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
Break chain of anxiety triggered by China causing turmoil in global markets
金融市場大荒れ　中国発の不安連鎖を断ち切れ

Turmoil in the global financial markets, caused by uncertainty regarding the Chinese economy, has been continuing.
　中国経済への不信を震源とする世界の金融市場の動揺が続いている。

On the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the benchmark Nikkei average briefly tumbled below 17,000 points. It later firmed up to a certain degree, but the Nikkei average has dropped as much as 1,800 points since the beginning of January.
　東京市場の日経平均株価は一時、１万７０００円を割り込んだ。その後は、やや持ち直したが、年明け以降の株価の下げ幅は１８００円にも達した。

The plunge in Tokyo stock prices was triggered by the 15 percent drop in the Shanghai stock market since the beginning of this year. Fluctuations of stock prices have also continued in major stock markets in the United States, Europe and other countries in Asia.
　中国・上海市場が年初来、１５％も下落したことが引き金となった。欧米、アジアの主要市場でも株価の乱高下が止まらない。

The turmoil has been partly caused by investment money having nowhere to go in markets plagued by fear over the stagnation of China’s economic growth and the plummeting value of the yuan.
　中国経済の成長鈍化と、通貨・人民元の下落への不安感が市場を覆い、投資マネーが行き場を失ったことが混乱を招いている。

The decline of stock prices has also been spurred by oil-producing countries selling huge amounts of stock in markets around the world as the fall of crude oil prices shows no sign of bottoming out.
　原油相場の下落に歯止めがかからない中、産油国が各国市場で保有株を大量に売却したことも株安に拍車をかけている。

On the New York market, the crude oil price briefly dropped to the $29 range per barrel, the lowest level in 12 years. But still no signs of a rebound are evident.
　米ニューヨーク市場では、原油が一時、１バレル＝２９ドル台まで下がり、１２年ぶりの安値をつけた。反発のきっかけも見えない。

This chain of anxiety has to be broken to calm down the markets. Cooperation among the monetary authorities of all countries is essential, but China’s responsibility is particularly grave.
　不安の連鎖を断ち切り、市場の沈静化を図る必要がある。各国金融当局の協調が大切だが、とりわけ中国の責任は重大である。

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s government is aiming at a “new normal” economy, meaning the transition of the Chinese economy from investment-based growth to stable, consumption-led growth. But it has not yet clarified the path to achieve this.
　習近平政権は、投資中心の成長から消費主導の安定成長に移行する「新常態」（ニューノーマル）を目指しているが、その道筋は明確になっていない。

Map out path

The Chinese government should take measures to prevent a rapid downturn of the current economy, and formulate plans to reform state enterprises and deal with nonperforming loans at regional financial institutions. Beijing should specify a road map for such policy measures.
　当面の景気の急減速を防ぐ手立てを講じる。さらに、国有企業改革や地域金融機関の不良債権処理などを具体化する。こうした政策の工程表を明示すべきだ。

It also must try to communicate carefully with markets, changing its makeshift actions over systems to suspend trading and restrict stock transactions when a market experiences sudden change.
　相場急変時の取引停止制度や株の売却規制をめぐる場当たり的な対応を改め、市場と丁寧に対話する努力も欠かせない。

The United States ended its zero-interest policy in December, and is eyeing the possibility of raising interest rates further. It must consider carefully when interest rates should be raised again, and how much the hike should be, after analyzing what effect the country’s monetary policy will have on the global market.
　米国は昨年１２月、ゼロ金利政策を解除し、一段の利上げを視野に入れる。自国の金融政策が国際市場にどう波及するかを分析し、次の利上げ時期や上げ幅を慎重に検討することが求められる。

Meanwhile, it is important for Japan to prevent the current turmoil in its domestic market from having a negative effect on the real economy.
　日本は、現在の国内市場の動揺が実体経済に悪影響を及ぼさないようにすることが重要だ。

Companies have logged record-level earnings, and the Japanese economy is making a mild recovery. The falling crude oil prices have benefits for corporate activities and household economies. We don’t have to be too pessimistic about the current economic situation.
　企業は過去最高水準の好業績を記録し、景気は緩やかな回復を続けている。原油安も、企業活動や家計にはメリットがある。過度に悲観する必要はあるまい。

However, the yen’s rising value is a source of concern. Many Japanese companies assume an exchange rate of $1 to about ¥120. If the yen becomes stronger than its current value of $1 for about ¥117, it will push down the earnings of export-oriented companies such as automakers and electronics manufacturers.
　ただ、円高の進展は懸念材料である。企業の多くが想定する円相場は、１ドル＝１２０円前後だ。現在の１１７円前後より円高が進めば、自動車や電機といった輸出関連企業の業績を下押ししよう。

While paying consideration to such concerns, the government must prioritize enhancement of its growth strategy. We expect the government to raise the level of the nation’s economy by proceeding with the creation of new enterprises and the development of employment opportunities.
　こうした懸念に目配りしつつ、何より必要なのは、政府の成長戦略を強化することだ。新事業の創出や雇用機会の拡大を進めて、経済の底上げを急ぎたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 16, 2016)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Park bears heavy responsibility to implement ‘comfort women’ deal
日韓慰安婦問題　合意履行に朴氏の責任は重い

At a time when North Korea’s latest nuclear test has threatened the stability of the region, improving Japan’s relations with South Korea is an urgent task. The leadership of South Korean President Park Geun-hye will be tested on this issue.
　北朝鮮の核実験で地域の安定が脅かされる中、日韓関係改善は急務だ。韓国の朴槿恵大統領の指導力が問われている。

During her New Year press conference, Park spoke about the deal Tokyo and Seoul reached late last year on the so-called comfort women issue. Park reiterated her position to seek public support for the deal, saying she would “do [her] best to ensure its content was acceptable.”
　朴氏は年頭の記者会見で、昨年末の日韓による慰安婦問題の妥結について、「合意内容が受け入れられるよう最善を尽くす」と述べ、国民の理解を求める姿勢を強調した。

The deal is a breakthrough that improved the strained ties between Japan and South Korea. It is natural that Park will exert every possible effort to make sure the deal is smoothly implemented.
　合意は、停滞していた日韓関係に突破口をもたらした。朴氏が合意の円滑な履行に向けて、最大限の努力をするのは当然である。

Public opinion surveys conducted in South Korea have revealed that many people are displeased with the deal. Their reasons include the view that “opinions of former comfort women were not listened to.” A support group for former comfort women blasted the deal and said it “betrayed” the South Korean people. Ripples created by this comment are spreading.
　韓国の世論調査では、「元慰安婦の意見を聞かなかった」などとして、合意を評価しない人が多い。元慰安婦支援団体が、合意は国民への「裏切り」だと反発していることに波紋が広がっている。

Park insisted the government had held talks with former comfort women and the support group 15 times before the deal was reached and had listened to their wishes. She emphasized that three important points — clarifying the involvement of the former Imperial Japanese Army; an official apology from the Japanese government; and compensation funded by the Japanese side — were all reflected in the deal.
　朴氏は、政府が事前に１５回も元慰安婦や支援団体と協議し、要望を聞いたと力説した。旧日本軍による関与の明確化、日本政府の公式謝罪、日本側予算による補償という３点が重要で、すべて合意に反映されていると主張した。

Under the agreement, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed an apology and the government recognized the involvement of military authorities at the time. The Japanese government will contribute about ¥1 billion as humanitarian support to a foundation the South Korean government will establish to assist former comfort women. Park’s explanation aims to deepen public understanding of the deal.
　合意では、日本側が軍の関与を認め、安倍首相がお詫わびを表明した。韓国政府が設立する元慰安婦支援の財団に、日本政府が人道支援として、約１０億円を拠出する。朴氏の説明には、合意への国民の理解を深める狙いがある。

Worrying signs

It is questionable that, concerning the statue of a girl symbolizing comfort women in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, Park said this was “not the kind of issue the government can give orders over.” The Japanese government has demanded the statue be removed, and South Korea promised it would strive to resolve this issue in an “appropriate” manner. The statue issue must not be left unaddressed.
　朴氏がソウルの日本大使館前の少女像について、「政府がああしろこうしろと言える問題ではない」と語ったのは、疑問だ。日本が撤去を求め、韓国は「適切な解決」への努力を約束した。このまま放置することは許されまい。

Recently, the Seoul Eastern District Court ordered Prof. Park Yu Ha, author of “Teikoku no Ianfu” (Comfort women of the empire), to pay compensation to former comfort women who claimed the scholar’s book defamed them.
　ソウル東部地裁は、学術書「帝国の慰安婦」の著者、朴裕河教授に対して、元慰安婦の名誉を傷つけたとして賠償を命じた。

The ruling acknowledged that, based on the 1993 Kono Statement and other sources, the comfort women had been “forcibly mobilized” and “forced to live like sex slaves.” This ruling was one-sided in contradicting Japan’s position on this issue and went too far. It must not be allowed to negatively impact the implementation of the comfort women deal.
　判決は、１９９３年の河野官房長官談話などを根拠に、慰安婦が「強制動員され、性奴隷同様の生活を強要された」と認定した。日本の立場に反する一方的で、行き過ぎた判断である。合意の履行に悪影響を与えてはならない。

After launching her administration, Park devoted considerable effort to strengthening ties with China. However, since North Korea’s nuclear test, it is apparent Seoul and Beijing differ in their fervor in dealing with Pyongyang.
　朴政権は発足後、対中関係の強化に力を入れてきた。だが、核実験後は、対北朝鮮政策を巡って中国との温度差が目立っている。

In her “remarks to the people” that Park made at the start of her press conference, she expressed dissatisfaction with China’s refusal to ease its reluctance to impose tougher sanctions on North Korea. Park also clearly stated she would “consider” the proposed deployment of a cutting-edge U.S. missile defense system in South Korea — a plan China opposes.
　朴氏は、記者会見の冒頭に発表した国民向けの談話で、中国が制裁強化に慎重な構えを崩さないことに不満を示した。中国が反対する最新鋭の米ミサイル防衛システムの韓国配備についても、「検討していく」と明言した。

Park’s move to lessen her excessive leaning toward China, and her switch to attaching greater importance to cooperation among Japan, the United States and South Korea on security issues, will boost the deterrent against North Korea.
　朴氏が対中傾斜を修正し、安全保障を巡る日米韓の連携を重視する方向に転じたことは、北朝鮮への抑止力を高めよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 15, 2016)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
United States must do everything possible to regain global leadership
オバマ演説　指導力回復へ全力尽くす時だ

It is hard to say that the United States is sufficiently exercising its leadership in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear development and the threat of terrorism by extremist groups. We hope the United States will proactively work to solve these issues.
　北朝鮮の核開発や過激派によるテロの脅威への対処で、米国の指導力が十分に発揮されているとは言い難い。懸案の解決に向けて、積極的に取り組んでもらいたい。

In his final State of the Union address, U.S. President Barack Obama said, “Priority No. 1 is going after terrorist networks” and indicated his intention to go all out to destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) extremist group.
　オバマ大統領は施政方針となる任期最後の一般教書演説で、「最優先課題はテロリストのネットワークを追いつめることだ」と述べ、過激派組織「イスラム国」壊滅に全力を挙げる意向を示した。

Yet he fell short of unveiling any concrete measures to defeat ISIL. As things stand now, it will be difficult for him to make any significant achievements in his remaining year in office.
　だが、打倒への具体的な道筋は明らかにしなかった。このままでは、残り任期１年で大きな成果を上げるのは困難だろう。

The modus operandi of limiting military operations and emphasizing international cooperation unless the United States and its allies face a direct threat is showing its limitations. Shouldn’t Washington consider sending out additional special forces?
　米国や同盟国が直接の脅威に直面しない限り、軍事行動を控え、国際協調を重視する手法は限界を露呈している。米軍特殊部隊の増派も検討すべきではないか。

It is also questionable that Obama declared the continuation of the half-measure strategy that “we keep America safe and lead the world without becoming its policeman.”
　「世界の警察官にならずに米国の安全を維持し、世界を導く」という中途半端な戦略の継続を表明したのも疑問だ。

North Korea has conducted nuclear tests as many as three times while Obama has been in office, taking much of the luster from his comments about “a world without nuclear weapons,” which he advocated in a Prague speech shortly after he took office.
　北朝鮮は、オバマ政権下で３回も核実験を行い、就任直後のプラハ演説で唱えた「核兵器のない世界」はすっかり色あせた。

In his State of the Union address three years ago, the president pledged to take “firm action” in response to a nuclear test conducted by North Korea. This time, however, he made no reference to Pyongyang’s latest test.
　３年前の一般教書演説では、北朝鮮の核実験に「断固とした行動」を明言したのに、今回は言及しなかった。

N. Korea strategy at dead end?

This can be interpreted as Washington reaching a dead end in its strategy in dealing with North Korea. Vis a vis the state, it is important to explore ways to hold a dialogue depending on its behavior, while increasing pressure.
戦略の行き詰まりとも受け取られよう。北朝鮮には圧力を強化しつつ、相手の出方に応じて対話も模索することが肝要だ。

We also think Washington should have taken prompter, stronger action against China, as the country is turning the artificial islands it has built into military strongholds in the South China Sea. To prevent China from accelerating its attempts to change the status quo by force, it is also vital for U.S. military vessels to regularly sail near the artificial islands.
　南シナ海で中国が進める人工島の軍事拠点化に対しても、より迅速で強力な行動が必要だったのではないか。「力による現状変更」を加速させないためには、人工島付近での艦艇航行を定期的に実施することも欠かせない。

It was appropriate that Obama called on Congress to swiftly approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, saying, “With TPP, China does not set the rules in that region; we do.” Washington should learn from its failed approach of prioritizing cooperation with China while turning a blind eye to human rights and other issues.
　環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について、オバマ氏が「中国でなく、我々が地域のルールを作る」と、議会に早期承認を求めたのは適切である。中国の人権問題などに目をつぶり、協調を優先して失敗した教訓を生かすべきだ。

In his speech, Obama emphasized his achievements over the past seven years and the continuation of his policies, rather than concrete solutions for these problems.
　オバマ氏は演説で、問題の具体的な解決策よりも、７年間の実績と政策の継続に重点を置いた。

The Obama administration deserves credit for weathering the financial crisis under way at the time it was inaugurated and for implementing its rebalancing policy, which focuses on Asia and has promoted the reinforcement of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　政権発足時の金融危機を克服し、「アジア重視」政策や日米同盟強化を進めたことは評価できる。

It was also reasonable for Obama to cite such achievements as the country’s normalizing diplomatic ties with Cuba, reaching a nuclear accord with Iran and inking the Paris accord on measures against climate change.
キューバとの国交回復やイラン核合意、気候変動対策のパリ協定を成果としたのももっともだ。

He spoke of his policies of promoting reform of the medical insurance system and immigration system, and pursuing gun control. U.S. citizens are divided on these issues, and the split in public opinion is becoming more serious.
　医療保険制度改革や移民制度改革、銃規制を推進する方針を示したが、米国民の賛否は分かれ、国論の分裂は深刻化している。

Obama must take seriously the situation illustrated in recent public opinion polls, which have found that about 70 percent of people think the country is heading in the wrong direction.
　世論調査で約７割が「米国は悪い方向に進んでいる」と回答している現実を、オバマ氏は真摯しんしに受け止めねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 14, 2016)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
World must refuse to tolerate further provocation by North Korea
朝鮮半島緊張　北のさらなる挑発を許さない

Triggered by North Korea’s latest nuclear test, tensions are running high on the Korean Peninsula. Further military provocation by that country absolutely cannot be tolerated.
　北朝鮮による核実験を機に、朝鮮半島の緊張が高まっている。北朝鮮のさらなる軍事挑発は、断じて容認できない。

The U.S. forces flew a B-52 strategic bomber over South Korea. “This was a demonstration of the ironclad U.S. commitment to our allies in South Korea and in Japan,” Adm. Harry Harris, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, said in a statement.
　米軍のＢ５２戦略爆撃機が韓国上空を飛行した。米太平洋軍のハリス司令官は、「同盟国である韓国と日本への防衛義務に対する決意を示すものだ」とする声明を発表した。

It was greatly significant for the United States to take swift action to demonstrate its deterrent power in an effort to maintain regional stability.
　米国が地域の安定を維持するために、迅速な行動で抑止力を体現した意義は大きい。

The B-52 bomber, a plane that can carry nuclear bombs and cruise missiles, is said to be one of the U.S. weapons about which North Korea has the deepest concern. It also has a long flight range. In the latest flyover, the U.S. bomber took off from and returned to an air base in Guam.
　Ｂ５２は、核爆弾や巡航ミサイルの搭載が可能で、北朝鮮が最も警戒する兵器の一つだとされる。航続距離が長く、今回はグアムの空軍基地から往復した。

It is essential for the United States to strongly and repeatedly warn North Korea that no act of military provocation, such as an artillery attack on the South, will be tolerated. U.S. military options under consideration for the immediate future include the deployment of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and a stealth fighter.
　米国が北朝鮮に対して、韓国側への砲撃などの軍事挑発は許さないという強い警告を与え続けることが肝要である。今後は、原子力空母やステルス戦闘機などの展開も検討されている。

Two days after the North’s nuclear test, South Korea resumed loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts condemning its northern neighbor’s regime in the vicinity of the Demilitarized Zone. This was based on South Korea’s conclusion that the latest nuclear test constituted “an extraordinary situation” in which the country could restart propaganda broadcasts. In August, the South and the North had reached a deal under which anti-Pyongyang propaganda would not be resumed unless such a situation arose.
　韓国は核実験の２日後、軍事境界線付近で、北朝鮮の体制を非難する宣伝放送を再開した。核実験が、昨年８月の南北合意で決めた放送再開の条件である「異常事態」に当たると判断したためだ。

Bitterly antagonized by the South Korean action, the North has reportedly reinforced frontline troops. All this is giving rise to aggravating hostility between the North and South.
　北朝鮮は強く反発し、軍の前線部隊を増強したとされる。南北対立は激化している。

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, first secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, is attempting to justify the nuclear test by calling it “a self-defensive measure to defend the sovereignty of the country and vital rights of the nation.” His statement is a self-righteous assertion that ignores international condemnation, and it is utterly unacceptable.
　金正恩第１書記は、核実験について、「国の自主権と民族の生存権を守る自衛的措置だ」と正当化しようとしている。国際社会の非難を顧みない独善的な主張であり、到底受け入れられない。

An array of sanctions

At the initiative of the United States, the U.N. Security Council is proceeding with work to draft a resolution aimed at imposing sanctions on North Korea. Attention is focused largely on such measures as restrictions on banking transactions involving North Korea and restraint on port calls by North Korean ships. The envisaged sanctions must be made effective enough to make North Korea pay the price for its nuclear testing.
　国連安全保障理事会では、米国が中心となって、制裁決議案作りが進んでいる。北朝鮮との銀行取引規制や船舶の入港制限の強化などが焦点になる。核実験を実施した北朝鮮に代償を払わせるため、実効性のある制裁にすべきだ。

What is important is for pertinent nations to take concerted action to reinforce sanctions against North Korea. China, a country that can exert influence on North Korea, must fully cooperate with other nations in adopting the resolution and strictly implementing it.
　大切なのは、関係国が制裁強化で足並みをそろえることである。北朝鮮に影響力のある中国は、決議案の採択と厳格な履行に全面的に協力せねばならない。

In video footage used in a recent program aired by Korean Central Television that focused on Kim, an image of Liu Yunshan — a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee — has been removed. The initial footage showed Liu attending a military parade in Pyongyang last October.
　朝鮮中央テレビが放映した金第１書記の記録映像では、昨年１０月の軍事パレードに参列した中国共産党の劉雲山政治局常務委員の姿をカットした。

There is reason to believe the deletion of Liu’s image was intended to serve as a restraining influence on China, which has denounced the recent nuclear test and is joining talks over a resolution against the North Korea.
核実験を非難し、決議案協議に関わる中国を牽制けんせいする思惑があったのではないか。

Japan, a nonpermanent member of the Security Council, should be proactively involved in promoting negotiations over the envisaged resolution. In commenting on anti-Pyongyang sanctions to be imposed by Japan on its own, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said, “Stern measures will be adopted.”
　非常任理事国である日本も、決議案協議に積極的に関与したい。安倍首相は、日本の独自制裁についても、「厳しい対応をとっていく」と表明した。

Japan, the United States and South Korea will hold a string of talks at the level of bureau chief and vice minister this week. It is important for the three nations to closely cooperate with each other to prevent North Korea from going out of control.
　日米韓は今週、外務省の局長級、次官協議を相次いで開く。３か国が緊密に連携し、北朝鮮の暴走を抑えることが重要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 13, 2016)

January 10, 2016 (Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Brain science and the human spirit
香山リカのココロの万華鏡: 脳科学と人の心　／東京

I wonder what kind of year this is going to be.
　今年はどんな年になるのだろう。

As a psychiatrist, this year is likely to be one wherein I will take a fresh look at the question of just what exactly is the human spirit.
精神科医の私にとっては、あらためて「人の心って何だろう」と考える年になりそうだ。

The advances recently made in the field of brain science have been astounding.
近年の脳科学の進歩はすさまじい。

Ohio State University announced last year that it had finally utilized pluripotent stem cells derived from human skin cells in order to culture an eraser-sized "miniature brain," which included nearly all of the genes of a 5-week-old fetus.
昨年はついに、アメリカのオハイオ州立大学で人間の皮膚細胞由来の多能性幹細胞を使って、妊娠５週の胎児の脳のほぼすべての遺伝子を持った消しゴムサイズの“ミニチュア脳”が培養されたと報じられた。

It seems clear, then, that it will become possible within a short time frame to reproduce a human brain.
おそらく近い将来、誰かの脳をもう一つ作ることも可能になるに違いない。

On second thought, however, I'll bet that before this occurs, analyses of the brain's neural networks will proceed in a manner such that people will be able to replicate their own brain on a computer.
　いや、その前に脳の神経ネットワークの解析が進み、自分の脳をそのままコンピューター上に再現することができるかもしれない。

I remember a scene from a science fiction movie where a woman was able to converse with a computer that utilized the same pattern as the brain of her dead husband. Soon, this will actually become a reality.
ＳＦ映画では「亡くなった夫の脳と同じパターンを持ったコンピューターと妻が対話する」といったシーンも出てくるが、それが間もなく現実になろうとしているのだ。

Let's imagine that this does indeed occur.
　「もしそうなったら」と想像してみよう。

A vendor providing a "replacement brain" service comes to your house, picks up skin and hair samples of your dead family member from off the floor, and takes them away.
「脳復元サービス」の業者があなたの家を訪れ、すでに世を去ったあなたの家族の皮膚や髪の毛の一部を床から拾い上げ、持ち帰る。

You later receive notification that the artificial brain is ready, and it is delivered to your home along with an attached apparatus that allows you to converse with it.
しばらくすると「完成しました」と連絡が来て、人工の脳とそれに接続された会話装置が届く。

You flip the switch, and the nostalgic voice of your relative says, "It's been a long time! Are you studying like you should be?
I know you don't like English!" Naturally, you are also able to hold conversations with the device -- meaning that you can laugh and fight with your family member just like you always did before.
スイッチを入れると「久しぶり。ちゃんと勉強してる？　あなたは英語が苦手だから」となつかしい家族の声が聞こえてくる。もちろん対話も可能。昔と同じように笑い合ったりケンカしたりすることもできる……。

Some people are likely to think, "This is amazing! I hope this will become a reality as soon as possible!"
　「すごい。早く実現しないかな」と思う人もいるかもしれない。

Many others, however, probably feel that no matter how much a particular response pattern is able to be duplicated, it could never take the place of their beloved kin.
しかし、多くの人は、「いや、いくら反応のパターンは同じでも、それは私の愛する家族ではない」と感じるのではないだろうか。

And even if one's own brain were able to be simulated via this type of service, few are those who would feel as if they had actually attained the ability to live forever.
また、そういうサービスで自分の脳が再現されたとしても「永遠の命が手に入った」と考える人は少ないはずだ。

If this is the case, then, what does it mean to exist as a particular human being?
　だとしたら「その人である」とはいったい何なのだろう。

Is it the act of possessing a body?
からだがあるということか。

This is clearly not so, since the relatives or lover of someone whose face or other bodily features had become greatly disfigured in an accident would be unlikely to conclude that the individual had suddenly become a different person.
それは違う。事故などで顔やからだが大きく損傷されても、家族や恋人は「もうあなたではない別人になった」とは思わないはずだ。

This being the case, then, it is clear that there is a deep connection between existing as an individual being human being and the fact that we have only one life -- even though no one yet possesses a definitive answer with respect to this matter.
そう考えると、「その人である」ということと「命が一度きりであること」は深く関係しているようだ。ただ、この問題についてのはっきりした答えはまだ誰も手にしていない。

Every single individual who sits with lowered eyes and sheds tears while sitting in my office possesses their own unique spirit, and is living their one unique life -- a fact in and of itself that explains the reason why we all get hurt and suffer.
　診察室でうつむく人、涙をこぼす人。みんな「自分だけの心」を持ち、「一度きりの人生」を生きているからこそ、傷ついて苦しむのだ。

This year, then, I would like to continue probing and agonizing together with all of you with respect to the following questions: What does it mean to be human? And just what is the human spirit?
「人って何だろう」「心って何だろう」。今年も迷い悩みながら、みなさんといっしょに考えていきたい。

(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
（精神科医）

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 10
EDITORIAL: Japan should not be passive bystander as tensions rise in Middle East
（社説）中東と日本　傍観者でいられない

Tensions are rising in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia and Iran are at loggerheads with each other.
　サウジアラビアとイランの対立で、中東情勢が緊迫の度を深めている。

By no means should Japan just be looking on at a time when the Middle East is standing at a doorway to further turbulence.
　中東がさらなる混迷の入り口に立っている時に、日本が傍観者でいていいはずがない。

During his New Year news conference, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe evoked the fact that Japan will assume the presidency at the Group of Seven summit this year and that Japan has become a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council.
　安倍首相は年頭の会見で、日本がことし主要国首脳会議の議長国であることや、国連安全保障理事会の非常任理事国であることにふれ、こう強調した。

“(The year 2016) will be a year in which Japan’s diplomacy will lead the world,” Abe emphasized in that context. “I intend for Japan to lead the world by looking squarely at the future with a global perspective and laying out the most appropriate road map in order to foster peace and prosperity in the region and around the world.”
　「日本外交が世界を引っ張っていく１年となる」「地域や世界の平和と繁栄のために、グローバルな視点に立って将来を見据え、最も適切な道筋を示すことにより、世界をリードしていきたい」

We sincerely hope that those words will be fulfilled. And there is one thing we want Abe to do exactly for that reason.
　言葉通りであって欲しい、と切に願う。だからこそ、ここで首相に求めたいことがある。

We want him to make sure that Japan will exercise its diplomatic potential in averting a conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, just as it will respond to the recent nuclear test by North Korea.
　北朝鮮の核実験への対応と同様に、サウジとイランの紛争回避に向けても、日本外交の力を発揮してもらいたいのだ。

During last year’s Diet deliberations on the security legislation, Abe cited potential deployment of the Self-Defense Forces to minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz as a concrete example of the ways Japan will be exercising its right to collective self-defense.
　昨年の安保法制をめぐる国会審議で首相は、ホルムズ海峡での機雷掃海への自衛隊派遣を集団的自衛権行使の具体例として挙げた。

But minesweeping operations will only become necessary after a conflict has erupted.
　だが機雷除去の必要が出てくるのは、あくまで紛争が起きてしまった後の話である。

Diplomatic efforts to prevent the breakout of a conflict are the most needed at present to face the crisis that is unfolding before our eyes.
　目の前の危機に立ち向かうため、いま何よりも求められるのは、紛争が起きる前に止める外交努力にほかならない。

Along with supporting the arbitration efforts by the United States, European nations and other parties, Japan should also work with the global community in trying to find out what could be done at this moment.
　日本も、米欧を中心とした仲介努力を支えるとともに、いま何ができるのか。知恵を絞って国際社会と協調したい。

Japan possesses a diplomatic asset, which allows it to hold a dialogue, under a certain level of mutual trust, with Saudi Arabia and other Arab states, Israel and Iran, despite the historically entangled relations between the three parties.
　歴史的に複雑な関係にある、サウジなどアラブ諸国やイスラエル、イランのいずれとも一定の信頼関係の下で対話ができることは、日本外交の資産だ。

Unlike the United States and European nations, Japan has so far applied the brakes on using force overseas. We could now make the most of the confidence in Japan, which has played an original role in nonmilitary, humanitarian aid that is intended to stabilize the livelihood of Middle Eastern people.
　米欧と異なるのは、日本がこれまで海外での武力行使に歯止めをかけてきたことだ。中東の人々の暮らしの安定をはかる非軍事の人道支援で独自の役割を果たしてきた日本への信頼を、ここで生かせないか。

We should not forget that participation of the SDF in logistical support operations for foreign troops, which will become feasible under the new security legislation, could rather undermine Japan’s moral high ground.
　留意すべきは、安保法制で可能になる他国軍の後方支援活動に自衛隊が加わることは、日本の強みをかえって失わせかねないことである。

Military strength and geographical distance matter in military action. But nonmilitary diplomacy of arbitration is feasible even without strong military power or in far-flung areas.
　軍事的な行動は、軍事力の大小や地理的な遠近が影響する。だが非軍事の仲介外交なら、強大な軍事力がなくても、距離が遠い地域でも力は発揮できる。

Seeking a way to avert a conflict in a peaceful manner on the basis of the diplomatic asset that Japan has accumulated over the postwar years would be the best way for Abe to live up to the promises of “diplomacy that takes a panoramic perspective of the globe” and “proactive pacifism”--both being the prime minister’s pet slogans--in the real sense of those terms.
　戦後日本が積み重ねてきた外交的資産のうえに、平和的な紛争回避の可能性を探る。
　それこそが真の意味での「地球儀を俯瞰（ふかん）する外交」「積極的平和主義」の名にふさわしい。

Seldom do we believe there is any easy approach to doing so. But that is the sort of diplomacy that Japan should be seeking as a pacifist nation.
　容易な道だとは思わない。ただ、平和国家日本のあるべき外交の姿はそこにある。