪化する中で、３月末には産活法の適用期限を迎える。

Elpida sought to delay the deadline for repaying the public funds and obtain loans from private financial institutions to repay the taxpayers' money it had borrowed under the law. However, its negotiations on fundamentally rehabilitating itself, which is a prerequisite for such measures, did not proceed smoothly.
公的資金の返済延期や、金融機関からの融資の借り換えを模索したものの、その前提となる、抜本的な再建策をめぐる交渉は難航した。

Efforts to rehabilitate Elpida under the special measures law, which were led by the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, have come to a deadlock. The government must take it seriously that the failure of Elpida could cost taxpayers a total of 28 billion yen.
　一方、産活法を適用して経済産業省主導で進められてきた再建策は、行き詰まったことになる。破綻によって最大２８０億円の国民負担が生じる可能性があるという。この点を重く受け止めねばならない。

The government led the rehabilitation of Elpida on the grounds that the semiconductors for memory sector is an industry indispensable for Japan. However, decisions on what industries are necessary for Japan should be left to the discretion of the private sector that invests funds in various businesses.
　記憶用半導体は日本になくてはならない産業だというのが官主導の再建策につながった。しかし、何が必要なのかは、自らの資金を投じる民間の判断に委ねるというのが本来の姿だ。

New products, such as smartphones and tablet computers, will continue to hit the market. Those in the private sector are urged to discuss how to ensure that Japanese businesses retain their ability to develop semiconductors for memory that are suitable for such new products and that Japanese companies can utilize them.
　パソコンなど汎用（はんよう）化したものは別として、多機能電話のスマートフォンやタブレット型端末のような新製品はこれからも登場する。そうした新製品に適した記憶用半導体の開発能力を保持し、日本企業が活用できるようにするにはどのようにしたらいいのか。民間同士の話し合いの中で知恵を出してもらいたい。

Elpida will aim to rehabilitate itself after its debt workout is completed. However, the failure of the company is expected to contribute to a realignment of the semiconductors for memory industry on a global scale.
　破綻処理による債務整理でエルピーダは身軽になり、再建を目指すことになるが、同時に記憶用半導体の世界的な再編にさらに拍車をかけることになるだろう。

It is possible that an overseas manufacturer will place Elpida under its umbrella. However, South Korean manufacturers that have continued making massive amounts of investments are enjoying an overwhelming share on the global market. We should keep in mind that South Korean manufacturers may become the only suppliers of such semiconductors.
　海外のメーカーがスポンサーになることも考えられる。ただ、巨額の投資を続ける韓国勢のシェアが今でも群を抜いており、場合によっては韓国勢以外に調達先がなくなる事態も想定しなければならないという状況にあることも忘れてはならない。

It is necessary to prevent fair competition from being restrained in realigning the industry.
　健全な競争が阻害されぬようにということも、記憶用半導体の再編にあたって押さえておくべき点だ。

毎日新聞　2012年2月29日　2時35分