英字新聞

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2010年09月

Depend on China at your peril

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 30, 2010)
Depend on China at your peril
対日経済圧力 中国リスク回避へ分散化図れ(9月29日付・読売社説)

China is piling economic pressure on Japan following the collision this month between a Chinese fishing boat and two Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels in Japanese waters near the Senkaku Islands.
 尖閣諸島沖での中国漁船衝突事件を巡り、中国が経済問題で対日圧力を強めている。

China effectively has limited exports of rare earth minerals, which are vital for manufacturing hybrid cars, energy-efficient electrical appliances and other products. Some Chinese customhouses have reportedly cranked up inspections of other goods exported to and imported from Japan, resulting in delayed shipments between the two countries.
 ハイブリッド車や省エネ家電などに不可欠なレアアース(希土類)の対日輸出を事実上制限しているほか、税関当局が通関手続きを厳しくするなどして、日本との輸出入業務が遅れる事態が生じている。

Officially, the Chinese government has denied ordering this crackdown. However, China is clearly attempting to unsettle Japan. China's actions make a mockery of international economic rules. We think China should immediately retract its retaliatory measures.
 中国政府は表向き、指示を否定している。だが、日本に揺さぶりをかけているのは明らかだ。国際的な経済ルールから見て、大いに問題がある。中国は、こうした報復的措置を直ちに撤回しなければならない。

Japan imports 90 percent of its rare earths from China. Industries that depend on these minerals are increasingly anxious about the slowdown in customs clearance procedures.
 日本はレアアースの9割を中国から輸入しており、手続きが停滞していることに関連業界は不安を募らせている。

Actions trump words

China has claimed that it has not banned exports of rare earths. However, officials at several Japanese trading houses said the issuance of customs documents needed to approve exports has been halted.
 中国側は日本に対し、「レアアースの輸出は禁止していない」と説明しているが、複数の日系商社は「輸出承諾書の発給は停止状態だ」と指摘する。

A China ban on exports of rare earths only to Japan would violate World Trade Organization rules. The Japanese government must immediately investigate this worrying situation and demand an explanation from China on why customs clearance procedures have been held up.
 中国が日本だけに輸出を禁止すれば、世界貿易機関(WTO)協定に違反するのは明白だ。日本政府は、早急に実態を調査し、手続きの遅れについて中国側に説明を求めるべきだ。

At the same time, the government must do more to secure other rare earths production centers to ensure this nation has a stable supply of the minerals, promote research and development of rare earths substitutes and find ways to recycle the minerals.
 同時に、レアアースの調達先の多様化や代替品の研究開発、リサイクルなどへの取り組みを急ぐ必要もあろう。

Many Japanese companies, mainly those in the textile, auto and electrical appliance industries, have shifted their manufacturing bases to China, where labor costs are a fraction of what they are in Japan.
 日本企業は安価な労働力を当て込み、衣料品、自動車、電機メーカーなどを中心に、中国を生産拠点として活用してきた。

China's 1.3 billion population has increasingly strong purchasing power; it is certainly an attractive market for Japanese companies suffering from lethargic domestic demand due to the declining birthrate and graying population.
 13億人の人口を抱え、旺盛な購買力に支えられた中国の消費市場は、少子高齢化による内需低迷にあえぐ日本企業にとって、魅力的な存在でもある。

Reconsider business model

Nevertheless, Beijing's hard-nosed response to the latest dispute has made it painfully obvious to many Japanese firms that they should not rely too much on China to protect their business and interests.
 しかし、今回の問題で中国が示した露骨な対応を見れば、過度な中国依存から脱することが、企業防衛上からも重要であることを再認識させられたのではないか。

It is disturbing that allowing Japan's economy to become a "hostage" to China's whims could sway government decisions on foreign and security policies.
 日本経済が「人質」となり、政府の外交・安全保障政策上の足かせになっては困る。

Japanese companies should take this opportunity to reconsider their business strategy of concentrating production centers and investment in China, and instead start exploring new markets as the first step to reducing business risks.
 日本企業は、生産や投資などを中国に集中させてきたビジネスモデルを再考し、中国以外の市場開拓に力を入れるなど、リスクの分散を図るきっかけにしなければならない。

Japanese companies have helped China develop technologies in such fields as energy and the environment. Some Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores have opened their doors in China, bringing jobs and a wide range of goods to the Chinese public.
 日本企業はエネルギーや環境などの分野で中国の技術開発を手助けしている。スーパーやコンビニエンスストア業界も進出するなど消費や雇用面で、中国の国民に恩恵を及ぼしている。

We hope the Chinese government will not overlook the contributions Japanese companies have made to that country.
 中国政府は、こうした日本企業の貢献を評価すべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 29, 2010)
(2010年9月29日01時52分  読売新聞)

Falling rice prices

2010/09/28
--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 27
EDITORIAL: Falling rice prices
日本の農業―安いコメで発展する道を

Lower rice prices may spell serious trouble for farmers but are welcome news for consumers.
 「安いコメ」は、生産者にとってつらい話でも、消費者から見れば喜ばしい。

The government's first response to the prospect of a sharp decline, compared with usual years, in the prices of rice to be harvested this year should be based on the viewpoint and interest of consumers.
今年産米の価格が例年より大幅に下がる見通しとなってきたことも、まずは消費者本位の発想で受け止めるのが筋ではあるまいか。

The decline in rice prices is a product of an oversupply of the staple food in this nation. In addition to a massive carry-over of unsold rice from last year, when rice prices also dropped, an expected bountiful crop this year is likely to result in a sizable glut.
 米価の下落は、コメの過剰が原因だ。すでに値が下がっていた昨年産米の在庫が大量に持ち越されるうえ、今年産のコメの作況が良いため、過剰米はかなり膨らむと見込まれる。

Even if depressed rice prices cause losses for rice growers, the income support program for farming households introduced this year by the government led by the Democratic Party of Japan will guarantee them a minimum level of income.
 米価下落で農家が採算割れに陥っても、民主党政権が今年から導入した「戸別所得補償制度」があるので、農家は最低限の所得は保証される。

But the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (Zenchu), the national organization of local agricultural cooperatives, is lobbying the government to take steps to prevent rice prices from sinking.
ところが、農協(JA)の全国組織である全国農業協同組合中央会(全中)は、政府に米価維持を求めている。

Specifically, the organization is demanding that the government buy surplus rice by using, ahead of schedule, the new rice stockpiling system that the farm ministry plans to introduce next fiscal year.
 具体的には、農林水産省が来年度から導入を計画している新備蓄制度を前倒し活用し、過剰米を買い上げよというのである。

But we find it difficult to support Zenchu's lobbying campaign.
 しかし、全中などの主張には同意しがたい。

The biggest factor behind declining rice consumption is the shrinking and aging of the nation's population. It is glaringly obvious that the government's policy to maintain rice prices by purchasing surplus rice will reach its limits sooner or later. This approach will not solve any of the structural problems within the Japanese agricultural sector that cause an oversupply of rice.
コメの消費が減っている最大の要因は、人口減と高齢化の進展である。過剰米買い上げで価格維持を図ろうにも、どこかで限界に達するのは目に見えている。過剰米を生む農業の構造問題は、そうしたやり方では解決できない。

It should be remembered that the income support program for farming households was created on the assumption that rice prices would be allowed to decline.
 そもそも、戸別所得補償制度は米価の変動による「安いコメ」を認めるという発想に立って設けられたのではなかっただろうか。

For decades after the end of World War II, the government maintained rice prices through the so-called acreage-reduction policy to adjust supply. This system was designed to support the income of rice farmers by forcing consumers to buy rice at prices kept artificially high.
 日本の戦後農政は、長らく減反政策でコメの供給量を調節し、米価を維持した。消費者に高いコメを買ってもらうことで農業収入を下支えしたが、その弊害は大きかった。

However well intended, this policy has had many undesirable side effects for the agricultural sector. Although the government spent a total of 7 trillion yen ($83 billion) over the years to finance the acreage-reduction policy, Japanese agriculture has remained in a steady decline.
The present serious shortage of young farmers who can become the future backbone of agriculture in this nation and the vast amount of abandoned farmland can be said to be a result of this policy.
減反には累計7兆円の財政資金も投じたが農業の足腰は弱くなるばかりで、後継者不足や広大な耕作放棄地も生んだ。

Now the government should move in the direction of integrating efforts to aid the agricultural sector through a taxpayer-financed system that will allow rice prices to fall in the domestic market.
 この際、農業を支える仕組みを納税者負担に一本化しつつ、「安いコメ」への道を開くべきだ。

Such a move would enhance the international price competitiveness of Japanese rice and thereby make it easier to open Japan's farm market to imports.
そうすることで日本のコメの価格競争力が高まり、農産物の市場開放もしやすくなる。

This policy shift could bring huge benefits to the Japanese people as a whole by eliminating the biggest obstacle in Japan's trade negotiations with other countries for free trade agreements.
 日本の貿易交渉の最大の弱みだったこの問題を解消して、自由貿易協定を広げることが出来れば、国民全体にとって大きな利益となる。

Lower rice prices at home would improve the prospects for Japanese rice exports. Reputed for its safety and taste, Japanese rice has the potential to gain popularity in markets in China and other rice-eating Asian nations.
 日本のコメ価格が下がれば、コメ輸出も展望しやすくなる。安全性と食味で定評のある日本のコメは、中国をはじめとするアジアのコメ消費地向けの有望な輸出品となりうる。

The current system of propping up the income of farming households is seriously flawed, as it is still married to policies that trim rice production to maintain artificially high prices.
 現在の戸別所得補償制度には、重大な欠陥がある。いまだに米価維持を前提とする減反政策を続けていることだ。

Since the program covers all farmers selling rice, including very small-scale growers, it is hampering consolidation of farmland into the hands of large-scale farmers.
また、所得補償の対象を零細農家も含む全販売農家に広げたことが、大規模生産者への農地集約の障害となっている。

The time has come for new policy efforts to solve these challenges and improve the competitive environment for domestic farmers, so that Japanese agriculture can develop, even if rice prices fall.
 これらの課題を克服し、「安いコメ」でも発展できる農業への扉を開くべきときが訪れている。

Don't overlook violence by younger students

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 28, 2010)
Don't overlook violence by younger students
「キレる」子ども 暴力の低年齢化にブレーキを(9月27日付・読売社説)

There seems to be no end to the violence being committed by younger students. This serious situation at school is clear from a fiscal 2009 survey conducted by the education ministry.
 暴力の低年齢化に歯止めがかからない。全国の小中高校を対象にした文部科学省の2009年度調査からは、学校現場が抱える深刻な状況が浮かび上がる。

The number of violent acts by students both at and away from school jumped to a record 61,000 cases, marking an increase for the fourth straight year, according to the survey of primary, middle and high schools across the nation.
 学校内外での暴力行為は4年連続で増加し、過去最多の6万1000件に上った。

Violence by high school students is declining, but that by primary and middle school students has continued to rise. Primary school students in particular racked up a total of 7,100 violent incidents, nearly double the figure recorded three years before. The number of cases in which primary school teachers were treated at hospitals after suffering student violence topped 100.
 高校生の暴力は減少傾向にあるものの、小中学生では増え続けている。特に小学生は7100件で、3年前の2倍近い。教師が小学生から暴力を受け、病院で治療した件数は100件を超えた。

In the past, specific groups tended to commit violence regularly. But in recent years, there have been conspicuous instances of usually calm students who are suddenly triggered by something to commit violence.
 かつては特定のグループが恒常的に暴力行為に及ぶことが多かったが、最近は、おとなしい子どもが何かのきっかけで突然、暴力をふるうケースが目立つという。

===

New measures necessary

The situation has thus worsened to the extent that the problem of student violence cannot be solved merely by giving corrective guidance to the leaders of violent student groups. New countermeasures need to be taken after analyzing the current situation.
 グループのリーダーを指導することで問題を解決するような方法では対処できなくなっている。現状を分析して、新たな対応をとる必要がある。

A common characteristic of children who burst into fits of rage is limited ability to control their emotions and express their feelings in words.
 「キレる」子どもに共通する特徴は、自分の気持ちを言葉で表したり、感情をコントロールしたりするのが苦手なことだ。

To help such students develop better emotional awareness, one primary school, for example, gives lessons in first- and second-grade classes in which photos of an angry child's face are shown and students are asked, "How does this student feel?"
 こうした点を克服するため、ある小学校では1、2年生の授業で、例えば、怒った顔をした子の写真を見せて、「この子がどんな気持ちでいるか」を、児童たちに考えさせているという。

Many experts say the problem lies with student's families. They say that in some cases students are not well disciplined because their parents tend to neglect them. In other families, overly controlling and education-obsessed parents subject their children to too much stress.
 家庭の問題を指摘する専門家も多い。親が子どもに構わないため、しつけが十分でない、あるいは逆に教育熱心なあまり、干渉しすぎて子どもにストレスを与えている、といった意見だ。

School authorities must make efforts to improve the situation by learning about the family environments of individual students and using that knowledge as the basis for serious dialogue with parents.
 学校側には、子ども一人ひとりの家庭環境を把握した上で、親と粘り強く対話を重ね、改善を促していく努力が求められよう。

===

Bullying persists

The number of bullying cases recognized by primary, middle and high schools came to 73,000 in fiscal 2009, a decrease of 12,000 from a year before. Compared with 125,000 cases registered in fiscal 2006, the figure for fiscal 2009 shows a drop of more than 40 percent.
 一方、09年度に小中高校などで認知されたいじめの件数は、前年度より1万2000件少ない7万3000件だった。06年度の12万5000件に比べると、4割以上も減ったことになる。

But it is premature to conclude that bullying at school is in fact declining. This is because some schools answered there was "no bullying" at their schools without asking students in questionnaires or individual interviews about whether that was actually the case.
 ただし、いじめが減少傾向にあると見るのは早計だろう。いじめの有無を尋ねるアンケートや個人面談を実施せず、「いじめゼロ」と回答した学校もあるためだ。

A third-year middle school student in Kawasaki who had been bullied by classmates killed himself in June. Such tragedies happen repeatedly. The "decrease in bullying" shown by statistics should not lull those in charge of education into relaxing their efforts.
 同級生からいじめを受けていた川崎市の中学3年の男子生徒が今年6月に自殺した。現実にはこのような悲劇が繰り返されている。統計上の「いじめ減少」が教育関係者に気のゆるみをもたらすことがあってはなるまい。

Bullying could happen to any child. Schools must recognize this anew and take care not to overlook even the small signs of bullying.
 いじめはどの子どもにも起こりうるということを、学校現場が再認識し、小さな兆候も見逃さないことが大切である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 27, 2010)
(2010年9月27日01時12分  読売新聞)

Ichiro's 200-hit milestone due to technique, training

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 27, 2010)
Ichiro's 200-hit milestone due to technique, training
イチロー 技と鍛錬が生んだ200安打(9月26日付・読売社説)

The Seattle Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki has reached yet another milestone in Major League Baseball history.
 米大リーグの歴史に、また新たな金字塔を打ち立てた。

On Thursday, Suzuki notched 200 hits for an unprecedented 10th consecutive season, breaking his own major league record of nine straight 200-hit seasons. We'd like to extend our warmest congratulations on this remarkable feat.
 シアトル・マリナーズのイチロー選手が、10年連続200安打を達成した。昨季に成し遂げた9年連続200安打の大リーグ記録を更新した。偉業を祝福したい。

Ten years have passed since Suzuki joined the Seattle Mariners after a nine-year stint with the Orix BlueWave (now the Orix Buffaloes) of Japan's Pacific League.
 オリックスからマリナーズに移籍して10年。

Suzuki has exceeded 200 hits every year since moving to the United States, using his masterful bat control and natural speed on the base paths.
巧みなバットコントロールと持ち前の俊足を生かし、移籍1年目から毎年、200安打以上を打ち続けてきた。

Commenting on his achievement, Suzuki said, "I know better than anyone that it's not easy."
 イチロー選手は、それについて「簡単じゃないことは、僕が一番知っている」と語った。

His feat is a great record that can only be achieved through continuous training and good physical conditioning.
地道なトレーニングと体調管理があってこその大記録であろう。

The Seattle Mariners have performed poorly in recent seasons, and the team is in last place in the American League West this year. With his team running in low gear, it must be difficult for Suzuki to maintain his concentration.
 マリナーズは、戦績の振るわないシーズンが続いている。今季もア・リーグ西地区の最下位に沈んでいる。チームが不振の中で、集中力を維持するのは容易でない面もあったはずだ。

===

Pete Rose mark within reach

Former Major League player Pete Rose, who also is widely known in Japan, also had at least 200 hits in 10 seasons but not consecutively.
 大リーグでは、日本でも広く知られるピート・ローズ氏が10回にわたり200安打を放ったが、連続記録ではない。

If Suzuki reaches 200 hits for the 11th consecutive season next year, he also would top Rose for the most 200-hit seasons. We hope he will break this record, too.
 イチロー選手が来季も200安打を打てば、通算回数でも単独トップに立つ。ぜひ、この記録も塗り替えてもらいたい。

On Sept. 18, Suzuki collected his 3,500th hit in his major league and Japanese careers combined. However, since this statistic includes the hits he had during his Japan playing days, it does not necessarily garner much praise in the United States.
 イチロー選手は先ごろ、日米通算3500安打も達成した。だが、日本での安打も含まれていることから、米国でのこの記録への評価は、必ずしも高くはない。

For that reason, the significance of the 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons he achieved only in the United States stands out.
 それだけに、米国だけで達成した10年連続200安打の偉大さが際立つのだろう。

Major league players praised Suzuki's achievement as a record that will be unbreakable for the next 100 years. Despite reaching the mark while his team was on the road in Toronto, the fans in attendance gave him a standing ovation.
 大リーグの選手も「今後100年は破られない記録」と称賛している。敵地にもかかわらず、カナダ・トロントの観衆も大きな拍手を送っていた。

Suzuki will turn 37 next month. When he is in a slump, some people say his abilities have declined due to age.
 イチロー選手も来月で37歳となる。不調時には、年齢による衰えを指摘されるようになった。

However, Suzuki's extraordinary speed has hardly diminished, as this season he reached the 40-steal mark for the first time in two years.
 だが、今季の盗塁数が2年ぶりに40個を超えるなど、たぐいまれなスピードは健在だ。

===

NPB knock-on effect

Suzuki's marquee performances also stimulate Nippon Professional Baseball. Norichika Aoki of the Yakult Swallows and other players who admire Suzuki are studying his technique and banging out the hits.
 イチロー選手の活躍は、日本のプロ野球にも刺激を与えている。青木宣親選手(ヤクルト)ら、イチロー選手にあこがれる選手たちが、その技を研究し、安打を量産している。

Japan won the World Baseball Classic championship both times the tournament has been staged, in 2006 and 2009. Japanese baseball will rise to an even higher level if more players follow Suzuki's example and achieve excellence in all three facets of the game--running, hitting and fielding.
 日本は、ワールド・ベースボール・クラシック(WBC)の連覇を果たしたが、イチロー選手のような走攻守に優れた選手が増えれば、日本の野球のレベルは一層、上がるだろう。

Above all, the growing number of children who pick up bats dreaming of becoming baseball players like Suzuki will help spread the game even further.
 何よりも、イチロー選手のようになることを夢見て、バットを握る子供たちが増えることが、野球のすそ野の拡大につながる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 26, 2010)
(2010年9月26日01時11分  読売新聞)

Chinese skipper's release a political decision

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 26, 2010)
Chinese skipper's release a political decision
中国人船長釈放 関係修復を優先した政治決着(9月25日付・読売社説)

Prosecutors decided Friday to release a Chinese trawler captain, who was arrested following collisions between his ship and two Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, without taking further legal action against him for now.
 尖閣諸島沖での衝突事件で逮捕されていた中国人船長が、処分保留のまま、釈放されることが決まった。

The Naha District Public Prosecutors Office in Okinawa Prefecture, which was investigating the captain, said, "The impact on the people of this nation and the future of Japan-China relations were taken into consideration."
 船長を取り調べていた那覇地検は「国民への影響や今後の日中関係を考慮した」と説明した。

The decision came soon after it was learned that four Japanese nationals had been taken into custody by Chinese authorities for allegedly filming "military targets" in Hebei Province.
 中国・河北省で「軍事目標」をビデオ撮影したとして日本人4人が拘束されたばかりである。

"The impact on the people" was mentioned apparently out of concern over the possibility that the detention of the Japanese might be prolonged.
「国民への影響」とは、拘束が長引く可能性があることへの懸念をさすものだろう。

Beijing ties given priority

The prosecutors office explained that authorities were unable to prove the captain's action had been deliberately planned and that the collisions did not result in injury or serious damage.
 地検は、船長の行為に計画性が認められず、けが人が出るなどの被害がなかったことも、釈放の理由に挙げた。

But this is inconsistent, as investigative authorities cited the malign nature of the incident to explain the arrest and detention of the skipper.
 だが、これでは、悪質性が高いとして船長を逮捕・拘置してきたこととの整合性がとれない。

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku insisted that the prosecutors office made the decision on its own. But there is no doubt that the issue was settled in a political decision by Prime Minister Naoto Kan and other senior members of the government and the Democratic Party of Japan. It also is said that the decision came because the U.S. government called for an early settlement of the issue.
 仙谷官房長官は、地検独自の判断であることを強調しているものの、菅首相はじめ政府・民主党首脳らの政治判断による決着であることは間違いあるまい。背景には早期解決を求める米政府の意向もあったとされる。

Since the Japanese government repeatedly said the incident would be handled in line with domestic laws, the decision gave the impression that the Japanese government had given in and failed to stick to its original stance. Many people in this nation likely share this critical view. The government needs to provide the public with a thorough and convincing explanation.
 「国内法に基づいて処理する」と繰り返してきた日本政府として筋を通せなかった印象はぬぐえない。国民の多くも同様の思いを抱いているのではないか。政府は国民の納得が得られるよう、十分説明を尽くす必要がある。

Needless to say, the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of Japan. The government must assert this point repeatedly both at home and abroad.
 尖閣諸島は言うまでもなく、日本固有の領土である。政府はこの立場を、繰り返し内外に示していかなければならない。

Long-term effects

We also cannot disregard the repercussions the latest decision will likely bring about in the future.
 今回の決着が、今後にもたらす影響も無視できない。

It is possible that JCG patrols will no longer have a strong deterrent effect on Chinese trawlers that illegally fish in Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands. The organizational functions of the JCG and its cooperation with the Maritime Self-Defense Force should be strengthened.
 尖閣諸島沖の日本領海内で違法操業する中国漁船への海上保安庁の“にらみ”が利かなくなる可能性がある。海保の体制強化はもちろん、海上自衛隊との連携も強めることが求められる。

Amid the dispute over the skipper's detention, China blocked exports to Japan of rare earths vital for the production of hybrid car parts and other items. This development serves as a strong reminder that China is a trade partner of unpredictable risk.
 中国が今回、ハイブリッド車の部品などの製造に欠かせないレアアース(希土類)の輸出禁止措置をとったことは、中国が貿易相手として予測不能なリスクを抱える国であることを再認識させた。

Regarding materials that are largely sourced from inside China, it is crucial to secure other sources of such materials.
 今後、中国に大きく依存する物資については、中国以外からも調達できるよう対策を講じておくことが肝要だ。

China acted high-handedly apparently with anti-Japan hard-liners at home in mind. But the series of countermeasures successively taken by China over a short period of time--such as the suspension of youth exchange events and negotiations over a bilateral treaty on joint development of natural gas fields in the East China Sea--were obviously going too far.
 中国の高圧的な姿勢の裏には、国内の対日強硬派への配慮もあろうが、青年交流や条約交渉の中止など矢継ぎ早の対抗措置は、明らかに行き過ぎている。

Japan should not be simply lured to a "friendship" approach toward China. From the standpoint of seeking "strategic and mutually beneficial relations," Japan must pursue its national interests calmly and realistically regarding China.
 日本は、単なる「友好」という言葉に踊らされることなく、「戦略的互恵」の立場で、冷静かつ現実的に国益を追求する対中外交を展開していかねばならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 25, 2010)
(2010年9月25日01時24分  読売新聞)

Strict action needed to reform prosecutors

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 25, 2010)
Strict action needed to reform prosecutors
大阪地検特捜部 組織的隠蔽の批判は免れない(9月24日付・読売社説)

The latest revelation concerning the alleged tampering of evidence by a prosecutor from the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office may imply an organizationwide attempt to cover up a surefire scandal.
 大阪地検は組織ぐるみで疑惑を隠蔽(いんぺい)していたということではないか。

The case in question involves a head prosecutor from the Osaka office's special investigation squad who has been accused of altering potential evidence seized during investigations into a case of alleged postal fraud. It has become known that the investigative unit was informed that its lead prosecutor had possibly falsified data, and that this finding was reported to top officials at the district prosecutors office.
 郵便不正事件の捜査の過程で、大阪地検特捜部が主任検事による押収資料の改ざんの可能性を把握し、地検上層部にも報告していたことが明らかになった。

A task force from the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office set up to investigate this scandal has questioned two key figures who supervised the prosecutor in question: a high-ranking prosecutor who headed the investigation unit at the time, and another senior prosecutor who was the team's deputy chief.
 最高検の捜査チームは、主任検事の上司だった当時の特捜部長や副部長から事情聴取した。

It must be clarified why senior officials from the district prosecutors office failed to act when they received information about what may constitute the crime of destruction of evidence. The task force must thoroughly investigate the case to get to the bottom of the scandal, while determining who should take the blame if there was indeed a cover-up.
 証拠隠滅という犯罪を疑わせるに足る重大な情報を、地検幹部はなぜ放置していたのか。徹底した捜査で真相究明と関与者すべての責任を追及する必要がある。

Sketchy conduct high to low

In February, some officials of the district prosecutors office, including the head of the investigation squad, received reports that the team's lead prosecutor might have rewritten data on a floppy disk confiscated from the home of a former section chief at the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
 厚生労働省の元係長宅から押収したフロッピーディスクのデータを、主任検事が書き換えたらしいという情報を特捜部長らが把握したのは、今年2月頃だった。

At the time, the prosecutor in question reportedly told a colleague he had planted a "time bomb" on the disk.
 主任検事は当時、「ディスクに時限爆弾を仕掛けた」と、他の検事に漏らしていたという。

However, after the prosecutor told the head of the investigation unit and other senior officials that his alteration of the data "was not deliberate," they seem to have done little to uncover the truth behind his conduct.
 ところが特捜部長らは、主任検事から「故意ではない」との説明を受けると、それ以上踏み込んだ調査をしなかった。

Questions also must be raised about how the head of the investigative team described the prosecutor's action when he reported on the alleged data alteration to the Osaka office's chief prosecutor. He reportedly said the prosecutor's conduct would pose "no problem."
 また、特捜部長は検事正に対し、資料の改ざんを巡る情報があったが「問題はなかった」という趣旨の報告をしたとされる。

We feel the prosecutor's description of his action as a "time bomb" should have been sufficient to arouse suspicion that the falsification was deliberate. If the investigative team leader swallowed the explanation that the alteration "was not deliberate," he should be brought to task for being too lenient with his subordinates and for his lack of skill in dealing with the matter.
 「時限爆弾を仕掛けた」という発言は、主任検事の意図的な改ざんを疑わせるに十分な例えだったのではないか。「故意ではない」との説明を、うのみにしていたのであれば、身内に甘い、あまりにもお粗末な対応である。

It is also questionable why the Osaka office's chief prosecutor had no reservations about the investigation team's report on the affair. It seems to us that as the head of the prosecutors office, his actions lacked urgency. He should have instructed the special investigative unit to further look into the prosecutor's conduct.
 検事正も、特捜部の報告に、何ら疑問を抱かなかったのだろうか。地検トップとしての危機意識に欠けていたと言わざるを得ない。特捜部に対し、さらなる調査を指示するべきだったろう。

Act firmly to restore trust

The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office should investigate the depth to which senior officials at the district prosecutors office were aware of the alleged data tampering. If their action--or inaction, for that matter--is found to violate any laws, the top prosecutors office should deal sternly with them, possibly even pursuing criminal charges.
 最高検は、特捜部長をはじめとする地検幹部が、改ざんの事実関係をどの程度まで認識していたのかを調べ、仮に法に触れる行為が確認されれば、立件も辞さない覚悟で臨んでもらいたい。

The latest scandal has prompted some Democratic Party of Japan members to say the prosecutor general--the person in charge of all prosecutors in the country--should step down. They are also seeking to have all interrogations during criminal investigations videotaped.
 今回の事件を受けて、民主党内からは検事総長の進退問題に言及したり、取り調べの全面可視化を求めたりする動きが出ている。

The scandal could arouse questions about related matters, including the credibility of depositions taken from suspects in other cases handled by the Osaka special investigation squad.
 今後、特捜部が手がけた他の事件についても、供述調書の信用性などを疑問視する声が強まる可能性がある。

Prosecutors must uncover the truth behind the data-tampering scandal, and fully present their findings to the public. They also must reexamine every aspect of their probe into the alleged abuse of the postal discount system.
 今必要なのは、主任検事による資料改ざん事件の全容を解明し、国民に速やかに公表することだ。郵便不正事件の捜査全般の検証も怠ってはならない。

Prosecutors must demonstrate they have what it takes to root out corruption among themselves to restore the trust they have lost. Doing so is the only way to resurrect the prosecution as an investigative organization.
 組織の自浄能力を示すことが、失墜した信頼を取り戻し、検察が再生する唯一の道だろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 24, 2010)
(2010年9月24日03時01分  読売新聞)

Govt should help push up land prices

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 24, 2010)
Govt should help push up land prices
基準地価 下げ止まりの兆しはあるが(9月23日付・読売社説)

At long last signs have emerged of an end to the fall in land prices that began with the collapse of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. two years ago, but it remains uncertain whether the recovery trend will continue.
 2年前のリーマン・ショック以来の地価急落にようやく下げ止まりの兆しが見え始めた。
 ただ、こうした地価の回復基調が、今後も維持されるかどうかは不透明だ。

Changes in land prices lead to fluctuations in people's assets, which can greatly affect personal consumption. Therefore, we think the government should indirectly support land prices through measures such as an extension of the economic stimulus eco-point program for houses.
 地価の動向は個人資産の増減につながり、消費活動にも大きな影響を与える。それだけに、政府が住宅版エコポイントの延長などで、地価底上げを側面支援することは妥当な施策といえよう。

The government needs to help boost the economy further by expanding tax cuts and tax exemptions for housing and real estate.
 住宅・不動産関係諸税の減免措置の拡充などで、さらにテコ入れする必要がある。

According to a survey of land prices in all 47 prefectures released recently by the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, the average price of residential land fell 3.4 percent in the year to July 1, while that of commercial land dropped 4.6 percent. In the previous year's survey, the average price of residential land fell 4 percent and that of commercial land decreased 5.9 percent. The latest survey shows the pace of decline has slowed in both categories.
 国土交通省が発表した7月1日時点の都道府県地価(基準地価)によると、全国の地価は、住宅地で前年比3・4%、商業地で4・6%の下落となった。
 1年前の調査では住宅地が4・0%、商業地で5・9%値下がりしており、下落率は縮小した。

The ministry believes the slower decline has been partly due to factors such as rising demand for land on which to build condominiums in urban areas. Recently, condominiums have become more affordable as prices have fallen sharply. Condominium sales in major cities have been recovering rapidly, bringing a bit of brightness to future land price forecasts.
 国交省は、急激な値下がりにより値ごろ感が出た都市部で、マンション用地の需要が高まったことなどが影響したと見ている。
 実際、大都市ではマンションの売れ行きが急回復しており、地価動向を占う明るい材料だ。

Metro areas doing better

Trends in land prices in metropolitan areas--a leading indicator of land prices throughout the nation--are worth noting: In the Tokyo metropolitan area, average residential land prices fell 3 percent, while commercial land prices decreased 4.1 percent. The drops in both categories are almost half the figures from a year earlier.
 地域別では、地価の先行指標である大都市での値動きが注目される。東京圏では、住宅地の下落率が3・0%、商業地は4・1%で、前年に比べほぼ半減した。

If we look at the trends in more detail, signs of an end to the fall in land prices become more apparent. Take, for instance, land price trends in the first half of the year that ended on July 1 and those in the second half of the year at 15 residential locations in eight wards in central Tokyo.
 さらに詳しく分析すると、下げ止まりの流れがはっきりする。例えば、東京の都心8区の住宅地15地点について、この1年間を前、後半に分けて比較してみよう。

During the first half of the year, land prices in all locations dropped, but prices rose in two locations, were about the same at four spots and the rate of decline slowed at eight places in the second half of the year. It is apparent that land prices began to turn around this year. A similar development can be seen in major cities such as Osaka and Nagoya.
 前半はすべての地点が値下がりしていたが、後半では値上がりに転じたのが2地点、横ばいになったのが4地点、下落率が縮小したのが8地点あった。
 今年に入って、地価が反転しつつあることが鮮明だ。大阪市、名古屋市などにも共通して見られる動きである。

Land prices in major cities rose markedly about three years ago, during a "mini bubble" caused by factors that included competition for prime locations among brand-name stores. However, in the wake of the so-called Lehman shock, things took a sudden turn for the worse. The latest survey may indicate the tide is about to change for land prices.
 大都市の地価は、ブランド店の立地競争などによるミニバブルで、3年ほど前に大幅に値上がりしたが、リーマン・ショックで暗転した。今回の調査結果は、地価の潮目が変わりつつあることを示しているのではないか。

Other regions still struggling

However, land price trends in other regions are still poor. The average price of residential land in these regions dropped at a greater rate than during the previous year, while commercial land declined at about the same rate. This was the 18th straight year of decline in residential land prices in these areas, while commercial land values fell for the 19th consecutive year.
 問題は地方圏である。住宅地は昨年より下落率が大きくなり、商業地もほぼ横ばいのままだ。これで、住宅地は18年連続、商業地も19年連続で下落を記録した。

Are there any ways to prop up land prices in these regions, which have seen the value of their land fall for so long?
 長期低落に打つ手はないのか。

In Hokkaido and Mie Prefecture, some districts have increased land prices by improving their appeal as tourist destinations. Needless to say, we believe it is essential to promote local redevelopment and to encourage businesses to expand into the less urbanized regions.
北海道や三重県では、観光地としての魅力を高め、地価上昇につなげた地域もある。無論、地域再開発の推進や企業の地方進出を促す補助政策なども欠かせまい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 23, 2010)
(2010年9月23日01時02分  読売新聞)

Prosecutors' reputation totally ruined

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 23, 2010)
Prosecutors' reputation totally ruined
押収資料改ざん 地に落ちた特捜検察の威信(9月22日付・読売社説)

The alleged falsification of data by a senior prosecutor is a grave scandal that is shaking the very foundations of Japan's criminal justice system.
 刑事司法の根幹を揺るがす特捜検察の一大不祥事である。

The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office arrested the lead prosecutor at the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation squad on suspicion of tampering with evidence in the postal abuse case involving Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry officials. The ministry's former bureau chief, Atsuko Muraki, was arrested and indicted for her alleged involvement in the case but was cleared by the Osaka District Court.
 厚生労働省の村木厚子元局長に無罪判決が出た郵便不正事件に絡み、大阪地検特捜部の主任検事が、押収資料を改ざんした証拠隠滅容疑で最高検に逮捕された。

The chief prosecutor is suspected to have altered data on a floppy disk seized as possible evidence from one of Muraki's former subordinates, who was then a unit chief at the ministry's policy planning division, to make it better match the special investigation team's arguments.
 村木元局長の部下だった元係長宅から押収したフロッピーディスクのデータを、特捜部の描いた事件の構図に合うよう書き換えた疑いが持たれている。

===

Unprecedented scandal

If the allegation is true, it would be an unprecedented instance of a prosecutor, who holds supreme authority in investigations and indictments, being found to have illegally fabricated evidence against a defendant. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office must bring to light the case's entire picture and strictly punish those involved.
 事実とすれば、強大な捜査・起訴権限を持つ検事自らが、有罪証拠をでっちあげようとした前代未聞の違法行為だ。最高検は全容を解明し、関係者を厳正に処罰しなければならない。

The special investigation squad's probe was based on the scenario that Muraki had instructed the unit chief in early June 2004 to fabricate an official document to allow a group that falsely claimed itself as a body supporting the handicapped to abuse the postal discount system for the handicapped.
 特捜部が描いた事件の構図は、村木元局長が2004年6月上旬、元係長に対し、自称障害者団体に発行する偽証明書の作成を指示したというものだった。

However, the supposedly false document, which was found on the seized floppy disk, was last updated at 1:20 a.m. on June 1, 2004.
 ところが、押収したディスクには、偽証明書作成の最終更新日時が「04年6月1日午前1時20分」と記録されていた。

The chief prosecutor allegedly changed the data to show that the document was last updated at 9:10 p.m. on June 8, 2004. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office suspects that the prosecutor altered the data because it did not fit the special investigation squad's suppositions.
 主任検事は、これを「04年6月8日午後9時10分」に書き換えた。特捜部の見立てに合わないデータを意図的に改ざんした疑いがあると最高検は見ている。

A lead prosecutor, who takes charge of investigations in a criminal case, is supposed to change the course of the investigation or give up on establishing a case altogether if investigators have found evidence contrary to their case.
 担当事件の捜査を統括する主任検事は、捜査の過程で見立てと異なる証拠が見つかれば、軌道修正したり、事件の立件を断念したりするのが鉄則だ。

Altering a seized document is an inexcusable act that ruins confidence in prosecutors' investigations and makes a mockery of the justice of criminal trials.
 押収資料の改ざんは、検察捜査への信頼を損ね、刑事裁判の公正さをないがしろにする言語道断の行為である。

===

Terrifying abuse of power

The chief prosecutor eventually returned the floppy disk in question to the former unit chief without submitting it to the court as evidence. If it had been submitted to the court, it might have been used as material evidence to establish Muraki's guilt. We are terrified at the thought of such supreme authority spinning out of control.
 主任検事は結局、ディスクを元係長側に返却し、公判に証拠提出しなかった。提出されていたら、村木元局長を強引に有罪に持ち込む物証となった可能性もあった。権力の暴走に戦慄(せんりつ)を覚える。

In addition, the prosecutors had drawn up an investigation report with the correct update time on the floppy disk but did not submit it to the court. They disclosed the report upon the request of Muraki's attorneys before her trial started.
 さらに特捜部は、正確な最終更新日時のデータを記載した捜査報告書を作成していたが、これも証拠提出しなかった。公判前に弁護側の請求でようやく開示した。

Prosecutors must uncover what had been discussed within the special investigation squad and the district public prosecutors office over the handling of evidence and whether any other individuals were involved in altering the data. The Osaka High Public Prosecutors Office and the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office must also be blamed for having failed to fulfill their responsibility to appropriately supervise the district public prosecutors office.
 これら証拠資料の扱いについて特捜部や地検内でどんな議論があったのか、他に改ざんの関与者はいなかったのか、真相を明らかにすべきだ。上級庁の大阪高検、最高検の監督責任も免れまい。

In the postal abuse case, the court refused to accept many depositions by Muraki's alleged accomplices and witnesses submitted by the prosecutors, saying that the prosecutors could have coerced them into making such statements. Given that, we must say that the quality of public prosecutors has seriously deteriorated.
 郵便不正事件では、特捜部の作成した供述調書の多くが「誘導の可能性がある」として、裁判で信用性を否定された。特捜検事の資質の劣化は極めて深刻だ。

The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office has the responsibility to drive out corruption within the organization by thoroughly investigating the case without being lenient on its colleagues.
 最高検には、身内への甘さを排した徹底捜査で、組織内部の病巣を取り除く責務がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 22, 2010)
(2010年9月22日01時26分  読売新聞)

Prosecutors' reputation totally ruined

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 23, 2010)
Prosecutors' reputation totally ruined
押収資料改ざん 地に落ちた特捜検察の威信(9月22日付・読売社説)

The alleged falsification of data by a senior prosecutor is a grave scandal that is shaking the very foundations of Japan's criminal justice system.
 刑事司法の根幹を揺るがす特捜検察の一大不祥事である。

The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office arrested the lead prosecutor at the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office's special investigation squad on suspicion of tampering with evidence in the postal abuse case involving Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry officials. The ministry's former bureau chief, Atsuko Muraki, was arrested and indicted for her alleged involvement in the case but was cleared by the Osaka District Court.
 厚生労働省の村木厚子元局長に無罪判決が出た郵便不正事件に絡み、大阪地検特捜部の主任検事が、押収資料を改ざんした証拠隠滅容疑で最高検に逮捕された。

The chief prosecutor is suspected to have altered data on a floppy disk seized as possible evidence from one of Muraki's former subordinates, who was then a unit chief at the ministry's policy planning division, to make it better match the special investigation team's arguments.
 村木元局長の部下だった元係長宅から押収したフロッピーディスクのデータを、特捜部の描いた事件の構図に合うよう書き換えた疑いが持たれている。

===

Unprecedented scandal

If the allegation is true, it would be an unprecedented instance of a prosecutor, who holds supreme authority in investigations and indictments, being found to have illegally fabricated evidence against a defendant. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office must bring to light the case's entire picture and strictly punish those involved.
 事実とすれば、強大な捜査・起訴権限を持つ検事自らが、有罪証拠をでっちあげようとした前代未聞の違法行為だ。最高検は全容を解明し、関係者を厳正に処罰しなければならない。

The special investigation squad's probe was based on the scenario that Muraki had instructed the unit chief in early June 2004 to fabricate an official document to allow a group that falsely claimed itself as a body supporting the handicapped to abuse the postal discount system for the handicapped.
 特捜部が描いた事件の構図は、村木元局長が2004年6月上旬、元係長に対し、自称障害者団体に発行する偽証明書の作成を指示したというものだった。

However, the supposedly false document, which was found on the seized floppy disk, was last updated at 1:20 a.m. on June 1, 2004.
 ところが、押収したディスクには、偽証明書作成の最終更新日時が「04年6月1日午前1時20分」と記録されていた。

The chief prosecutor allegedly changed the data to show that the document was last updated at 9:10 p.m. on June 8, 2004. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office suspects that the prosecutor altered the data because it did not fit the special investigation squad's suppositions.
 主任検事は、これを「04年6月8日午後9時10分」に書き換えた。特捜部の見立てに合わないデータを意図的に改ざんした疑いがあると最高検は見ている。

A lead prosecutor, who takes charge of investigations in a criminal case, is supposed to change the course of the investigation or give up on establishing a case altogether if investigators have found evidence contrary to their case.
 担当事件の捜査を統括する主任検事は、捜査の過程で見立てと異なる証拠が見つかれば、軌道修正したり、事件の立件を断念したりするのが鉄則だ。

Altering a seized document is an inexcusable act that ruins confidence in prosecutors' investigations and makes a mockery of the justice of criminal trials.
 押収資料の改ざんは、検察捜査への信頼を損ね、刑事裁判の公正さをないがしろにする言語道断の行為である。

===

Terrifying abuse of power

The chief prosecutor eventually returned the floppy disk in question to the former unit chief without submitting it to the court as evidence. If it had been submitted to the court, it might have been used as material evidence to establish Muraki's guilt. We are terrified at the thought of such supreme authority spinning out of control.
 主任検事は結局、ディスクを元係長側に返却し、公判に証拠提出しなかった。提出されていたら、村木元局長を強引に有罪に持ち込む物証となった可能性もあった。権力の暴走に戦慄(せんりつ)を覚える。

In addition, the prosecutors had drawn up an investigation report with the correct update time on the floppy disk but did not submit it to the court. They disclosed the report upon the request of Muraki's attorneys before her trial started.
 さらに特捜部は、正確な最終更新日時のデータを記載した捜査報告書を作成していたが、これも証拠提出しなかった。公判前に弁護側の請求でようやく開示した。

Prosecutors must uncover what had been discussed within the special investigation squad and the district public prosecutors office over the handling of evidence and whether any other individuals were involved in altering the data. The Osaka High Public Prosecutors Office and the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office must also be blamed for having failed to fulfill their responsibility to appropriately supervise the district public prosecutors office.
 これら証拠資料の扱いについて特捜部や地検内でどんな議論があったのか、他に改ざんの関与者はいなかったのか、真相を明らかにすべきだ。上級庁の大阪高検、最高検の監督責任も免れまい。

In the postal abuse case, the court refused to accept many depositions by Muraki's alleged accomplices and witnesses submitted by the prosecutors, saying that the prosecutors could have coerced them into making such statements. Given that, we must say that the quality of public prosecutors has seriously deteriorated.
 郵便不正事件では、特捜部の作成した供述調書の多くが「誘導の可能性がある」として、裁判で信用性を否定された。特捜検事の資質の劣化は極めて深刻だ。

The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office has the responsibility to drive out corruption within the organization by thoroughly investigating the case without being lenient on its colleagues.
 最高検には、身内への甘さを排した徹底捜査で、組織内部の病巣を取り除く責務がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 22, 2010)
(2010年9月22日01時26分  読売新聞)

Japan-India accord should lead to more EPAs

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 22, 2010)
Japan-India accord should lead to more EPAs
日印EPA 出遅れ挽回の確かな一歩に(9月21日付・読売社説)

An economic partnership agreement with India likely will give Japanese businesses a boost in such industries as automobiles and home electronic appliances in the huge Indian market, which has been growing rapidly.
 急成長している巨大市場インドで、自動車や電機などの日本企業がビジネスを拡大する追い風になろう。

Japan and India broadly agreed earlier this month to sign an EPA. A formal agreement is expected to be made when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits Japan in October.
 日本とインドの経済連携協定(EPA)交渉が大筋合意した。インドのシン首相が10月に来日し、正式合意する予定だ。

The agreement is the first of its kind to be made under the Democratic Party of Japan-led government and will make India the 12th nation or region with which this country has an EPA. Coming as it did after four years of difficult negotiations, the broad agreement is of particular significance.
 民主党政権としては初めての合意で、日本のEPAは12か国・地域目となる。4年越しの難交渉がまとまった意義は大きい。

The key point in the agreement is that the two nations will gradually lower tariffs on goods that account for 94 percent of the value of their exports, and eliminate the tariffs in 10 years.
 日印両国の貿易額の94%に当たる品目について、関税を10年間で段階的に引き下げて、撤廃することが大筋合意のポイントだ。

The tariffs imposed by India on Japan's major export items, such as auto parts and steel, range from 7.5 percent to 10 percent. Japan would benefit greatly from their elimination.
 日本の主要輸出品である自動車部品や鉄鋼などに対するインドの関税は約7・5%~10%と高く、撤廃のメリットは大きい。

Japanese manufacturers with production bases in India also could reduce the procurement costs of parts from Japan and other items.
インドで現地生産する日本メーカーも、日本からの部品などの調達コストを削減できよう。

The EPA also includes an agreement to ease restrictions on investment in India. We hope Japanese companies seize this chance by carefully crafting strategies for the construction of local factories and expanded investment in plants and equipment.
 インドでの投資規制を緩和する協定も盛り込まれた。日本企業は現地工場の建設や、設備投資の拡大などで戦略を練り、チャンスを生かしてほしい。

Highly attractive market

The Indian market is particularly appealing. The nation has a population of 1.2 billion people and its economy continues to register 9 percent annual growth. The number of middle-income households who purchase such products as automobiles and home electronic appliances is rapidly growing, and there has been strong demand for social infrastructure such as railroads and electric power.
 インド市場の魅力は、12億人の人口を抱え、約9%の高成長が続いていることだ。自動車や家電などを購入する中間所得層が急増し、鉄道や電力などのインフラ(社会基盤)整備の需要も旺盛だ。

Prime Minister Naoto Kan's administration has expressed its intention to incorporate the vigor of Asia and other regions in its new growth strategy. In line with this policy, the EPA between Japan and India is expected to strengthen Japanese companies' competitiveness and expand infrastructure exports.
 菅政権は、アジアなどの活力を取り込む新成長戦略を掲げている。日印EPAはその戦略に沿い、インドでの日本企業の競争力を強化したり、インフラ輸出を拡大したりする効果が期待される。

But South Korea, which has been aggressively promoting EPAs, already put one with India into effect in January. Under this bilateral agreement, tariffs on many items are set to be abolished in five to eight years, a faster pace for opening up the Indian market than the one established in the Japan-India pact.
 ただ、EPA戦略に積極的な韓国は今年1月、インドとのEPA協定を発効済みだ。韓印協定では5年から8年で関税を撤廃する品目が多く、インドの市場開放のペースは日本との協定より速い。

The Japan-India EPA will alleviate some of the disadvantages Japanese companies face against their South Korean rivals. But we must keep an eye on the competitiveness of South Korean companies.
 韓国企業に比べて日本企業が強いられている不利な状況は、少しは改善されるが、韓国勢の競争力は依然、要警戒だ。

Compromise needed

India has asked Japan to accept Indian nurses and other workers, but Japan has resisted making a specific decision on this matter. To deepen economic partnerships between this country and India, Japan should make concessions.
 インドが日本に要求した看護師などの受け入れは、日本の抵抗で具体策が先送りされた。両国の経済連携を深めるため、日本が譲歩すべきだろう。

Japan has fallen behind other nations in its EPA strategy. Negotiations with South Korea have been suspended, and talks with Australia have run into difficulty as Japan is resisting opening its agricultural market.
 日本はEPA戦略で出遅れている。韓国との交渉は中断し、農業分野での市場開放に日本が抵抗する豪州との交渉は難航している。

There are no prospects even for the start of negotiations with the United States and the European Union.
米国や欧州連合(EU)との交渉は開始のメドすらたたない。

To help Japan catch up, the government aims to devise basic guidelines on the EPA by November. We urge the government to include measures to open the agriculture sector, which has always been the bottleneck in negotiations. Without this, there will be no progress.
 政府は挽回(ばんかい)を目指し、11月までにEPAの基本方針を策定する。常に交渉のネックとなる農業分野について、開放の方針を盛り込むべきだ。それなくして、今後のEPA交渉の進展は望めない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 21, 2010)
(2010年9月21日01時14分  読売新聞)

プロフィール

srachai

自己紹介・リンク

妻はタイ人、娘ばかり3人も!

PIC_0014.JPG

■近況

2009年の9月15日に脳梗塞を発症、右手が少し不自由になりました。
MRAで脳梗塞の部位を特定でき、素早い処置をとれたので大事に至りませんでした。
快復にむけてリハビリ中です。
(2011/01/01更新)

■自己紹介・リンク

[ はじめに ]
タイのスラチャイです。
英語学習に王道はありません。
毎日毎日の地道な努力の積み重ねが必要です。
スラチャイはNHKのラジオ英語会話で現在の英語力を身につけました。
一日僅か15分の学習でも数年間継続すれば相当な学習効果が期待できます。

[ 名前 ]
松井 清 (スラチャイ)

[ 略歴 ]
・福岡県出身
・国立高知大学卒業
・準大手建設会社に就職
・50歳で会社を早期退職
・99/10 タイ全土を旅行
・00/10 タイに移住
・03/07 カイちゃん誕生
・07/06 シーファーちゃん誕生
・現在タイ国コンケン在住

[ 座右の銘 ]
Slow and steady wins the race.
遅くとも着実な者が勝利する
(NHK基礎英語芹沢栄先生)

[ 学習の手引き ]
・音読して耳から英語を吸収
・Think in English.
・ネイティブ発音付辞書活用
・英英辞典を活用(英和も)
・翻訳和文で専門用語確認

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スラチャイ編曲のJ.S.Bachです

スラチャイの多国言語学習
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初歩の中国語
初歩のラオス語
初歩のビルマ語
初歩のシンハリ語
初歩のタガログ語

タイ語の基礎
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基礎タイ語一覧(タイ文字、ローマ字)
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧:
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他

基礎タイ語一覧(タイ文字、音声付き)
サイト外HPリンク一覧:
01 あいさつ
02 別れのあいさつ
03 声をかけるとき
04 感謝の言葉と答え方
05 謝罪の言葉と答え方
06 聞き直すとき
07 相手の言うことがわからないとき
08 うまく言えないとき
09 一般的なあいづち
10 よくわからないときの返事
11 強めのあいづち
12 自分について述べるとき
13 相手のことを尋ねるとき
14 頼みごとをするとき
15 申し出・依頼を断るとき
16 許可を求めるとき
17 説明してもらうとき
18 確認を求めるとき
19 状況を知りたいとき
20 値段の尋ね方と断り方
21 急いでもらいたいとき
22 待ってもらいたいとき
23 日時・場所・天候を尋ねるとき
24 その他

タイの文化一覧:
01 雨の日にも傘をささないタイ人
02 勉強熱心なタイ人女性たち
03 タイ人は敬謙な仏教徒
04 タイの市場
05 タイの食堂
06 タイ人は外食が大好き
07 果物王国タイランド
08 タイ人の誕生日
09 タイの電話代は高い
10 微笑みの国タイランド

14の戒律(テラワーダ仏教戒律)
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第14番目の戒律

14の戒律(テラワーダ仏教戒律)
サイト外HPリンク一覧:
14の戒律解説
第01番目の戒律
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第10番目の戒律
第11番目の戒律
第12番目の戒律
第13番目の戒律
第14番目の戒律


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[ HPリンク ]
cocolog 家族のアルバム
fc2 家族のアルバム
初歩の日本語(タイ人学生向け)
タイの小学三年生数学学力テスト(国家試験)
タイ語、中国語、ビルマ語
Preliminary Japanese lessons for Thai students
旅行のタイ語学習サイト
ラオ日・日老辞書
妻はタイ人/タイの文化/タイの仏教戒律

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