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
Jakarta terrorist attacks show threat posed by ISIL has reached Asia
ジャカルタテロ　「イスラム国」の脅威アジアに

It has become clear that the threat of terrorism, influenced by radical ideology, has spread from the Middle East, Europe and the United States to Southeast Asia.
　過激思想の影響を受けたテロの脅威が、中東、欧米から、東南アジアにまで浸透していることが鮮明になった。

A group of men exploded bombs and exchanged gunfire with police in central Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, the nation with the world’s largest Muslim population. Eight people, including four perpetrators, died and more than 20 others were injured.
　世界最大のイスラム人口を抱えるインドネシアの首都ジャカルタの中心部で、男らが爆弾を爆発させ、警官隊と銃撃戦を繰り広げた。犯行グループ４人を含む８人が死亡し、２０人以上が負傷した。

The scene of the attacks was in a downtown area where a large commercial facility is located. The Japanese Embassy is also nearby. As in the case of simultaneous terrorist attacks carried out in Paris in November last year, the latest attacks were made against “soft targets” such as a coffee shop, where security is relatively light.
　現場は、大型商業施設などがある繁華街で、日本大使館にも近い。狙われたのは、昨年１１月のパリ同時テロと同様に、コーヒーショップなど警備が比較的手薄な「ソフトターゲット」である。

The authorities are investigating the incident as terrorism masterminded by an Indonesian militant who joined the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militant group and is now living in Syria. ISIL claimed responsibility for the attacks.
　当局は、過激派組織「イスラム国」に加わったシリア滞在中のインドネシア人戦闘員が主導したテロと見て、捜査している。「イスラム国」も犯行声明を出した。

Such despicable brutality that indiscriminately attacks ordinary citizens and foreigners is intolerable. The international community must urgently strengthen cooperation in antiterrorism measures.
　一般市民や外国人を無差別に襲う卑劣な蛮行は許されない。国際社会が改めてテロ対策で連携を強めることが急務だ。

It was reported that the mastermind of the Jakarta attacks has been attempting to establish a Southeast Asian branch of ISIL and may have tried to expand ISIL’s influence in the region by waging terrorist attacks using Indonesian collaborators.
　この首謀者は、「イスラム国」の東南アジア支部の設立を企て、インドネシアの仲間を使ってテロを起こすことで影響力を拡大しようとした可能性があるという。

Promote unity

If this is true, it is a serious problem. The authorities must strive to uncover the whole truth of the latest incident and restore order.
　事実とすれば、深刻な問題である。当局には、事件の全容解明と治安回復に努めてもらいたい。

It is also necessary to counter ISIL’s propaganda campaign by promoting unity among moderate Muslims.
　穏健なイスラム教徒の結束を図り、「イスラム国」の宣伝戦に対抗することも求められる。

Activities of terrorist organizations have been abating in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries in recent years since the authorities tightened their crackdown on such groups.
　インドネシアなど東南アジア各国では近年、当局の取り締まりが強まったため、国内のテロ組織の活動が下火になっていた。

But these countries must stay alert against a possible revival of domestic terrorist organizations at the instigation of ISIL and the possibility that a united front between ISIL and those organizations will become more active.
　「イスラム国」の扇動によって国内のテロ組織が息を吹き返し、両者の「共闘」が活発化する事態を警戒せねばならない。

It is said that about 380 people from Indonesia have joined ISIL. From Southeast Asia as a whole, about 600 people are said to have joined ISIL and other militant groups.
　「イスラム国」には、インドネシアから約３８０人が参加したとされる。東南アジア全体では、「イスラム国」などに約６００人が加わっているともいわれる。

It is worrisome that there is an increasing risk that well-trained militants may return to their countries and commit large-scale terrorism.
　心配なのは、訓練を積んだ戦闘員が帰国し、大規模なテロに及ぶ危険性が高まっていることだ。

In connection with this, the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations must strictly implement immigration controls and other measures.
　東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）各国は、出入国管理などを厳格に実施する必要がある。

ISIL has clearly said that Japan is one of its targets. Terrorism that has reached Southeast Asia is not someone else’s problem. In December, the government established Counterterrorism Unit-Japan (CTU-J), which is tasked with consolidating information regarding terrorism overseas.
　「イスラム国」は、日本も標的だと明言している。東南アジアまで迫ったテロは対岸の火事ではない。政府は昨年１２月、海外のテロ情報を集約する「国際テロ情報収集ユニット」を新設した。

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida stressed, “By utilizing the unit and other resources, we want to take steps to thoroughly ensure the safety of Japanese nationals overseas.” To this end, it is essential to share terrorist information with ASEAN countries.
　岸田外相は「ユニットなども活用しつつ、海外の邦人の安全対策に万全を期したい」と強調している。ＡＳＥＡＮとテロリスト情報の共有を進めることが大切だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 20, 2016)

毎日新聞は英訳版を出版するのだったら、もっと正確に翻訳してもらいたいなと感じました。
読売のような逐語訳的な翻訳も息が詰まりますが、英訳版では、やはり逐語訳が基本でしょう。
事件が安倍政権にとって大打撃となるのは必至です。
自民党の暗い体質（＝建設業者との癒着）を暴き出した週刊文春の取材力には恐れ入りました。

January 21, 2016 (Mainichi Japan)
Amari says memories of meet where he allegedly took 500,000 yen payment 'vague'
甘利氏疑惑 「記憶あいまい。きちんと整理し説明したい」

参院決算委員会　第三者交えた調査の意向を明らかに

Cabinet minister Akira Amari said on Jan. 21 that he can't remember what happened during a visit to his office when, a weekly magazine alleges in its latest issue, he personally accepted 500,000 yen from a Chiba Prefecture-based construction company.
"I remember accepting visitors, but my memories of what happened are vague," Amari, minister in charge of economic revitalization, said during a House of Councillors Audit Committee meeting. He also stated that "a thorough investigation will be conducted so that I can fulfill my responsibility to explain the situation." Amari furthermore indicated he intended to include third parties in the probe.
The weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun carried an article in its Jan. 21 issue stating that Amari had accepted money from the construction firm in return for dispute mediation services provided by the minister and his aides.
　甘利明経済再生担当相は２１日午前の参院決算委員会で、千葉県の建設会社から自身や秘書が口利きの依頼を受け、見返りに現金を受け取ったとの週刊文春（２１日発売）の報道について、「しっかり調査して説明責任を果たしたい」と述べ、第三者を交えた調査を行う意向を明らかにした。大臣室で自ら現金５０万円を受け取ったとの指摘には、「訪問を受けたのは事実だが、何をしたのかは記憶があいまいだ。整理して説明したい」と述べるにとどめ、否定しなかった。

"I will fulfill my duties with all my energy," Amari said, denying any intent to resign over the allegations. Regarding his aides' involvement, however, Amari said that "I first heard of it in media reports, and I'm now trying to confirm the details." Amari is the Abe government's point man on the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade deal, and the minister said he would do his utmost to prevent the money scandal allegations from affecting Diet deliberations on the treaty.
　甘利氏は「託された職務を全力で全うする」と辞任を否定。罪に問われるような事実も「一切ない」と述べたが、秘書の疑惑については「報道で初めて知った。確認中だ」と語った。また、甘利氏が担当する環太平洋パートナーシップ協定（ＴＰＰ）の国会審議への影響は「出ないよう全力を尽くす」と述べた。

In response to a question from opposition Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) lawmaker Misako Yasui, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said of Amari, "I believe that he will fulfill his responsibility to explain the situation."
　安倍晋三首相は甘利氏について「説明責任を果たしてくれるものと確信している」と述べた。民主党の安井美沙子氏への答弁。

Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that "of course we are setting up Mr. Amari's scheduled appearance" at the planned Feb. 4 TPP signing ceremony in New Zealand. Suga also revealed that the government is setting up Amari's trip to the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
　これと関連し、菅義偉官房長官は記者会見で、ニュージーランドで来月４日に行われるＴＰＰ署名式に関し「甘利氏の出席で当然調整していく」と言及。スイスでの世界経済フォーラム年次総会（ダボス会議）も甘利氏を派遣することで調整していることを明らかにした。

Opposition parties intend to use Diet deliberations to question Amari thoroughly over the possible money scandal. DPJ Diet affairs chief Yoshiaki Takaki stated, "Even as (Mr. Amari) pushes major changes to the lives and livelihoods of farming families, these allegations surface. This is an enormous problem." Takaki also said his party would "naturally be looking into" the prime minister's responsibility.
　野党は今後の国会審議で徹底追及する方針だ。民主党の高木義明国対委員長は「農家に大きな生活の変化を強いる立場にありながら、こうした疑惑が出てきた。極めて問題は大きい」と指摘。首相の任命責任も「当然問われてくる」と語った。

Japan Innovation Party Diet affairs head Takashi Ishizeki added to the chorus of opposition party dismay over the possible scandal, saying, "From the perspective of the Japanese people, from the true feelings of the masses, I condemn this. The (ruling) Liberal Democratic Party is returning to its roots."
維新の党の石関貴史国対委員長も「国民の視線、庶民の実感から糾弾する。古い体質の自民党に戻っている」と批判した。

(no english part observed)
　ＴＰＰは安倍政権の成長戦略の柱で、２０１６年度予算案に関連経費も盛り込まれている。経団連の榊原定征会長は２１日、記者団に「透明性、公正性、説明責任をしっかり果たしていただきたい」と語った。

The Yomiuri Shimbun
China needs structural reforms to achieve stable economic growth
中国ＧＤＰ減速　安定成長へ構造改革が急務だ

How can China’s economy shift onto a track of stable growth, while preventing itself from stalling?
　景気の腰折れを防ぎながら、いかに安定した成長軌道へ移行するか。

Steering China’s economy as its growth continues to slow down has become an ever more difficult task.
　減速が続く中国経済の舵かじ取りは、一段と難度を高めている。

China’s real gross domestic product grew 6.9 percent year on year in 2015, the lowest growth in 25 years.
　中国の２０１５年の実質国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）が前年比６・９％増と、２５年ぶりの低い伸びとなった。

The sluggish growth primarily stems from slackened investment and production activities, as efforts to get rid of excessive production capacity and real property inventory have made little progress.
過剰な生産設備や不動産在庫の解消が進まず、投資や生産活動が鈍ったのが主因だ。

Exports also declined 2.8 percent from the previous year. As the country’s price competitiveness weakened due to rising labor costs, its status as “the world’s factory,” exporting and selling low-priced products in great volume, has lost much of its luster.
　輸出も前年より２・８％減少した。人件費の上昇で価格競争力が弱まり、安価な製品を大量に輸出・販売する「世界の工場」の地位が色あせてきた。

China had set its full-year growth target at “around 7 percent.” The National Bureau of Statistics of China emphasized that “the 6.9 percent growth is still in line with the government target.” But the country’s high growth model led by investment and exports is already approaching its limits.
　中国は成長目標を「７％前後」としてきた。国家統計局は「６・９％の成長率は政府の目標に符合している」と強調したが、投資と輸出中心の高成長モデルはもはや限界に近づいている。

It is a matter of urgency for China to shift to a consumption-driven growth model, as advocated by the administration of President Xi Jinping.
　習近平政権の掲げる消費主導の成長モデルへの転換が急務だ。

The Chinese authorities said they will promote structural reforms, such as reducing the systemic oversupply of steel and coal. Temporary stimulus measures alone, such as increasing public spending, will not be sufficient. It may be necessary to force through reforms while overcoming resistance from state-owned enterprises and local governments stubbornly hanging on to their vested interests.
　当局は、鉄鋼や石炭の過剰供給体制の縮小など、構造改革を進めるという。財政出動などの一時的な景気刺激策だけでは不十分だ。既得権益に固執する国有企業や地方政府の抵抗を抑えて、改革を断行する必要があるだろう。

Better numbers needed

In stimulating consumption, developing new products and new services sought by consumers would be effective. In order to bring out the vigor of the private sector, which would serve as a pillar of innovation, it is essential to reorganize and shrink state-owned enterprises.
　消費喚起には、顧客の望む新製品や新たなサービスの開発が有効だ。イノベーション（技術革新）の担い手となる民間の活力を引き出すためにも、国有企業の再編・縮小が欠かせない。

It is worrisome that China’s economic statistics lack credibility. There is strong suspicion that the Chinese authorities calculate statistics on the high side to make the nation’s economy look better than it really is. They should not relax their reform efforts, while patching things up for the time being with make-believe figures.
　気がかりなのは、中国の経済統計が信頼性を欠いていることだ。経済を実際より良く見せるため、当局が統計を高めに算出しているとの疑念は根強い。見せかけの数字で当座を取り繕って、改革の手を緩めてはなるまい。

Concerns over the uncertain outlook of the Chinese economy and the yuan’s fall have brought about a vicious cycle in the international flow of money, becoming a serious risk factor for the global economy.
　中国経済の先行き懸念と人民元安は、国際的な資金の流れに悪循環を引き起こし、世界経済の深刻なリスク要因になっている。

The projected decline in China’s oil demand, in line with its economic slowdown, has further dampened crude oil prices. Drops in crude oil prices are driving the “oil money” of the oil-producing countries in the Middle East, whose fiscal conditions have deteriorated, to return to their domestic markets, which is said to be a factor behind a worldwide decline in stock prices.
　景気減速に伴う中国の石油需要の減退予測は、原油価格の低迷に拍車をかけた。原油安は、財政が悪化した中東産油国の「オイルマネー」を国内へと回帰させ、世界株安の一因とされる。

Further decline in the value of the yuan has accelerated an exodus of capital out of the country. Fears are rising that the performance of Chinese companies, burdened with debts denominated in foreign currencies, will deteriorate.
　人民元安の進行は、資本の国外流出を加速させた。外貨建ての負債を抱える中国企業の業績を悪化させる恐れが高まっている。

Also, in order to keep the yuan from weakening further, it is important to create an environment for foreign investment funds to go back to China again, by promoting financial system reforms, including easing regulations on currency trading and liberalization of interest rates.
　人民元安に歯止めをかけるためにも、為替取引の規制緩和や金利自由化などの金融制度改革を進めて、中国に再び投資資金が向かう環境を整えることが肝要だ。

Grasping the structural change in China’s economy, Japanese businesses also have to review their business plans so that they can meet the new needs of consumers and businesses in China.
　日本企業も中国経済の構造変化を捉え、中国の消費者や企業の新しいニーズに応えられるよう、ビジネスを見直さねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 20, 2016)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Use implementation of Iran N-deal to build stability in Middle East
イラン制裁解除　合意履行を中東安定へ生かせ

How to draw Iran into the world community and bring stability to the Middle East, which has been thrown into an increasing state of confusion? A crucial moment lies ahead to tackle this challenge.
　イランを国際社会にいかに引き込み、混迷を深める中東情勢の安定につなげるか。これからが正念場である。

Iran and six other countries — the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China — have announced the implementation of a nuclear deal reached last July that called for lifting sanctions by the United States, the European Union and the U.N. Security Council in return for Iran’s downsizing of its nuclear facilities.
　米英仏独露中の６か国とイランは、イラン核施設の縮小と引き換えに、米国や欧州連合（ＥＵ）、国連安全保障理事会の制裁を解除する昨年７月の核合意の履行を発表した。

Iran has already transferred most of its stored low-enriched uranium to Russia and removed two-thirds of 19,000 centrifugal separators for enrichment. The International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed this in an on-site inspection.
　イランは既に、貯蔵していた低濃縮ウランの大半をロシアに搬出し、濃縮用の遠心分離器約１万９０００基の３分の２を撤去した。国際原子力機関（ＩＡＥＡ）の査察官が現地で確認した。

This would extend the period needed for Iran to complete the production of nuclear weapons from a range of “two to three months” to a range of “one year or more” if the country undertakes it. The IAEA maintains surveillance, and sanctions will be reimposed if violations are found. This can be lauded as a measure to put the brakes on nuclear development to a certain degree.
　イランが核兵器製造に着手しても、完成までの期間は「２～３か月」から「１年以上」に延びた。ＩＡＥＡが監視し、違反があれば制裁は再発動される。核開発への一定の歯止めと評価できよう。

U.S. President Barack Obama said the world would be “more secure.” To prevent Iran from moving to become a nuclear power after the 15-year period for implementation of the deal ends, it is essential for the United States and other related countries to support Iran’s moderate reform policy line.
　オバマ米大統領は「世界はより安全になった」と強調した。１５年間の合意履行期間終了後、イランが核保有に動き出さないよう、米国など関係国が穏健改革路線を後押しすることが欠かせない。

Given the release of U.S. citizens, including a reporter, who had been held by Iran, the channel between the two countries with no diplomatic relations has strengthened.
　イランが拘束していた米国人記者らが解放され、国交のない米国とイランのパイプは一層太くなった。

How to use this to end the civil war in Syria and wipe out the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militant group is now the question.
シリア内戦の終結や過激派組織「イスラム国」の掃討などにどう生かすかが問われる。

Rebuild alliance

Iran, a major Shiite-dominated Muslim country, supports the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and has been intensifying its confrontation with Saudi Arabia, a leading country of Sunni Muslims, which calls for the ouster of Assad. Israel is also nervous about ballistic missile development by Iran, a country which is hostile to it.
　イスラム教シーア派大国のイランはシリアのアサド政権を支援し、「アサド退陣」を求めるスンニ派の盟主サウジアラビアとの対立が先鋭化している。イスラエルは、敵対するイランの弾道ミサイル開発にも神経をとがらせる。

Washington has announced additional sanctions against Iran over its missile development, but Saudi Arabia and Israel have become deeply distrustful of the United States. Obama must push ahead with reestablishing the alliance with the two countries.
　米国はミサイル関連で対イラン追加制裁を発表したが、サウジとイスラエルの対米不信は根深い。オバマ氏は、両国との同盟関係の再構築も進めねばならない。

Iran will resume crude oil exports and expand transactions significantly with foreign financial institutions and businesses, which had been subject to a de facto ban due to sanctions imposed by the United States. Crude oil bills said to total $100 billion and other funds, which have been frozen in bank accounts of foreign countries, will become accessible.
　イランは原油輸出を再開し、米国の制裁で事実上禁じられていた外国金融機関、企業との取引が大幅に拡大する。計１０００億ドルとされる原油代金などの外国口座の資金も凍結が解除される。

Iran’s crude oil reserves rank fourth in the world, and its natural gas reserves rank first. Other countries place high expectations on the country’s market, sustained by its rich natural resources and population of nearly 80 million people.
　原油埋蔵量が世界４位、天然ガスは１位という豊富な資源と、８０００万人近い人口を抱える市場に対する各国の期待は大きい。

Japan, which has concluded an investment agreement with Iran, expects diversification of its sources for crude oil procurement, an increase in automobile exports and an entry into plant facilities construction and management. Efforts must be made to promote information gathering and realize participation in the Iranian market.
　投資協定締結で合意している日本は、原油調達先の多角化や自動車などの輸出増加、プラント進出を見込む。情報収集を進め、市場参入に結びつけたい。

Of concern is a scenario in which crude oil prices drop further with Iran producing more, thereby causing the worsening of economic conditions in oil-producing countries and global declines in stock prices. If Saudi Arabia and Iran are engaged in a continued struggle for hegemony in the Middle East, neither the abatement of regional tensions nor the stability of the world economy can be expected.
　懸念されるのは、イランの増産で原油安が進み、産油国の経済悪化と世界的な株安を招く事態である。サウジとイランが覇権争いを続ければ、中東情勢の沈静化も、世界経済の安定も望めまい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 19, 2016)

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 16
EDITORIAL: A heavy price to pay for Abe's short-sighted economic policy
（社説）株安と安倍政権　経済政策に「百年の計」を

The Japanese stock market has been in serious turmoil since the start of the year. The benchmark Nikkei stock average fell in all of the first six days of trading. Postwar Japan had never before experienced a New Year six-day losing streak. During the first two weeks of the year, the Nikkei was temporarily more than 2,000 points lower than its close at the end of 2015.
　株式市場で年初から波乱含みの展開が続いている。日経平均株価は大発会から６営業日連続で下げた。これは戦後初めての事態だ。年初来の下げ幅も合計で一時２０００円を超えた。

The stock market’s rout was due mainly to overseas factors like China’s increasingly pronounced economic slowdown. Nevertheless, the decline of stock prices has come as a heavy blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has been stressing the fact that the Nikkei index has more than doubled during the three years since he took office as a major achievement of his "Abenomics" economic policy.
　中国経済の減速など海外要因が理由とはいえ、政権３年間で株価が２倍以上に上昇したことを「アベノミクスの成果」と誇る安倍政権にとっては痛手だろう。

Even so, neither the government nor the Bank of Japan should scramble to take new measures to prop up stock prices immediately.
だからと言って政府や日本銀行が目先の株価対策に走るようなことがあってはならない。

The stock market’s climb in the past three years has been driven mainly by the BOJ’s aggressive monetary expansion. In the meantime, the economy as a whole has been barely growing. That means the market rally has not been underpinned by an improvement in the real economy.
　これまでの株高は、超金融緩和によってもたらされた側面が強い。経済成長のほうはゼロに近いわずかな伸びにとどまっており、実体経済とは遊離した株高だったと言える。

If so, the government’s economic policy should not be affected by what is happening in the stock market. The government should take the latest stock market retreat as a warning signal calling for an effective long-term economic strategy.
ならば、経済政策が株価に振り回される必要はない。政府には、この株安を長期的な備えを促す警鐘として受け止めてほしい。

The direction of the flow of money in the world is beginning to change radically. Late last year, the U.S. Federal Reserve Board ended its zero interest rate policy and raised interest rates for the first time in seven years.
The Fed’s action has set off a reversal in the direction of the flow of money. For years, money had been moving from industrial nations into emerging countries. The global glut of liquidity created by monetary easing in most of the developed world is likely to shrink in the coming years.
　世界のお金の流れは大きく変わろうとしている。昨年末、米連邦準備制度理事会（ＦＲＢ）が７年ぶりにゼロ金利を解除し、利上げに踏み切ったことで、先進国から新興国へと流れていたお金の潮流に巻き戻しが始まった。世界中でだぶついていた緩和マネーは今後収縮していく可能性が強い。

Major adjustments in world stock markets that have received a big boost from global monetary expansion are inevitable. The downturn of the Japanese stock market in the past two weeks should be seen as a consequence of this structural shift in the global trend. It should be assumed that the epic global stock market rally actually ended last summer when China’s fall-off in growth battered markets around the world.
　緩和の恩恵を受けてきた株式市場で調整がおきるのは避けられない。最近の日本の株安もそういう構造変化の文脈でとらえたほうがいい。世界中が歴史的な株高に沸いた時期は、昨夏のチャイナ・ショックまでと見るべきだろう。

PRICE OF SHORTSIGHTED ECONOMIC POLICY
　■目先優先のつけ回る

The Abe administration has shown a troubling tendency to place too much importance on short-term results and evaluations in its economic policy. The administration appears to have failed to take into account the implications of its economic policy for future generations as it has focused too much on meeting the current expectations of the public.
　安倍政権の経済政策は、短期的な成果や評価を重視しすぎるきらいがある。人々の目の前の期待に応えようとする一方で、将来世代への視点を著しく欠いているのではないか。

Symptomatic of this tendency is how the government has been crafting the policy proposal to exempt foodstuffs from the scheduled consumption tax increase in April 2017.
　来年４月に予定される消費増税で食料品などに導入する軽減税率を巡る政策対応は、その典型と言っていい。

Although the government has no clear plan to raise the estimated 1 trillion yen ($8.5 billion) needed to finance the food exemption, Abe recently indicated in a Diet session that the government will consider using the increase in tax revenues for that purpose.
　軽減税率を構えるために必要な財源１兆円のめどがたっていないなかで、首相は国会で「税収上ぶれ分」を検討することに言及した。

It is extremely irresponsible to count on an increase in tax revenues when deciding on such a permanent economic policy measure.
税収が予想より増えるのをあてにして恒久的な政策を決めるのは、きわめて無責任だ。

If tax revenues fail to rise above the estimate, the government will end up funding the measure with new debt. In other words, this approach will only pass on the problem to future generations.
税収が予想より増えなかった場合、結局は、政府が新たな借金でしのぐしかなくなる。つまりは、これも将来世代への問題の先送りにすぎない。

The BOJ’s “different dimension” monetary easing, which has been supporting Abenomics, also entails an “invisible financial burden on the public.”
　アベノミクスを支える日銀の異次元緩和にも「見えない国民負担」が隠されている。

Currently, the central bank is purchasing huge amounts of government bonds at high prices. When the economy starts picking up, however, bond prices will fall while yields rise. Monetary tightening in response to improvement in economic conditions will result in heavy losses for the BOJ due to negative yields. The central bank could even find its liabilities exceeding its assets. This is a situation that will require taxpayer money to be used to cover the losses.
いま日銀は高値で国債を大量購入しているが、いずれ景気がよくなれば国債価格は下落（利回りは上昇）する。その局面での金融引き締めは日銀には逆ざやとなって巨額損失が見込まれる。債務超過の恐れもある。穴埋めに使われるのは国民の税金である。

This, too, is an approach that could force future generations to pay the price of a shortsighted policy focused on bolstering economic growth and stock prices in the near term.
　足元の経済成長や株高という目先の政策を優先してきたつけが将来に回りかねない危うさがここにも潜んでいる。

MORE ATTENTION TO INTERESTS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS
　■将来世代と連結で

Still, the administration insists that Abenomics is working. Then why are Japanese companies reluctant to raise wages and eager to build up cash reserves, even though they are generating record profits? Why are Japanese consumers unwilling to ramp up their spending?
　それでも政権は「アベノミクスは成功している」としている。ならば、なぜ企業は史上最高益をあげても賃上げに及び腰で、内部留保をため込むのか。国民が消費に尻込みするのはどうしてなのか。

Keiichiro Kobayashi, a professor of economics at Keio University, says the “short-term optimism” expressed emphatically by the government has underscored its failure to face up to the harsh reality, resulting in the spread of “long-term pessimism” among companies and consumers.
　小林慶一郎慶大教授は「“短期楽観”を強調する政府の姿勢そのものが厳しい現実を見ていないことを露呈し、かえって企業や消費者を“長期悲観”に陥らせている」という。

Shifting the burden to future generations will not change the fact that taxpayers in this country will have to cover the price sooner or later.
　国民負担を先送りしても、いずれ、この国の誰かが支払わなければならない。

The burden could grow further in the meantime, leading to bigger tax increases and sharper spending cuts over time. There is even the possibility that people’s livelihoods may be threatened by hyperinflation in the future.
先送りしている間にそれがいっそう膨れあがり、時間の経過とともに増税や歳出削減の規模が大きくなってしまうかもしれない。いつか超インフレに襲われ生活が脅かされる可能性だってある――。

It seems that the Japanese people are increasingly aware of these possibilities and acting accordingly.
　国民はすでにそう予感し、行動しているのではないか。

In order to allay such anxiety among the public, it is necessary for the government to evaluate and announce both the short- and long-term effects of policy measures by estimating their consolidated results for retirees, the working population and future generations.
　そんな不信を取り除くには、リタイア世代、現役世代、将来世代をあわせた現在と未来の「連結決算」で政策効果を検証し、国民に示す必要がある。

At the beginning of the year, both the stock market and the business community were brimming with optimism about the nation’s economic outlook. It was as if market players and business leaders believed that they would be saved by simply talking themselves into betting on the government’s claim that everything will go well.
　年初には株式市場や経済界には経済の先行きを楽観する声があふれていた。政権と声を合わせ「うまくいく」と自己暗示をかけることが救われる道なのだと信じているかのように。

REAL CHALLENGE IS FISCAL REHABILITATION
　■財政再建こそが課題

But the era of excessive liquidity due to extreme easing of the monetary policy is now coming to an end. The government’s excessively optimistic growth forecasts--a nominal economic growth of 3 percent and a real economic growth of 2 percent--and its medium-term fiscal plan, based on this hope-for-the-best policy stance, will both turn out to be serious mistakes sooner or later.
　だが、超金融緩和がもたらしたカネ余りの時代は終わりを迎えようとしている。「名目３％、実質２％成長」という楽観に楽観を重ねた政府の経済見通しと、それに基づく中期財政計画は早晩、行き詰まる。

Pushing through fiscal reforms based on more realistic views about the nation’s economy, which also take account of the possibility of a prolonged period of economic stagnation, will become the biggest policy challenge.
さえない経済の時代が長く続くことも想定した現実的見通しに基づいて財政再建を進めていくことが、最重要課題になるはずだ。

The current Diet session is considering a draft supplementary budget that contains an outlay for cash payments to the elderly with small pension pots, a measure that has all the hallmarks of a giveaway of taxpayer money.
　今国会でも、ばらまき的色彩が濃い低年金高齢者への給付金を盛り込んだ補正予算案が審議されている。

The Abe administration’s attention is apparently focused on this summer Upper House election.
安倍政権の関心は夏の参院選対策に向けられているのだろう。

Politicians should look further into the future and tackle fiscal rehabilitation under a farsighted policy program. The Abe administration should concentrate its policy efforts on such challenges.
　もっと先も見据え、日本の国家運営の「百年の計」を考えて財政再建に取り組む姿勢がいまの政治にほしい。政権のエネルギーはそこに注ぐべきだ。

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Rapid rapprochement with China led to new administration in Taiwan
台湾総統選　対中急接近が生んだ蔡新政権

The people of Taiwan have applied the brakes to rapid rapprochement with China.
　中国への急接近に台湾住民がブレーキをかけたと言えよう。

In the presidential election in Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, chair of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) — the biggest opposition party — won by a wide margin over her main rival, namely Chu Li-luan. Chu is chair of the ruling Nationalist Party, which has pursued a policy of bringing about reconciliation with China. The election marked the first change of government in eight years.
　台湾総統選で、「台湾独立」志向が強い最大野党・民進党の蔡英文主席が、対中融和を進めてきた与党・国民党の朱立倫主席らに大差をつけて、当選した。８年ぶりの政権交代である。

Concern that Taiwan might be swallowed up by China if Taiwan’s reconciliatory policy toward China continued at the current pace may have expanded public support for Tsai.
　このままのペースで対中融和が続けば、中国に呑のみ込まれてしまいかねない。そんな不安が、蔡氏の支持を拡大したのだろう。

In the previous presidential election held four years ago, Tsai asserted, “Taiwan is already a sovereign and independent country” and was defeated by Taiwan’s current president, Ma Ying-jeou.
　蔡氏は、４年前の前回総統選で、「台湾は既に主権独立国家」と主張し、馬英九総統に敗れた。

As Taiwan has increasingly become economically dependent on China, concern over possible deterioration in relations between Taiwan and China has spread among business and other circles.
中国への経済依存が強まる中、経済界などで対中関係悪化への懸念が広がったからだ。

Tsai’s election strategy this time proved effective. She repeatedly reiterated her pledge to maintain the status quo in relations with China — not to seek independence or unification — while suppressing the pro-independence tone of the DPP.
　今回は、民進党の「独立」色を封印し、「独立」でも「統一」でもない「現状維持」の方針を繰り返し訴える戦術が奏功した。

Public opinion polls showed that the majority of people in Taiwan support maintaining the status quo.
世論調査によると、台湾住民の大半は、「現状維持」を望んでいる。

In her victory speech, Tsai said, “Our message to the international community is that democracy is deeply ingrained in Taiwan.”
　蔡氏は「台湾に民主主義が浸透していると、国際社会に伝えることができた」と勝利宣言した。

Imbalance spurs resentment

The Nationalist Party’s Chu has touted to voters the stability in Taiwan-China relations, in light of the first summit talks between Taiwan and China held in November. Yet there was deep resentment among the people that the fruits of closer economic ties with China have been felt only by the wealthy.
　国民党の朱氏は、昨年１１月の初の中台首脳会談を踏まえ、中台関係の安定をアピールしてきた。だが、住民には、経済緊密化の恩恵が一部の富裕層にしか及んでいないという反発が根強かった。

The Nationalist Party also suffered a major defeat in polls to elect legislators, held simultaneously with the presidential election. This has been attributed to a growing sense of “Taiwanese identity” among the young generation, the perception that China and Taiwan are separate.
　国民党は、総統選と同時に行われた立法委員（国会議員）選でも大敗した。中国と台湾は別だとする「台湾人意識」が若い世代の間で高まったためとみられる。

The DPP has won a majority in the legislature for the first time, which is expected to lead to a stable administration.
　民進党は初めて単独過半数を獲得し、安定政権へ道筋をつけた。

The New Power Party, led by young Taiwanese who opposed Taiwan’s policy toward China and unlawfully occupied the parliament in 2014, also won seats. This indicates that the new party has absorbed those who were dissatisfied with the Nationalist Party-led administration.
２０１４年、対中政策に反対し、立法院（国会）を占拠した若者ら中心の新党「時代力量」も議席を得た。国民党政権への不満の受け皿になったことを示している。

The urgent challenge for Tsai is to achieve economic development that will be felt among the Taiwanese people, while stabilizing Taiwan’s relations with China.
　蔡氏にとっては、対中関係を安定させつつ、経済発展を達成し、その成果を台湾住民に実感させられるかどうかが喫緊の課題だ。

It is worrisome that Tsai has not accepted the “1992 consensus,” under which both China and Taiwan recognized the “One China principle.” China’s administration under President Xi Jinping, which aims to eventually realize the unification of China and Taiwan, has indirectly warned that unless Tsai recognizes the 1992 consensus, there will be no “status quo.”
　蔡氏の不安要素は、中台双方が「一つの中国」の原則を認めたとされる「１９９２年合意」を受け入れていないことだ。
　将来的な「統一」を狙う習近平政権は間接的な表現ながら、９２年合意を認めなければ、「現状維持」はできないと警告している。

Should Tsai continue to refuse to endorse the 1992 consensus, China is likely to apply pressure by restricting cross-strait economic exchanges, thus rocking the new administration. China’s trump cards may include curbs on Chinese tourists visiting Taiwan and direct flights between China and Taiwan.
　蔡氏が９２年合意を拒否し続けるのなら、経済交流に圧力をかけ、新政権を揺さぶるつもりではないか。台湾を訪れる中国人観光客や旅客機の直行便の制限などもカードの一つだろう。

The future course of the cross-strait relations between China and Taiwan will affect the stability of East Asia. China must respond appropriately.
　台湾海峡の行方は、東アジアの安定に関わる。中国に求められるのは、責任ある対応である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 17, 2016)