英字新聞
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The Yomiuri Shimbun
China’s self-justified stance won’t help build major-power relations
米中首脳会談　「独善」で大国関係は築けない

It will be impossible for China to build what it calls a “new type of great power relations” with the United States as long as it continues to challenge international order through self-justified conduct.
　中国が独善的行動で国際秩序に挑戦し続ける限り、自らが望む米国との「新しいタイプの大国関係」は構築できまい。

Chinese President Xi Jinping is making an official visit to the United States and held talks with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington.
　中国の習近平国家主席が米国を公式訪問し、ワシントンでオバマ大統領と会談した。

Obama expressed “very serious concerns” about Chinese cyber-attacks on U.S. corporations and citizens, and demanded Xi ensure a halt to such activities.
　オバマ氏は、米企業や国民への中国発のサイバー攻撃に対して、「非常に深刻な懸念」を表明し、習氏に停止を要求した。

With a presidential election scheduled for next year, U.S. public opinion is increasingly harsh on China. It seems that Obama had to adopt an even more critical stance on China.
　大統領選挙を来年に控えた米国では、対中世論が硬化している。オバマ氏も一層厳しい姿勢を示さざるを得なかったのだろう。

The two leaders agreed that their countries would not conduct or support cyberattacks to steal trade secrets and other confidential information. They also agreed to initiate a ministerial-level dialogue.
　両首脳は、企業秘密などを盗み出すサイバー攻撃を実行、支援しないことでは一致した。閣僚級対話の創設でも合意した。

The question is whether this agreement will be followed by action. The international community must pay close attention to whether the mutual agreement will be truly honored by China, which has denied involvement in cyber-attacks.
　問われるのは実際の行動だ。攻撃への関与を否定する中国が合意を本当に順守するのか、国際社会は注視しなければならない。

The two leaders’ talks led to no agreement on the issue regarding China’s reef reclamation activities in the South China Sea.
　中国が南シナ海で岩礁を埋め立てている問題を巡って、両首脳の議論は平行線に終わった。

At a joint press conference following the talks, Obama warned the Chinese leader on the issue. “The United States will continue to sail, fly and operate anywhere that international law allows,” he said. Xi, however, stood his ground firmly, insisting, “We have the right to uphold our own territorial sovereignty and lawful and legitimate maritime rights and interests.”
　オバマ氏は会談後の共同記者会見で、「米国は国際法が許す場所ではどこでも、航行や飛行、軍事行動を継続する」とクギを刺した。習氏は「領土主権と、合法的で正当な海洋権益を守る権利がある」と強弁し、譲らなかった。

Arbitrary policy management

It has recently been found that China is building 3,000-meter runways on three of the reclaimed islands. If these facilities are completed, a vast expanse of waters in the South China Sea could, in effect, come under Chinese control, according to some experts.
　最近、中国が埋め立てた岩礁の３か所で３０００メートル級の滑走路を建設していることが判明した。完成すれば、南シナ海の広大な海域が中国の事実上の支配下に入る可能性も指摘されている。

China’s bid to change the status quo by force cannot be overlooked. The United States needs to join hands with Japan and other pertinent countries in urging China to exercise self-restraint in this respect. If China wants an equal relationship with the United States and a position as a major power in the international community, it should fulfill its share of responsibility for securing regional stability.
　中国の力による現状変更は看過できない。米国は、日本など関係国と連携して、中国に自制を促す必要がある。中国が米国との対等な関係や国際社会での大国としての地位を望むなら、地域の安定に相応の責任を果たすべきだ。

In making an official visit to the United States, Xi signed a contract for a huge purchase of 300 passenger airplanes with Boeing Co. It was evident that he tried to use the deal as leverage for wooing and winning over the U.S. business community.
　習氏の訪米に合わせて、中国は米ボーイング社から旅客機３００機を購入する大型契約を結んだ。経済カードで米財界を懐柔し、取り込む狙いが明白である。

However, the United States has a deepening distrust of China’s arbitrary policy management, which can be illustrated by its market intervention aimed at maintaining stock prices and the devaluation of the yuan.
　だが、株価維持の市場介入や人民元切り下げなどに見られる中国の恣意しい的な政策運営に、米国は不信感を強めている。

At the press conference, Xi emphasized that China would attach importance to market principles. “There is no basis for the renminbi to be devalued for a long period,” he said. We hope the Chinese president will be as good as his word to carry out highly transparent reforms in accordance with international rules.
　習氏は記者会見で、「長期的には人民元を切り下げる根拠はない」と述べ、市場原理を重視する考えを強調した。その言葉通り、国際ルールに則のっとった透明性の高い改革を推進してもらいたい。

The two leaders reconfirmed their nations would increase cooperation in addressing climate change-related problems. Climate change may be one of the few areas in which the two countries can facilitate a cooperative relationship. China and the United States — the world’s largest and second-largest greenhouse gas emitters — should make steady progress in reducing their emissions.
　気候変動問題に関して、両首脳は協力強化を改めて確認した。協調を打ち出せる数少ない分野の一つではないか。温室効果ガス排出量の世界１、２位の中国と米国は着実に削減を進めるべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 27, 2015)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Consumers betrayed by VW’s scheme to evade controls on vehicle emissions
ＶＷ排ガス不正　顧客を欺く大規模な規制逃れ

Despite being touted as “clean diesel” cars, Volkswagen vehicles were found to have discharged emissions that far exceeded the required environmental standards.
　「クリーンディーゼル車」と銘打ちながら、環境基準を大幅に超える排ガスを出していた。

This act betrayed consumers who are strongly concerned about environmental conservation and was extremely pernicious.
　環境保護意識の高い消費者を欺いた行為は、極めて悪質である。

It was recently revealed that the German carmaker had taken illegal measures to ensure its vehicles passed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s emission control tests.
　独フォルクスワーゲン（ＶＷ）が、米環境保護局（ＥＰＡ）の排ガス規制を違法にクリアしていたことが発覚した。

The scheme involved software installed in diesel engines that was designed to make vehicles’ emission levels meet the standard required by the U.S. authorities — but only at the time of the emissions test.
　ディーゼル車の排ガス試験の際、エンジンに搭載したソフトウェアを作動させることにより、基準値を満たすように細工していた。

When the vehicles were driven on the road, the engines were reportedly found to discharge nitrogen oxide at levels up to 40 times the standard.
実際に道路を走行すると、基準値の最大４０倍の窒素酸化物などを排出していたという。

Eleven million Volkswagen vehicles around the world have been affected by the test-rigging scandal. This includes a number of popular models, including the Golf.
　対象車数は世界で１１００万台に上る。ゴルフなどの人気車種も数多く含まれている。

In announcing his resignation to take responsibility for the scandal, Volkswagen Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn said, “I am stunned that misconduct on such a scale was possible in the Volkswagen group.” We have to say that Volkswagen lacks corporate governance despite its status as a world-leading carmaker.
　引責辞任するマーティン・ウインターコーン最高経営責任者は「これほどの規模の不正が行われていたとは信じられない」と語った。有数のメーカーでありながら、ガバナンス（企業統治）が欠如していると言わざるを得ない。

Were company executives involved in the irregularities? We want the factors behind the misconduct to be thoroughly revealed by investigations by the EPA and others.
　経営陣は不正に関与していなかったのか。ＥＰＡなどによる調査で、不正の経緯を徹底的に解明してもらいたい。

VW has Audi, Porsche and other carmakers under its wing. With fuel-efficient diesel vehicles as its mainstay product, VW doubled its global car sales to 10 million in the decade from 2004, thereby bringing it into competition with Toyota Motor Corp. for the No. 1 position in the world.
　ＶＷは、アウディ、ポルシェなどのメーカーを傘下に抱える。燃費の良いディーゼル車を主力に据え、２００４年からの１０年間で世界の販売台数を１０００万台に倍増させた。今やトヨタ自動車と首位を競う規模に躍進した。

Heavy price to pay

However, the German maker has been forced to fight an uphill battle in the U.S. market, where strict emission controls are in place and there is strong competition from hybrid vehicles manufactured by Toyota and other carmakers. VW’s irritation over this, it could be said, led to the wrongdoing.
　だが、排ガス規制の厳しい米市場では、トヨタのハイブリッド車などに押され、苦戦を強いられている。ＶＷの焦りが、不正につながったと言える。

VW may be fined up to $18 billion (about ¥2 trillion), which would top its annual profits. The price for its misconduct is very heavy.
　ＶＷには、年間の利益を上回る最大１８０億ドル（約２兆円）の制裁金が科される可能性がある。違法行為の重いツケである。

VW’s diesel vehicles are not officially sold in Japan, although they were scheduled to enter the market next year. The company will inevitably have to reexamine its sales strategy.
　日本では、ＶＷのディーゼル車は正規販売されていないが、来年にも投入される予定だった。販売戦略の見直しは避けられまい。

The European Commission, which is the executive body of the European Union, called for its member nations to conduct a fact-finding survey based on suspicions that carmakers other than VW have also engaged in misconduct. The automobile industry, which holds a key position in each country in which it conducts business, is being tested on its ability to cleanse itself of wrongdoing.
　欧州連合の執行機関、欧州委員会は、ＶＷ以外のメーカーでも不正の疑いがあるとして、加盟国に実態調査を求めた。各国で基幹産業と位置付けられる自動車業界も、自浄能力を試される時だ。

Fierce competition for fuel efficiency among car manufacturers could be behind the VW scandal. Consumers have a strong tendency to choose vehicles that perform even just a little better than others in terms of fuel efficiency. Moreover, many people have pointed out that even in Japan, there is a huge difference between the fuel efficiency figures in product catalogs and what is actually seen in normal use, which causes confusion.
　今回の問題の背景には、メーカー間の激しい燃費競争もあろう。消費者には、少しでも燃費の良い車を求める傾向が強い。日本でもカタログ表記の燃費と実際の走行時の数値の差が大きく、混乱を招いているとの指摘が多い。

A sincere attitude is needed on the part of carmakers to provide consumers with accurate information.
　メーカーに求められているのは、正確な情報を消費者に伝える真摯しんしな姿勢である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 26, 2015)

大切なのは、威勢のよい発言ではなく、地に足のついた目標と、対策の着実な実行である。そのためにも、アベノミクス「第１ステージ」の総括が欠かせないはずだ。
日本銀行による異次元緩和や政府の補正予算編成の功罪を検証し、予想されるリスクを分析する。これまでの成果として政権は雇用や賃金の指標が好転していることを強調するが、国民に実感が乏しいのはなぜか。アベノミクスの成否を左右すると位置づけてきた成長戦略の方向性は間違っていないか。
個別の政策についても同様だ。介護では、政府は財政難から特別養護老人ホームなど施設の建設に一定の歯止めをかけ、在宅介護を中心にすえている。介護職員の不足が深刻さを増すなかで、年１０万人とされる介護離職者をどうやってゼロにしていくのか。
国民が聞きたいのは言葉ではない。実現可能な具体策と、財源などその裏付けである。

二兎を追う者は一兎をも得ず！
選手交代の時期到来です。
解散総選挙する前に、違憲状態にある現在の選挙制度を改革してください。
地方区はなくして全国国1本化するしか解決方法がないのは、子供でも理解できることです。
全国から人物本位で選べるようにしたらよい。


The Yomiuri Shimbun
Abe administration must focus on 'economy-first' policy priorities
安倍総裁続投　「経済最優先」に軸足を戻せ

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s basic stance of shifting the focus of his policy platform from the nation’s security to the economy revitalization is reasonable.
　政策の軸足を安全保障から経済再生に移す。そうした安倍首相の基本方針は妥当である。

After being formally reelected as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the prime minister on Thursday held a news conference. He declared, “The nation is close to coming out of deflation,” emphasizing his intention to place maximum priority on economic policies.
　首相が、自民党総裁再選の正式決定を受けて、記者会見した。今後の政権運営について、「デフレ脱却はもう目の前だ」と語り、経済政策を最優先する考えを示した。

He also indicated to increase the nation’s annual nominal gross national product to ¥600 trillion, compared to ¥490 trillion in fiscal 2014.
　昨年度は４９０兆円だった名目国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）を６００兆円に増やす目標も掲げた。

Fulfilling his ¥600 trillion target will most likely be difficult to achieve. As seen by the GDP’s negative growth rate in real terms for the April-June period compared to the previous quarter, the recovery pace has made little headway. Although the major companies have posted favorable business results, the performances of small and midsize businesses and the degree of vitalization of regional economies have shown limited progress.
　ＧＤＰ６００兆円という目標の達成は、簡単ではあるまい。４～６月期の実質ＧＤＰが前期比マイナスとなるなど、景気回復は足踏みしている。大企業の決算は好調だが、中小企業の業績改善や地方活性化はまだ限定的である。

Of the “three arrows” of the Abenomics economic policy package, bold monetary relaxation and ramping up fiscal measures have produced such positive results as rectifying the yen’s excessively high appreciation and helping boost stock prices. However, the other arrow — growth strategy — has yet to produce any tangible outcome.
　経済政策「アベノミクス」の３本の矢のうち、金融緩和と財政出動は、円高是正、株高などの成果を上げた。反面、成長戦略は目に見える結果を出していない。

Since the spring of last year, the Abe administration has placed particular emphasis on getting legislation passed to secure the country’s peace and security. The enactment of the security legislation can be said to have provided Abe’s new term with a good opportunity to return to the starting line at the time of the inauguration of the Second Abe Cabinet, which pledged to put economy at the top of its list of priorities.
　安倍政権は昨春以降、平和安全法制の整備に力点を置いてきた。安全保障関連法の成立は、経済最優先という第２次政権発足時の原点に立ち返る好機と言える。

In the second phase of Abenomics, the government must buckle down primarily to the tasks of strengthening up the growth strategy, such as by reforming tough regulations in the fields of medical services, agriculture and labor, as well as expanding infrastructure exports.
　アベノミクスの第２段階では、医療、農業、労働分野の岩盤規制の改革やインフラ輸出の拡大など、成長戦略の強化に重点的に取り組む必要がある。

Hike wages, cut workload

At the news conference, Abe announced new “three arrows” to steer the administration’s economic policy: a combination of creating an “economy robust enough to nurture hopes of the public,” “dream-inspiring support for child-rearing” and “reassuring improvement of social security services.”
　首相は、「希望を生み出す強い経済」「夢をつむぐ子育て支援」「安心につながる社会保障」を新たな３本の矢と位置づけた。

The newly defined tasks are quite different qualitatively from the initial three arrows, but the concentration on social security is understandable.
　最初の３本の矢とはかなり性格が異なるが、社会保障を重視する姿勢は理解できる。

Regarding social security policy, the prime minister has hammered out a new goal of “reducing to zero the number of people who quit their jobs to provide nursing care.” Through such steps as increasing special nursing homes, the Abe administration will reduce the number of people waiting to enter such nursing facilities, who are required care at level 3 or higher on a scale of 5 nursing care requirements — which currently stands at about 150,000 — to zero by 2020.
　首相は、社会保障政策に関し、「介護離職ゼロ」という新たな目標を打ち出した。特別養護老人ホームを大幅に増やすことなどで、「要介護３」以上の特養ホーム入所待機者約１５万人を、２０２０年までにゼロにするという。

The number of people, most of whom are in their 40s and 50s, who quit their jobs to provide nursing care has reportedly reached about 100,000 per year. Ensuring people in their most productive years remain among the working population must be helpful for the growth strategy.
　親の介護目的の離職者は、４０、５０歳代を中心に年１０万人に上るとされる。働き盛りの労働力の確保は成長戦略にも役立とう。

The task of building special nursing homes will require a huge amount of financial resources. The task should be undertaken in a coordinated manner with the expansion of nursing care at homes which social security expenditures will reduce. To secure personnel necessary for proper nursing care services, measures must be taken to rectify low wages and the heavy workloads.
　特養ホーム増設は巨額の財源を要する。社会保障費の抑制につながる在宅介護の拡充とバランスを取りつつ、進めたい。必要な介護人材を確保するため、低賃金・重労働も是正せねばなるまい。

It is also important to make it easier for workers to obtain temporary absence from work and temporary paid leave for nursing care purposes. The percentage of those obtaining temporary absence for nursing care is currently no more than 3.2 percent. The statutory rule that allows those who need a temporary leave to utilize the system only once, in principle, per person in need for nursing care constitutes a major obstacle in this respect.
　介護休業・休暇を取りやすくすることも重要だ。介護休業の取得率は３・２％に過ぎない。要介護者１人につき原則１回しか取れないことが高いハードルである。

The government is now considering a revision to a law to allow people to take temporary leave more than once. While securing understanding and cooperation from companies, reform efforts should be made to turn the current system into one that is easier to use.
　政府は、複数回の取得を可能にする法改正を検討している。企業の理解と協力を得ながら、利用しやすい仕組みに改革すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 25, 2015)Speech

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Quick action needed in dealing with side effects of cervical cancer vaccine
子宮頸がん　ワクチンの副作用対策を急げ

The most important task is to clarify any cause and effect relationship between the vaccinations and the side effects.
　ワクチン接種と副作用の因果関係を解明することが、何より重要だ。

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry recently delivered to an expert panel the results of a follow-up survey on patients who experienced negative side effects from a cervical cancer vaccine.
　子宮頸けいがんワクチンの副作用問題で、厚生労働省が、患者の追跡調査結果を有識者検討会に報告した。

The ministry’s report confirmed 186 people had not returned to full health and were still suffering from serious side effects. In response to this finding, the panel decided to put off resuming recommending that people receive the vaccination. This recommendation has been suspended since June 2013.
　１８６人が「未回復」の状態と判明し、深刻な副作用が残ることが確認された。これを受け、検討会は、２０１３年６月以降、控えてきたワクチン接種の勧奨について、再開の見送りを決めた。

The panel had no option on this matter, given that the cause of the side effects has yet to be pinpointed.
　原因が究明されていないことを考えれば、やむを得まい。

About 3.38 million women received the vaccination from December 2009, when the vaccine went on the market, to November 2014. The survey covered 2,584 of these women who reported suffering some sort of symptoms. The survey was able to confirm developments in the cases of 1,739 women.
　調査では、０９年１２月のワクチン発売から１４年１１月までに接種を受けた約３３８万人の女性のうち、何らかの症状が報告された２５８４人を追跡調査した。経過が確認できたのは１７３９人だった。

The proportion of people who reported side effects is not remarkably high compared with rates in other nations, where such vaccinations are being increasingly widely done.
　副作用報告の割合は、接種が拡大している海外に比べて、格段に高いわけではない。

However, a significant number of specialists have said that Japan is conspicuous for patients suffering from comparatively severe symptoms. The various ongoing symptoms include headaches, fatigue, aching joints and a decline in cognitive function. These are serious health issues.
　しかし、日本では、比較的症状の重い患者が目立つと指摘する専門家が相当数いる。頭痛や倦怠けんたい感、関節痛、認知機能の低下など、症状は様々で、深刻だ。

There were limits to how much data could be gleaned from this survey, which was based mostly on information these patients reported to doctors who treated them. There needs to be a detailed examination of the diagnoses and treatments given to these patients, as well as a comparative review of the health conditions of women in the same age brackets who did not receive the vaccinations, and other factors.
　主に医師の報告データに基づく今回の調査には限界がある。患者の詳細な診断、治療に加え、接種歴のない同世代女子の体調などとの比較検討も求められる。

Reducing distrust vital

The health ministry will establish consultation counters in every prefecture and strengthen support provided to the victims, including treatment. It also has kicked into gear a stalled review of relief provided to people who suffered health problems.
　厚労省は、相談窓口を全都道府県に設け、治療などの支援を強化する。滞っていた健康被害救済の審査も本格化させた。

It is impossible to reduce the risk accompanying a vaccination to zero. Advanced nations such as the United States and those in Europe have set up systems to quickly pay compensation when there are suspicions a vaccination has caused negative side effects. If the government takes a long time to provide relief, distrust would grow among patients and hamper steps to prevent infectious diseases from spreading.
　ワクチン接種のリスクは、ゼロにできない。欧米先進国は、副作用の疑いがあれば、速やかに補償する制度を設けている。救済に長期間を要するようでは、患者たちに不信が増大し、感染症対策に支障を来すためだ。

We think such relief measures should be swiftly put in place in Japan, too.
　日本も救済を急ぎたい。

The number of women in Japan with cervical cancer is increasing, with about 10,000 developing the disease each year. About 3,000 die from it annually.
　国内では子宮頸がん患者が増加し、年間約１万人が発症している。死亡者は約３０００人に上る。

The cervical cancer vaccine is said to prevent the virus that causes the cancer from being transmitted from men to women through sexual relations. In Australia, such a vaccine is administered to both males and females during routine immunizations.
　子宮頸がんワクチンは、性交渉により、男性から女性に原因ウイルスが感染するのを防ぐ効果が期待されている。豪州では、男女両方が定期接種の対象だ。

Although the vaccine is currently not promoted in Japan, the system in place includes it among routine vaccinations for women. People wishing to receive the vaccine can have it subsidized by the government, but clearly the current situation does not enable them to take the vaccine with peace of mind.
　国内でも現在、勧奨はしていないものの、女性を対象にした定期接種の制度が設けられている。希望者は公的な助成を得られるが、安心して接種を受けられる状況にないのは明らかだろう。

Having regular checkups is important for detecting cervical cancer at an early stage. However, this does not contribute to preventing the disease, so the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and other bodies have stressed the significance of the inoculations.
　子宮頸がんの早期発見には、定期検診を受診することが重要である。ただし、予防にはつながらず、日本産科婦人科学会などは接種の意義を訴えている。

Reducing distrust in the vaccine will be a major prerequisite for achieving this. The health ministry must move fast on this issue.
　そのためには、ワクチン不信の軽減が大前提だ。厚労省は対応を急がねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 24, 2015)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Tenacious talks with Russia key to ending impasse in territorial dispute
日露外相会談　領土対立打開へ対話を重ねよ

Russia’s hard-line stance toward the northern territories has become more conspicuous. Nevertheless, the only way to improve Japan-Russia relations is for politicians of the two countries to hold talks tenaciously and repeatedly.
　北方領土問題に関するロシアの強硬姿勢がより鮮明になった。それでも、日露関係の改善には、政治家間の対話を粘り強く重ねるしかあるまい。

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Monday in Moscow and protested a recent series of visits by the Russian prime minister and cabinet ministers to the northern territories, saying, “Their visits are extremely regrettable and not acceptable.” Lavrov reportedly refuted this by saying, “Russia has its own standpoint.”
　岸田外相がモスクワで、ラブロフ外相と会談し、ロシアの首相や閣僚の相次ぐ北方領土訪問について「極めて遺憾で、受け入れられない」と抗議した。ラブロフ氏は「ロシアにはロシアの立場がある」などと反論した。

On the other hand, Kishida and Lavrov agreed “to explore ways to a solution acceptable to both sides.” They also agreed to resume vice-ministerial-level talks early next month — for the first time in one year and nine months — regarding the conclusion of a peace treaty. The two countries will reportedly seek to hold talks between their top leaders and foreign ministers on the sidelines of international conferences.
　一方で、「双方に受け入れ可能な解決策を模索する」ことでは一致した。来月上旬に次官級の平和条約交渉を１年９か月ぶりに再開することでも合意した。今後は、国際会議などの場で首脳や外相の対話を継続するという。

Negotiations on the peace treaty have been suspended following sanctions imposed by Japan on Russia in connection with the Ukrainian situation and Russia’s retaliatory steps. We cannot expect immediate results, but we appreciate the fact that the two countries agreed to resume talks.
　平和条約交渉は、ウクライナ情勢に基づく日本の対露制裁や露側の対抗措置に伴い、中断していた。すぐに成果は期待できないが、交渉再開自体は評価したい。

Kishida, who had postponed his visit to Russia, told Lavrov during the meeting, “Because there are issues pending between us, it’s all the more important to hold talks repeatedly.” His assertion is understandable.
　訪露を延期してきた岸田氏は会談で、「問題があるからこそ、対話を重ねていくことが重要だ」と強調した。理解できる主張だ。

However, the two countries stand far apart in their positions on the territorial dispute.
　ただ、領土問題を巡る日露の立場の隔たりは大きい。

During a joint news conference after the meeting, Lavrov said: “We didn’t discuss the northern territories. The agenda of the talks was the conclusion of a peace treaty.”
　ラブロフ氏は会談後の共同記者会見で、「北方領土については協議しなかった。議題は平和条約の締結だった」と語った。

Illogical argument

It cannot be overlooked, however, that Lavrov tried to justify the illegal occupation of the northern territories for 70 years and make it a fait accompli by saying “the reality of postwar history should be recognized.”
　看過できないのは、ラブロフ氏が「戦後の歴史の現実を認識すべきだ」と述べ、７０年に及ぶ北方領土の不法占拠を正当化し、既成事実化しようとしていることだ。

A joint statement issued by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2013 called for holding negotiations on a peace treaty based on all accords adopted by the two countries, including the Irkutsk Statement that specified efforts toward a solution to the sovereignty issue over the four islands off Hokkaido. In this sense, Lavrov’s argument is illogical.
　安倍首相とプーチン大統領による２０１３年の日露共同声明は、北方４島の帰属問題解決を明記した「イルクーツク声明」など、両国が採択した全合意に基づき、条約交渉を進めるとうたっている。ラブロフ氏の発言は筋違いだ。

It seems that Russia wants to draw concessions from Japan, such as the lifting of sanctions and economic cooperation, by swaying Japan through hard-line and moderate approaches.
　露側には、日本を硬軟両様で揺さぶり、制裁解除や経済協力を引き出したい思惑があるようだ。

Russia’s economy has been deteriorating due to economic sanctions imposed by the United States and European countries and the decline in crude oil prices. Russian expectations on Japan, it may be said, are reflected by the fact that Igor Shuvalov, first vice premier in charge of economic affairs, conferred with Kishida.
　米欧の経済制裁や原油価格下落などの影響で、国内経済は悪化している。経済担当のシュワロフ第１副首相が岸田氏と会談したのも露側の期待の表れと言えよう。

A focal point for the time being is whether Putin’s visit to Japan can be realized before the end of this year.
　当面の焦点は、プーチン氏の年内来日の行方である。

Japan is forward-looking in regard to Putin’s visit. But even if it is realized, it will come to nothing if meaningful talks are not held. It may end up merely disrupting the unity of the Group of Seven industrialized countries on anti-Russia sanctions.
　日本側は前向きだが、来日が実現しても、中身のある会談ができなければ、意味がない。対露制裁に関する先進７か国（Ｇ７）の結束を乱すだけになりかねない。

Does Putin have the resolve and ability to earnestly tackle the tasks of repairing relations with Japan and proceeding with a solution to the territorial issue? The Japanese government must deal with the matter carefully after seeing Russian responses. Strategic negotiating capabilities are called for in this regard.
　プーチン氏は、対日関係の修復と領土問題の前進に本気で取り組む意思と能力があるのか。日本政府は、露側の出方を見極めつつ、慎重に対処しなければなるまい。戦略的な交渉力が求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 23, 2015)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Drinking, smoking ban should stay when age of majority is lowered to 18
飲酒喫煙の年齢　１８歳解禁は理解を得られない

Reducing the age of majority would affect various fields. It is essential to look into the advisability of meticulously revising relevant laws one by one.
　「大人」になる年齢の見直しは、様々な分野に影響が及ぶ。根拠となる法律ごとに、改正の是非を丁寧に検討することが重要である。

The Liberal Democratic Party has put together recommendations to lower the age of majority set at 20 under the Civil Code to 18. The ruling party will report the recommendations to the government by the end of this month.
　自民党が、民法で２０歳と定めている成人年齢を１８歳に引き下げるよう求める提言をまとめた。月内にも政府に提出する。

The move is in response to the enactment of the revised Public Offices Election Law under which the voting age has been lowered to 18. The age for exercising the right to vote should correspond to the age of eligibility for other rights and the obligation to take responsibility under the Civil Code.
　改正公職選挙法の成立で、選挙権年齢が２０歳以上から１８歳以上に引き下げられることを受けたものだ。選挙権を行使する年齢と、民事上の権利や責任が生じる年齢は一致させるべきだろう。

If the age of majority is lowered to 18, it will become possible to take out loans and enter other commercial contracts without parental approval. Efforts must be made to promote consumer education at school and with other programs to prevent young people from falling victim to illegal business practices.
　成人年齢が１８歳になると、親の同意なしに、ローンなど商取引の契約が結べるようになる。悪徳商法の被害に遭わないよう、学校での消費者教育の充実など、環境整備を進めることが欠かせない。

The LDP has postponed a decision on whether to lower the legal age for drinking and smoking.
　飲酒や喫煙を解禁する年齢については、結論を先送りした。

Initially, the party tried to come up with a proposal to permit drinking and smoking from the age of 18 but kicked the plan down the road in the face of opposition from within the party and the medical world. The postponement is quite natural.
　当初、１８歳から認める案をまとめようとしたが、党内や医療関係者などから、反対論が続出したためだ。当然だろう。

If smoking starts early in adolescence, it increases the risk of lung cancer and heart disease, according to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry. The Japan Medical Association warns that habitual smoking by those aged less than 20 adversely affects brain growth and leads to early onset of dementia and other diseases.
　厚生労働省によると、青少年期に喫煙を始めると、肺がんや心疾患にかかるリスクが大きくなる。日本医師会は、２０歳未満の喫煙習慣が脳の発育にも悪影響を与え、認知症などの早期発症につながる恐れがあると警告している。

Adverse health impacts

Furthermore, the younger one starts drinking, the higher the risk of suffering from alcoholism, according to experts.
　酒を飲み始める年齢が早いほど、アルコール依存症になる確率が高まるとも指摘される。

Considering the possible adverse health effects, lowering the age for permitting smoking and drinking will never obtain social understanding.
　健康面への影響を踏まえれば、解禁年齢の引き下げは到底、社会の理解を得られまい。

How to rein in social welfare spending amid dire fiscal straits is a huge challenge. From this point of view, too, no policy change that would entail an increase in medical spending should be made.
　厳しい財政状況の中、社会保障費をどう抑制するかが、大きな課題だ。その観点からも、将来的に医療費の増大を招くような制度変更はすべきでない。

Drinking and smoking can also lead to juvenile delinquency. Moreover, student guidance at high school would become confused if students aged 18, who are allowed to drink and smoke, and those aged 17 attended the same school. Lowering the legal age for drinking and smoking would also make it more difficult for schools to give guidance to students under school rules that ban such behavior.
　飲酒や喫煙は、非行の引き金になる危険をはらむ。酒やたばこが許される１８歳の生徒と、そうでない１７歳の生徒が混在すれば、高校の生徒指導は混乱する。法律で認められれば、校則で禁止しても限界があるのではないか。

Concerning the minimum age for application of the Juvenile Law, the LDP has proposed lowering it from “less than 20” to “less than 18.”
　一方、少年法の適用年齢に関し、自民党は、２０歳未満から１８歳未満への引き下げを提言した。

To encourage rehabilitation for those aged 18 and 19 who will be excluded from the application of the Juvenile Law if the age of application is lowered, the party has called for implementing such probational measures as provided for by the Juvenile Law by prioritizing correctional education over punishment. This recommendation is reasonable.
　更生を促すため、対象から外れる１８歳と１９歳に、刑罰より矯正教育を重視する少年法上の保護処分のような措置を講じることも求めた。妥当な内容だ。

Sending teenage violators to reformatories where correctional education is provided or placing them on probation to give them chances for rehabilitation in society is greatly helpful in preventing juvenile recidivism. If the age for application of the Juvenile Law is lowered to “less than 18,” it will be necessary to deepen discussions about when to apply probational measures to those aged 18 and 19.
　矯正教育を行う少年院への送致や、社会内で立ち直りを図る保護観察の処分が、少年の再犯防止に果たす役割は小さくない。引き下げを前提に、どのようなケースで１８歳や１９歳に保護的措置を適用するのか、議論を深めたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 22, 2015)