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

2014年07月

(社説)ミサイル発射 日朝協議でも説得を

July 29, 2014
EDITORIAL: Japan must tell North Korea that its provocations are pointless
(社説)ミサイル発射 日朝協議でも説得を

North Korea has kept up a series of provocative missile launches this year. In its latest test, apparently a political gesture, North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan off its eastern coast on July 26.
 北朝鮮がミサイルやロケット砲の発射実験を繰り返している。先週末も日本海に向けて短距離ミサイルを1発撃った。

North Korea's history of reckless tests of nuclear weapons and missiles caused the U.N. Security Council to tighten international sanctions against the secretive regime.
 北朝鮮は、これまでも核やミサイルの無謀な実験を重ね、国連安全保障理事会から制裁を強められてきた。

Even a short-range missile test is enough to antagonize the international community and deepen Pyongyang's diplomatic isolation. It's time that North Korea came to grips with the absurdity of its actions.
 短距離であってもミサイル発射は国際社会への挑戦であり、自国の孤立を深みに追い込む。その愚かさを悟るべきだ。

Politically, North Korea appears to be trying to exert pressure on the government of South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
 発射の政治的なねらいは、まず韓国の朴槿恵(パククネ)政権を意識したものとみられる。

The Park administration has been beset by a string of serious accidents, crimes and scandals at home, and North Korea seems intent on gaining the upper hand ahead of talks it must have with South Korea sooner or later.
 事件事故や不祥事など国内事情で苦境に立つ朴大統領を圧迫し、いずれ始まる南北協議を有利なかたちで始めたい、とみるのが妥当だろう。

The Park administration has pledged to make efforts to improve the North-South relationship but maintained a hard-line stance toward Pyongyang. This policy has not gone down well in North Korea and blighted prospects for dialogue between the two countries.
 朴政権は対北関係の改善を掲げてはいるが、実際には強硬姿勢を崩していない。そのため、北朝鮮は反発を強めており、対話は軌道に乗っていない。

North Korea has shown that its missiles can reach any part of South Korea. In the meantime, it has announced its intention to send athletes and cheerleaders to the Asian Games in September. The multisport event is slated to be held in South Korea's northwestern city of Incheon.
 北朝鮮は韓国を射程に収めるミサイルを撃ち続ける半面、9月に韓国・仁川で始まるスポーツ行事、アジア大会への選手や応援団の派遣を表明した。

The North has said a “peaceful environment” needs to be created for its participation, implying that it wants scheduled joint military exercises involving the United States and South Korea in August to be called off. The North Korean regime is trying to put pressure on the Park administration by using both a hard and a soft approach.
 だが、そのためには「平和的な環境が整えられるべきだ」とも訴える。来月予定される米韓合同軍事演習の中止を暗に求めるなど、硬軟織り交ぜて朴政権を揺さぶっている。

As it is pursues this diplomatic strategy, North Korea may be seeking to make tactical use of its talks with Japan over Pyongyang’s past abductions of Japanese citizens and other issues.
 そうした対外戦術をめぐらすなかで北朝鮮は、日本人拉致問題などをめぐる日朝協議も利用しようとしている恐れがある。

Pyongyang’s recent missile tests should be considered also as a tactical move to achieve certain diplomatic objectives concerning relations among Tokyo, Washington and Seoul.
 最近のミサイルの発射にも、日米韓をにらんだ思惑がにじんでいるとみるべきだろう。

The Japanese government lodged a protest against the missile tests, but intends to continue holding talks with the North after concluding that they did not pose any immediate threat to Japanese territory or the general population.
But the North’s actions have different security implications for South Korea.
 日本政府は発射に抗議しつつも、日朝協議は続ける意向だ。「ただちに日本の領土や国民に重要な影響をおよぼさない」などとの理由だが、そうした影響評価は韓国とは当然ずれる。

That is why both the United States and South Korea are casting a wary eye on Japan’s plan to continue talks with Pyongyang. At the same time, they have expressed their understanding of Tokyo’s motive.
 日本の協議継続の姿勢に米韓が理解を示しながらも、不安なまなざしを向けるゆえんだ。

The relationship between Japan and South Korea remains deeply strained mainly over differences in their views about history-related issues and a territorial dispute. If the two countries fail to put up a united front in dealing with North Korea, they risk playing right into Pyongyang’s hands.
 ただでさえ歴史認識などで関係が悪い日韓が、北朝鮮政策でも足並みを乱せば、それこそ北朝鮮の思うつぼだろう。

Viewed from another angle, it can be said that Japan is currently the only country that is able to engage in direct, head-on diplomatic talks with the secluded regime in Pyongyang. In the bilateral talks on trying to resolve the abduction issue, Tokyo should keep urging Pyongyang to stop provocative acts like missile launches.
 見方をかえれば、北朝鮮と今、正面から向き合えるパイプを持つのは日本だけだ。拉致問題と並行して、直接対話でミサイルなどの挑発行動をやめるよう求め続けるべきである。

There is speculation that North Korea's foreign minister, Ri Su Yong, will attend a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Myanmar next month. The conference may offer a rare opportunity for Japan to communicate with a high-level official of North Korea.
 来月にミャンマーである東南アジア諸国連合の会合には、北朝鮮の李洙ヨン(リスヨン)外相が出席する可能性が取りざたされる。北朝鮮の高いレベルと意思を交わす機会になるかもしれない。

Japan needs to use its official talks with North Korea wisely in its tenacious efforts to make the regime realize that military provocation is not in its best interest.
 日本は政府間協議の継続をてこに、軍事挑発は北朝鮮のためにならないことをねばり強く説く必要がある。

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 29

(社説)再エネと地域 「主権」育てる好機に

EDITORIAL: Renewable energy promotion a good opportunity to nurture local ‘sovereignty’
(社説)再エネと地域 「主権」育てる好機に

A recent survey jointly conducted by The Asahi Shimbun and Hitotsubashi University has found that 80 percent of municipalities throughout the country that responded to the questionnaire are willing to promote renewable energies for regional development.
 朝日新聞と一橋大学が共同で実施したアンケートで、回答した全国の自治体の8割が再生可能エネルギーの推進に意欲的で、地域振興に役立てようとしていることがわかった。

More than three years have passed since the March 2011 accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. During the period, the local governments have been “deepening” their efforts from moves to review power sources to attempts to reconstruct their areas by themselves.
 福島第一原発の事故から3年以上。発電の方法を見直す動きから、地域を自分たちの手で再構築する試みへと深化しつつある様子がうかがえる。

For example, some municipalities are using the revenue earned from the sale of electricity to electric power companies to operate welfare facilities. Others are increasing local employment by setting up companies to maintain power generation facilities. The number of power plants established by collecting funds from citizens and others in their local areas apparently exceeds 500.
 例えば、電力会社に電気を売って得た収益を福祉施設の運営に回したり、発電設備を維持し保守する会社をつくって雇用創出につなげたり。地域で資金を募って設立する市民共同型の発電所も増え、500を超える勢いだ。

If electricity sales are liberalized in the future, consumers will be able to choose their electric power company or sources of the electricity when they purchase it. To prepare for such a time, some producers in the agricultural, fishery or forestry industries are considering selling electricity directly to consumers in distant areas along with their products.
 いずれ電力が自由化されれば、電力会社や電源を選んで電気を買えるようになる。そんな将来をにらんで、農業や漁業、林業の生産者が遠隔地の消費者とつながり、直売する地場産品の中に、電気も組み込もうという構想も生まれている。

There are also some moves that go beyond conventional economic activities.
 経済活動の枠組みには収まりきらない動きも現れている。

In Minami-Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, which was affected by the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, an organization is operating not only a solar power plant but also a vegetable farm using electricity from the plant. In addition, it is offering learning opportunities to children in those facilities.
 原発被災地となった福島県南相馬市では、太陽光発電所とそこでできた電力を使った植物工場を運営しながら、子どもたちが体験学習できる場がある。

The organization’s representative director, Eiju Hangai, is a former director of Tokyo Electric Power Co., operator of the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant. Minami-Soma is his hometown. Reflecting on the nuclear accident, he started the project. His purpose is to nurture people who think and act for themselves through learning of the mechanism of electricity and how to use it.
 代表理事の半谷栄寿さんは地元出身で東京電力の元役員。事故の反省から事業を起こした。目標とするのは電気の仕組みや活用法の学習を通じて「自分で考え行動する」人材を育てることだという。

So far, the development of electricity sources has tended to separate “people who generate electricity” from “those who use it.” In particular, nuclear power has been generated for urban areas where large amounts of electricity are consumed. Places that can serve as good locations to host nuclear power plants have been limited. Therefore, municipalities that can receive benefits from those plants have also been limited.
 これまでの電源開発は「つくる人」と「使う人」が分かれがちだった。とりわけ原発は、大量に電力を消費する都会向けにつくられてきた。立地条件も限られ、恩恵を受ける「地元」も一部にとどまった。

As for regional development, local governments have so far asked big companies to set up factories in their areas or implemented public works projects with subsidies. One of the typical cases was to ask for construction of nuclear power plants.
 地域振興にしても、これまでは大企業を誘致したり補助金でハコモノをつくったりという他力本願型。その面でも原発誘致は典型だった。

Renewable energies have a technical problem from the standpoint of a stable electricity supply. The feed-in-tariff system, in which electric power companies have to buy electricity from renewable energy producers at fixed prices, also has a defect because consumers have to pay higher electricity rates unless costs to develop electricity sources decline.
 確かに、安定的な電力供給という面では、再生可能エネルギーに技術的な課題は残る。固定価格での買い取り制度も、電源の開発費用が下がらないと料金負担が大きくなる欠点がある。

In spite of that, renewable energies that can be obtained easily in local areas will become catalysts to nurture “sovereignty” in those areas by changing the traditional way of thinking.
 それでも、地域に普通にある資源をいかす再生可能エネルギーは、従来の発想を転換させて、地域に「主権」を育むきっかけになる。

If municipalities promote renewable energy projects, they will face various problems and differences of opinions among residents. How will they overcome those difficulties and obtain understanding from them? It will be testing sites for “small democracies.”
 自分たちで事業を進めれば難題や意見の相違にもぶつかる。どう乗り越え、いかに納得するか。小さな民主主義の実践が積み重なる。

A growing number of people are thinking about energies from the context of their areas and lives. We want to support such a move.
 自分たちの町や生活と関連づけてエネルギーをとらえる機運を歓迎したい。

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 27

ガザ流血拡大 本格停戦への道筋を探りたい

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Concessions needed on both sides to secure durable Gaza ceasefire
ガザ流血拡大 本格停戦への道筋を探りたい

The United States, European countries and the United Nations should act in concert with Middle East nations capable of exercising influence over the warring parties to bring about a long-lasting cessation to ongoing hostilities.
 米国や欧州、国連は、紛争当事者に影響力を持つ中東諸国と連携し、本格的な停戦への道筋をつけてもらいたい。

The shedding of blood has been escalating in the conflict between Hamas, the militant Islamic group that dominates the Gaza Strip, which is part of the Palestine autonomous territories, and Israel. Although both sides temporarily reached a brief ceasefire in the fighting, there are no immediate prospects at all for an end to the conflict.
 パレスチナ自治区ガザを実効支配するイスラム主義組織ハマスとイスラエルの軍事衝突で流血が拡大している。両者は一時的には停戦したが、事態が収拾する見通しは立っていない。

In addition to air strikes, Israeli troops have launched a ground offensive in Gaza. This operation is aimed at finding and destroying Hamas’ large number of underground tunnels crisscrossing the Gaza border. This is because the tunnel network has been exploited for firing rockets and across-the-border assaults by Hamas militants against Israel.
 イスラエル軍は、空爆に加えてガザへの地上侵攻に踏み切った。ガザに張り巡らされた多数の地下トンネルの全面的な破壊を目標としている。トンネル網が、イスラエルへのロケット弾の発射や越境攻撃に利用されているためだ。

As many tunnels have been constructed beneath residential and other civilian facilities, a large number of civilians have been killed. This is a matter of grave concern. The number of people who have been killed on both sides since Israel began its offensive on July 8 has reportedly passed 1,000.
 トンネルは、住宅や民間施設の地下にもあるため、多くの民間人の犠牲者を生んでいる。ゆゆしき事態である。双方の死者は計1000人を超えたという。

The United Nations has strongly condemned the Israeli offensive in which hospitals, schools and evacuation facilities have been attacked, as well as the despicable means Hamas has of employing civilians as human shields in the conflict, as both possibly “amounting to war crimes.”
 国連は、病院や学校、退避施設も対象とするイスラエル軍の攻撃と、民間人を「人間の盾」に使うハマスの卑劣な手段を「戦争犯罪となり得る」と強く非難した。

Israel, which has a firepower overwhelmingly superior to that of Hamas, justifies its offensive as “exercising our right of self-defense.” This is hardly reasonable. At the very least, Israel must avoid attacking civilian facilities. Hamas, for its part, must promptly stop responses that treat human life lightly.
 火力で圧倒的に勝るイスラエルが自国の攻撃を「自衛権の行使」などと正当化する説明には、無理がある。少なくとも、民間施設に対する攻撃は回避すべきだ。ハマスも、人命を軽んじる対応を早急にやめる必要がある。

More efforts essential

Such figures as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon have continued to mediate the situation. On top of their efforts, cooperation not only from the two Arab countries with diplomatic relations with Israel—Egypt and Jordan—but also from countries with influence over Hamas, such as Qatar and Turkey, is indispensable for resolving the crisis.
 ケリー米国務長官や国連の潘基文事務総長が、仲介外交を続けている。イスラエルと国交のあるエジプトやヨルダンに加え、ハマスに影響力を持つカタールやトルコなどの協力が欠かせない。

With many regions in the Middle East being thrown into turmoil because of the civil wars in Syria and Iraq, countries in the environs of Israel and the Gaza Strip have been unable to unite in halting the Gaza conflict. The influence of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah-Sissi, who has regarded Hamas with hostility for years, is considered limited.
 シリアやイラクの内戦などで中東各地が混乱する中、周辺の関係国が結束できずにいる。ハマスを長年敵視してきたエジプトのシシ大統領の影響力も限定的だ。

Prior to the latest 12-hour humanitarian truce, Kerry came out with a proposal for a seven-day lull in fighting so consultations could be held to realize a full-fledged accord on a prolonged ceasefire.
 ケリー長官は、戦闘を1週間停止し、その間に本格停戦に向けた協議を行うとの案を提示した。

Both Israel and Hamas turned down the proposal, but the United States and other countries concerned should persevere. They should tenaciously consider ways to work out a plan acceptable to both Israel and Hamas.
 イスラエルとハマスは提案を拒否したが、米欧や関係国はあきらめず、双方が受け入れ可能な案を粘り強く探ってほしい。

To put a full-scale truce in place, concessions on both sides are essential, with a guarantee of Israel’s security on one hand and steps to help rebuild Gaza, a chronically impoverished region because of a seven-year-long economic blockade by Israel, on the other. The impasse can never be resolved by military power alone.
 本格停戦には、イスラエルに対する安全の保証や、7年に及ぶ経済封鎖で慢性的な困窮状態に置かれたガザの再建に向けた、双方の歩み寄りが欠かせない。軍事力だけでは問題は解決しない。

The fact that Israel and Hamas reached an accord on the truce from a humanitarian viewpoint is praiseworthy, even though it is only for 12 hours. The pause in fighting makes it possible for Gaza residents, including those who have been wounded, to evacuate to safer areas and stock up on such supplies as food and medicine.
 イスラエルとハマスが、12時間の時限的措置とはいえ、人道的観点から戦闘を中断したことは評価できる。これにより、負傷者を含むガザ住民の避難や、食料や医薬品などの搬入が可能になった。

Although there is little room for optimism over what lies ahead, the mutual concessions Israel and Hamas demonstrated this time should be made the first step toward a breakthrough for resolving the Gaza crisis.
 停戦工作の前途は楽観できないが、今回の歩み寄りを問題解決への一歩としなければならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 27, 2014)

朴・舛添会談 国民の心を遠ざけたのは誰か

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Who caused alienation in hearts of Japanese, South Korean people?
朴・舛添会談 国民の心を遠ざけたのは誰か

It was regrettable to see South Korean President Park Geun-hye continue her anti-Japan position of unilaterally criticizing this nation when she met Tokyo Gov.
 歴史問題で一方的に日本を非難する反日姿勢に変化がなかったことは、残念である。

Yoichi Masuzoe for talks in Seoul on Friday.
 韓国の朴槿恵大統領がソウルで、東京都の舛添要一知事と会談した。

Park stressed that the deterioration in Japan-South Korean relations stemmed from the “words and acts of some politicians,” and added that it was necessary for the two nations to share a correct perception of history if they want their relationship to develop. These comments are a repetition of her pet opinion critical of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s historical perception.
 朴氏は、日韓関係の悪化について「一部政治家の言動」が原因だと強調した。関係発展には「正しい歴史認識」の共有が必要だとも語った。安倍首相の歴史観を批判する持論を繰り返したものだ。

Park also indicated that she would put top priority on solving the issue of so-called comfort women, which she said was “a matter related to universal human rights.”
 朴氏は、いわゆる従軍慰安婦問題について「普遍的な人権に関する問題だ」と述べ、その解決を最優先する考えも示した。

Ahead of Masuzoe’s talks with Park, Abe asked him to convey a message to the president. The message said, “The door for dialogue is always open,” indicating his desire to hold a bilateral summit meeting. Park’s comments, however, can be taken to show her continued determination to make the settlement of the comfort women issue and other issues a precondition for meeting with Abe.
 今回の会談に先立ち、安倍首相は「対話のドアは常に開いている」と日韓首脳会談を望むメッセージを舛添氏に託していた。だが、朴氏の発言は、慰安婦問題の解決などを首脳会談の前提条件とし続けたものと受け止められよう。

Park did hail an exchange project under consideration between Tokyo and Seoul and supported a plan for parties concerned to cooperate in hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
 朴氏は、東京・ソウルの自治体交流構想を評価し、東京と平昌の日韓双方の五輪開催に向けて関係者が協力することも支持した。

But such exchanges will inevitably be limited under this abnormal situation, in which Park has been refusing to meet Abe ever since she was inaugurated nearly 1½ years ago.
 しかし、朴氏が就任後、1年半近くも首脳会談を拒否している異常な状況下では、こうした交流にも限界があるだろう。

Park part of the problem

“It’s regrettable that a difficult political situation seems to be alienating [Japanese and South Korean] people’s hearts from each other,” Park said during her talk with Masuzoe. We found it odd for her to speak as if she were not a party to this problem.
 朴氏が会談で、「政治的に困難な状況になり、(日韓の)国民の心まで遠くなっていくようで残念に思う」と人ごとのように語ったことには違和感を覚える。

Her backbiting diplomacy of criticizing Japan in front of foreign dignitaries has provoked ire in Japan. What does she think about her own responsibility for this?
 他国要人の前で日本を批判する朴氏の「告げ口外交」は、日本で強い反発を招いている。自らの責任をどう考えているのか。

After the March summit meeting among Japan, the United States and South Korea, which was mediated by U.S. President Barack Obama, Tokyo and Seoul started talks by foreign affairs officials at the director general level.
 オバマ米大統領の仲介による3月の日米韓首脳会談を受けて、日韓の局長級協議が始まった。

The South Korean officials are seeking concessions from their Japanese counterparts over the comfort women issue, while the Japanese side took up the issue of lawsuits filed by South Koreans conscripted to work in factories in Japan during World War II. No progress has been made in their talks.
 韓国側は、慰安婦問題で日本の譲歩を求め、日本側は、韓国人元徴用工の訴訟問題などを取り上げたが、議論は進んでいない。

Early this month, a Seoul hotel abruptly refused to provide a venue for an event commemorating the inauguration of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, in response to a flood of protests it received after an influential South Korean newspaper blasted the event.
 今月上旬には、ソウルのホテルが突然、自衛隊創設記念行事の開催を拒否する事態が起きた。韓国有力紙が行事を批判したのがきっかけで、ホテルに抗議が殺到したためだという。

This was a result of Park spreading anti-Japanese sentiment throughout South Korean society.
 朴氏が韓国社会に反日ムードを蔓延まんえんさせた結果だろう。

What should not be overlooked is her stance of joining forces with China’s leadership over historical issues. During her talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Park and Xi jointly expressed alarm over recent progress in Japan-North Korean talks.
 看過できないのは、朴氏が歴史問題などで、中国との共闘姿勢を見せていることだ。習近平国家主席との会談では、最近の日本と北朝鮮の協議進展を警戒する点でも、足並みをそろえた。

In addition to North Korean issues, there are many issues that require cooperation between Japan and South Korea, including the conclusion of a bilateral economic partnership agreement and the implementation of measures to deal with air pollution from China. We wonder if Park believes no efforts are necessary to break the impasse over bilateral relations.
 日韓が連携すべき課題は、対北朝鮮政策のほか、日韓自由貿易協定、中国からの大気汚染対策など、数多い。朴氏はこのまま、日韓関係停滞の打開策を探らなくてもいいと考えているのだろうか。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 26, 2014)

中国期限切れ肉 外資企業にも及んだ背信行為

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Expired meat scandal in China a betrayal of Japan’s safety efforts
中国期限切れ肉 外資企業にも及んだ背信行為

Yet again, a problem that greatly damages the trustworthiness of Chinese-made food products has been exposed. This is a matter of enormous concern.
 中国製食品の信頼性を著しく損なう事件が、またも起こった。ゆゆしき事態である。

Shanghai Husi Food Co., a Shanghai-based subsidiary of a major U.S. food processing company, was revealed to have shipped meat products that had passed their expiration dates.
 中国・上海にある米食品加工大手の子会社「上海福喜食品」が、品質保持期限を過ぎた肉製品を出荷していたことが発覚した。

As a result, McDonald’s Co. (Japan) and leading convenience store chain FamilyMart Co., both of which had imported chicken meat from Husi Food, have been forced to suspend sales of some of their products.
 この会社から鶏肉製品を輸入していた日本マクドナルドとファミリーマートが、一部商品の販売中止に追い込まれた。

 Chinese police authorities have concluded that the selling of meat past its sell-by date was the result of illegal production led by Husi Food’s management. They detained five people, including the factory’s quality manager. The full scope of the situation must be elucidated promptly.
 中国当局は、上海福喜食品による組織的な違法生産と断定し、工場責任者ら5人を拘束した。実態解明を急いでもらいたい。

According to the Chinese TV reports that revealed the meat shipping irregularities, the Husi Food factory repackaged meat products that had been returned unsold by turning them into ground meat. The chicken meat, which investigators said required frozen storage, was handled in a warehouse at room temperature.
 問題を暴露した中国のテレビ報道によると、工場では、返品された商品をミンチにして再利用していた。冷凍保存が必要な鶏肉は、常温の倉庫に置かれていた。

Regarding the mixing of out-of-date meat into ordinary ground meat, one factory employee was quoted as making the remarkable assertion, “People won’t die from consuming expired foods.” That sentiment is emblematic of the many words and deeds pointing to the total moral failure at food-processing facilities, where the safety of consumers should have been the absolute top priority.
 従業員は、期限切れの肉を混ぜることについて、「食べても死なない」と言い放った。消費者の安全を最優先すべき食品製造現場のモラル崩壊を象徴する言動だ。

In a 2008 incident in China, baby formula was tainted with a toxic chemical, affecting the health of about 300,000 babies and toddlers. There has been a seemingly uninterrupted stream of food-related problems in China, including the revelation last year of the distribution of rice contaminated with cadmium.
 中国では2008年、粉ミルクに有害物質が混入し、乳幼児約30万人に健康被害が出た。昨年にはカドミウム汚染米の流通が発覚するなど、問題が後を絶たない。

 The tendency to disregard consumers’ health and put profits ahead of all else is likely behind this succession of problems.
 金儲もうけを優先し、消費者の健康を軽視する風潮が背景にあるのは間違いあるまい。

Dependence on China foods

 The Chinese public is extremely dissatisfied with this state of affairs, in which the need for safe food receives little scrutiny. The leadership of the Chinese Communist Party administration, eager to ensure the stability of society, may have found it necessary to hurriedly launch law enforcement investigations into the latest food scandal, aiming to demonstrate the government’s intent to clamp down rigorously on such wrongdoing.
 食の安全がおろそかにされている現状に対し、中国国民の不満は強い。社会の安定に腐心する共産党政権は、不正に厳しく対処する姿勢を示すため、素早く強制捜査に乗り出したのだろう。

What cannot be ignored in the Husi Food case is that the illegal production occurred at the factory of a foreign-capitalized company—one generally believed to operate in a relatively safe manner compared to Chinese-run firms.
 看過できないのは、比較的安全とされた外資企業で違法生産が行われていたことである。

A deliberate poisoning incident in 2008, in which an employee at a Chinese food firm laced frozen gyoza dumplings with pesticide, spurred food processing companies affiliated with Japanese food firms and trading houses to redouble their efforts to enforce strong quality control and ensure the maintenance of a high standard of food safety. In recent years, food imports to Japan from China have been steadily growing.
 従業員が殺虫剤を混入させた08年の中国製冷凍ギョーザ中毒事件を契機に、日系のメーカーや商社は品質管理に一層努め、安全水準を維持してきた。中国からの食品輸入額も回復しつつある。

This incident at Husi Food is an unmistakable betrayal of the work of many on the Japanese side and throws cold water on their food quality crusade.
 今回の事件は、日本側のこうした取り組みに冷や水を浴びせる背信行為と言わざるを得ない。

 The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has ordered the suspension of food imports from Shanghai Husi Food. Over the past year, Japan’s chicken meat imports from the company totaled 6,000 tons. Thorough probes must be conducted to determine whether the firm had previously shipped expired meat, to help alleviate customers’ anxiety.
 厚生労働省は、上海福喜食品からの輸入を差し止めた。過去1年間に輸入された鶏肉製品は6000トンに上る。消費者の不安を軽減するため、期限切れのものがなかったか、徹底調査が必要だ。

The continued existence of Japan’s food industries relies on low-priced ingredients produced in China.
 日本の食産業は今や、中国産の安価な食材なしには成り立たない状況にある。

Companies importing Chinese goods must strengthen their inspection and supervision systems, working from the assumption that people should be deemed dishonest by nature when it comes to food processing in China. These companies may have to take such measures as arranging regular factory visits by officials from Japan for safety checks and installing security cameras in factories.
 輸入企業に求められるのは、中国側の生産工程では不正が起こり得るという性悪説に立った監督・検査体制の強化だ。防犯カメラの設置や、現地に出向いての定期的なチェックは欠かせまい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 25, 2014)

撃墜非難決議 国際調査にはまだ障害がある

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Despite UNSC resolution, investigation of MH17 downing still faces obstacles
撃墜非難決議 国際調査にはまだ障害がある

To ensure that the truth behind this tragic incident can be quickly determined, all parties involved in the conflict and other nations that have a stake in the matter, including Russia, should positively cooperate with an international investigation team.
 悲惨な事件の真相を早期に究明するため、ロシアなど関係国と紛争当事者は国際調査団に積極的に協力すべきだ。

The U.N. Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the shooting down of a Malaysian Airlines passenger plane over eastern Ukraine last week.
 ウクライナ東部で発生したマレーシア航空旅客機の撃墜事件について、国連安全保障理事会が、強く非難する決議を全会一致で採択した。

The resolution called on all states to cooperate fully with efforts to ensure that those responsible for this incident will be held to account. It demanded that pro-Russian militant groups that control the area where the plane came down immediately provide international investigators “safe, secure, full and unrestricted access to the site” and “refrain from any actions that may compromise the integrity of the crash site.”
 決議は、事件の責任者を追及するよう国際社会に呼びかけた。現場を支配する親ロシア派武装集団に対しては、「調査団の安全、完全かつ無制限の立ち入り」と「現場の保存」を要求している。

In the days after the airliner was shot down, armed rebels brazenly interfered with investigators’ efforts to examine the crash site and removed bodies of the victims. Some of their actions appeared to constitute tampering with evidence, such as their quick retrieval of the black boxes that contain flight data and records of communications between the flight crew and others.
 武装集団は事件後、調査団の立ち入りや犠牲者の遺体の搬出を公然と妨害した。飛行データや通信内容を記録した「ブラックボックス」をいち早く現場から回収するなど、証拠隠滅と見られる動きもしてきた。

The Security Council’s adoption of a legally binding resolution demanding the correction of these actions is significant.
 国連安保理が、法的拘束力を持つ決議によって、その行動の是正を求めた意味は小さくない。

The militants accepted the resolution and have handed two black boxes to Malaysian authorities. They have also relented on their initial refusal to hand over the victims’ bodies. Although this has come far too late, they are steps in the right direction.
 武装集団は決議を受け、2個のブラックボックスをマレーシア当局に引き渡した。犠牲者の遺体搬出にも応じた。遅きに失した対応だが、一歩前進ではある。

Ukraine and the United States have criticized the Russian military’s involvement in this incident, including its provision of surface-to-air missiles to the pro-Russian militants. Their accusations are backed by evidence, including satellite images of the missile launch and intercepted conversations and communications between the militants after the plane was shot down.
 ウクライナや米国は、親露派に対する地対空ミサイル供与など、ロシア軍の事件への関与を非難してきた。ミサイル発射の衛星画像や、撃墜後の武装集団の会話傍受記録などを根拠としたものだ。

Onus on Moscow

As the main supporter of the rebels, Russia has an important role to play in the investigation.
 武装集団の後ろ盾であるロシアが果たすべき役割は大きい。

Moscow supported the resolution in an apparent bid to avoid becoming internationally isolated at a time when Britain, France and Germany are considering tightening sanctions on Russia as anti-Russia sentiment grows in Europe, where most of the passengers on Flight MH17 came from.
 ロシアが決議に賛成したのは、多くの犠牲者を出した欧州で反露感情が高まり、英独仏が対露制裁強化を検討する中で、国際的な孤立を回避する狙いからだろう。

However, there is no guarantee efforts to unravel the truth will progress smoothly. Russia continues to say one thing while it does another.
 しかし、真相究明が円滑に進む保証はない。ロシアが言行不一致を続けているためだ。

Although Moscow has indicated its willingness to cooperate with the investigation, it still denies involvement in the incident. It has lambasted Ukraine for permitting civilian aircraft to fly through airspace over a conflict zone as “criminal,” and also has been trying to shift the blame for the downing of the Malaysia Airlines plane.
 ロシアは、調査に協力する姿勢を示しながら、事件への関与を否定している。ウクライナが戦闘地域上空での民間機航行を認めていたことを「犯罪的だ」などと批判し、責任転嫁も図っている。

We think Russian President Vladimir Putin has a responsibility to exercise the influence he wields over the armed groups and supply whatever information he possesses to ensure the international investigation team can get to the bottom of what really happened.
 プーチン露大統領には、国際調査団による真相究明が前進するよう、自らが保有する情報を提供するとともに、武装集団への影響力を行使する責任がある。

The investigation will clarify whether the claims made by Washington and Moscow have reason on their side. The International Civil Aviation Organization and nations caught up in this incident must ensure that a fair, transparent investigation can be conducted.
 米露どちらの主張に理があるかは、調査が明らかにするだろう。関係国や国際民間航空機関(ICAO)は、公平かつ透明な形で調査を進めなければならない。

The Security Council resolution also demanded that all military activities immediately cease in the area surrounding the crash site. Using this opportunity, the Ukrainian military and the pro-Russian armed groups should refrain from hostilities and work toward an immediate ceasefire.
 安保理決議は、現場周辺での軍事活動の停止も訴えた。これを機に、ウクライナ軍と親露派武装集団は戦闘行動を自制し、早期停戦に動くことが求められる。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 23, 2014)

BRICS開銀 欧米主導への対抗軸となるか

note:
Q:
What are the Bretton Woods Institutions?
A:
The Bretton Woods Institutions are the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). They were set up at a meeting of 43 countries in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA in July 1944.
(srachai)

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Can BRICS bank be counterweight to current intl financial order?
BRICS開銀 欧米主導への対抗軸となるか

A recent announcement by the BRICS countries, which have grown in economic stature, can be considered a demonstration of a stance that rivals the international financial order led by the United States and European countries.
 経済力を増した新興国が、欧米主導の国際金融秩序に対抗姿勢を示したと言えよう。

The BRICS emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa—decided at a recent group summit to create a new development bank.
 ブラジル、ロシア、インド、中国、南アフリカの新興5か国(BRICS)首脳会議は、「新開発銀行」を創設することを決定した。

The new bank is intended to fund infrastructure projects in emerging economies and developing countries, with each of the five countries contributing $10 billion. The bank will be headquartered in Shanghai, and its first president will be from India.
 新興国や途上国による社会基盤(インフラ)整備などを支援するのが目的で、5か国が100億ドルずつ出資する。中国の上海に本部を置き、初代総裁はインドの出身者が務めることになった。

In addition to the planned development bank, the BRICS countries have also agreed to create a joint foreign reserve fund of $100 billion. The fund will assist these countries, by providing a well of foreign currency at the time of a future financial crisis.
 新開銀とは別に、金融危機の際に外貨融通などの支援を行えるようにするため、1000億ドルを共同で積み立てる外貨準備基金を設けることでも合意した。

With their growing presence, the attempt by these economies to take on important roles in assisting developing countries and maintaining the international financial order warrants recognition.
 存在感を増す新興国が、途上国支援や国際金融秩序の維持に一定の役割を果たそうとしていることは評価できる。

Behind the creation of the new development bank lies a strong sense of discontent among emerging and developing countries over the current U.S.- and Europe-led international financial order.
 新開銀設立の背景には、欧米の主導する現在の国際金融秩序に、新興・途上国が強い不満を持っているという事情がある。

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have long contributed to the world’s economic system, such as by assisting developing countries and working to check financial crises.
 国際通貨基金(IMF)や世界銀行は長年、途上国の支援や危機回避に貢献してきた。

Yet in crucial times, such as Asia’s currency crisis in the 1990s, the two institutions imposed fiscal austerity and other strict conditions on developing countries, which led these countries to feel strongly dissatisfied over the institutions’ lack of consideration for their particular circumstances.
 しかし、1990年代のアジア通貨危機などの際に緊縮財政など厳しい条件を課したことから、途上国では各国の事情への配慮が足りないとする批判が根強い。

Lack of weight

The BRICS powers have grown to account for about 20 percent of the global economy, and for around 40 percent of the world’s population. Yet their combined contributions to the IMF, which reflect the force of their voices in the institution, constitute only 11 percent of the IMF’s total funding. The BRICS have also expressed opposition to the lack of weight they carry in the IMF.
 BRICSは経済規模で世界の約2割、人口で約4割を占めるまでに成長したが、IMFでの発言力を示す出資比率は、BRICS全体で11%にとどまる。これにも新興国は反発している。

The IMF has compiled a reform plan to raise the contribution ratio of the BRICS to 14 percent, but, due to opposition from the United States and other countries, this plan has yet to be realized.
 IMFは比率を14%に引き上げる改革案をまとめたが、米国などの反対で実現していない。

It is necessary to promote IMF reform from the viewpoint of allowing the emerging economies to assume responsibility proportional to their economic might.
 新興国に応分の責任を果たしてもらうためにも、IMF改革を進展させる必要がある。

It remains to be seen whether these two new multilateral institutions can function as the Bretton Woods institutions have been doing.
 ただ、新開銀などがIMF体制のような機能を発揮できるかどうかは未知数だ。

The BRICS countries have not specified when these institutions will be established, and uncertainty remains over the concrete frameworks through which they will extend financial assistance.
 設立時期さえ明示されず、金融支援などの具体的な枠組みも、あいまいである。

It would be troublesome if the new development bank were to attach importance solely to expanding the natural resource interests or corporate profits of contributing countries, and to extend financial assistance without careful consideration.
 新開銀が出資国の資源権益や企業利益の拡大ばかり重視し、安易に支援するようでは困る。

There is also a likelihood that lax screening on loans and investments by the bank could lead to a massive increase of irrecoverable loans and investments, which would upset the international financial system.
甘い審査が原因で巨額の投融資が焦げ付き、国際金融システムを混乱させることにもなりかねない。

No assistance should be extended to countries beset with records of suppressing human rights and overdevelopment of natural resources. Highly transparent management is a must for the new bank.
 人権弾圧や乱開発など問題の多い国への援助も避けるべきだ。透明性の高い運営が求められる。

The BRICS countries are by no means a monolithic group.
The territory dispute between China and India is just one example of their differences.
 中国とインドが領土問題を抱えるなど、BRICS諸国は一枚岩ではない。

It is also questionable whether the members can deal with financial crises and other problems through close cooperation.
金融危機などの緊急事態に、緊密に連携して対処できるかどうかも疑問である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 22, 2014)

大陸棚延長 戦略的に海洋資源を開発せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Tap Japan’s extended continental shelf for strategic development of resources
大陸棚延長 戦略的に海洋資源を開発せよ

A move has been taken that is highly important for further consolidating Japan’s status as a maritime nation.
 海洋立国としての立場を一段と強固にするうえで、重要な前進だ。

The government has decided to lay down an ordinance to designate two sea areas, including the area north of the island of Okinotorishima, which constitutes the southern extremity of the country, as part of the nation’s continental shelf. The ordinance will cover further two areas, such as that in the vicinity of the Ogasawara Islands, after consulting with the United States on the matter.
 政府は、日本最南端・沖ノ鳥島の北方など2か所の海域を、日本の大陸棚として政令で定めることを決めた。小笠原諸島周辺など2か所も米国と調整したうえで、政令に規定する予定だ。

The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea stipulates that each coastal state has sovereign rights over an area 200 nautical miles from the coastline as its continental shelf for exploring and developing resources, such as those on the seabed, and for other purposes. It is possible for a state under the convention to expand the limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles if and when it can prove that the extended continental shelf can be construed as having formed naturally.
 国連海洋法条約は、沿岸から200カイリまでを大陸棚とし、海底の資源開発などに関する沿岸国の主権的な権利を認めている。自然な地続きであると証明できれば、200カイリを超えて延長できる。

The government’s plans for designating the continental shelf this time are in the wake of the acknowledgement in April 2012 by the U.N. Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) that the expansion of the limits of the nation’s continental shelf should be recognized as valid.
 政府が今回制定する大陸棚は、一昨年4月に国連の大陸棚限界委員会から延長を認められた。

The total area to be covered by the expansion of the nation’s continental shelf will stand at an estimated 310,000 square kilometers, equivalent to about 80 percent of the nation’s entire land area. It is said precious resources exist on the continental shelf including methane hydrate, which contains natural gas. The expansion of the oceanic interests of Japan, a country poor in natural resources, is definitely of high significance.
 総面積は計31万平方キロ・メートルに及び、日本の国土の約8割にも相当する。大陸棚には、天然ガスを含有するメタンハイドレートなどの貴重な資源が存在するとされる。資源の乏しい日本が、海洋権益を広げる意義は大きい。

Commenting on the continental shelf expansion, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stressed, “It is possible that the resources from the expanded sea areas will have a great impact on the future of Japan.” It is also important from the viewpoint of ensuring this country’s energy security.
 安倍首相は「広い海からもたらされる資源は、日本の未来を切り開く可能性を秘めている」と強調している。エネルギー安全保障の観点でも重要である。

Objections from China, ROK

Resource developmental projects on the seabed, however, are extremely expensive and many technological challenges exist. Long-term plans should be formulated at the initiative of the government.
 ただ、海底での資源開発は、巨額の費用を要し、技術的な課題も多い。政府主導による長期的な取り組みが必要である。

The CLCS, meanwhile, has been postponing judgment of Japan’s application seeking the U.N. body’s acknowledgement of the nation’s expansion of the continental shelf of the Southern Kyushu-Palau Ridge Region located to the south of Okinotorishima. This is because China and South Korea have opposed Japan’s submission of the application, claiming that Okinotorishima should not be deemed an island but “rocks,” meaning that it should not be considered a base point for determining the limits of Japan’s continental shelf.
 一方、大陸棚限界委員会は、沖ノ鳥島の南方にある「九州パラオ海嶺南部海域」の大陸棚延長申請について結論を先送りしている。中国と韓国が「沖ノ鳥島は『島』でなく『岩』で、大陸棚の基点にならない」と反対したためだ。

Under the circumstances, the government should appeal to the international community to support the legitimacy of Japan’s assertion about the continental shelf expansion.
 政府は国際社会に、日本の主張の正当性を訴えていくべきだ。

Around Okinotorishima is a vast exclusive economic zone, providing Japan with a wealth of marine products and seabed resources. The government should forge ahead with the task of preserving the island by pushing ahead with such projects as port and harbor construction.
 沖ノ鳥島の周囲には、広大な排他的経済水域(EEZ)が広がり、水産・海底資源を日本にもたらしている。政府は、港湾施設の整備などを進め、島を確実に保全することが肝要である。

China’s heavy-handed maritime advances are not limited to the East China and South China seas, but have been spreading to the western Pacific region. It has been pointed out that there is a possibility Beijing, on the strength of extending support for construction projects of ports and harbors to island states in the region, might build naval bases there in the future. Through these moves, China most likely has taken into account the U.S. military base on Guam.
 中国の強引な海洋進出は、東・南シナ海にとどまらず、西太平洋に及ぶ。島嶼(とうしょ)国の港湾整備を支援し、将来、中国海軍の拠点とする可能性も指摘される。グアムの米軍基地をにらんだ動きである。

Beefing up Japan’s efforts to ensure adequate oceanic administration in the seas in the environs of Okinotorishima, as well as such islands as Minami-Torishima and the Ogasawara Islands, will certainly have strategic significance on holding China’s moves in check.
 日本が沖ノ鳥島や南鳥島、小笠原諸島の周辺海域で適切な海洋管理に努めることが、中国に対する戦略的なけん制効果を持とう。

In April last year, the government laid down the Basic Plan on Ocean Policy that is intended to serve as the basis of maritime measures for a period of five years. The plan sets key policy goals, including development of maritime resources, preservation and administration of remote islands, and technological development projects for oceanic, renewable energy sources.
 政府は昨年4月、5年間の海洋政策の基本方針となる「海洋基本計画」を定めた。海洋資源開発や離島の保全・管理、海洋での再生可能エネルギーの技術開発などを重点的に推進する内容だ。

By working closely with the private sector, the government should address these objectives from a broad range of perspectives.
 民間とも緊密に連携し、多角的に取り組むべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 21, 2014)

南シナ海情勢 掘削を中止させた対中包囲網

The Yomiuri Shimbun
International pressure forced China to stop oil drilling in South China Sea
南シナ海情勢 掘削を中止させた対中包囲網

In the face of fierce criticism from the international community, China perhaps had no choice but to suspend its attempt to “change the status quo by force” when it ended its operations to drill for oil near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.
 強い国際的な批判を受けて、「力による現状変更」を中断せざるを得なかったのだろう。
 中国が、南シナ海・パラセル(西沙)諸島付近での石油掘削作業を終了した。

The operations were originally scheduled to continue through mid-August but ended earlier because “work proceeded smoothly,” according to China’s explanation. Undoubtedly, however, China bowed to the international pressures and curtailed the operations.
 作業は当初、8月中旬までとされていた。中国は「作業が順調に終わった」と説明するが、実際は、対中包囲網が作業短縮の要因だったのは間違いあるまい。

In early May, China unilaterally started drilling for oil in a sea zone also claimed by Vietnam, which strongly urged it to halt its operations. Chinese and Vietnamese vessels rammed into one another repeatedly, sinking a Vietnamese boat in one instance and escalating the tension to a dangerous level.
 中国がベトナムとの係争海域で一方的に掘削を始めたのは5月初旬だ。ベトナムは強く中止を求めた。中越双方の船が衝突を繰り返し、ベトナム船が沈没するなど、一時は危険な状態に陥った。

Large-scale anti-China demonstrations erupted in Vietnam one after another, while its government waged an international campaign denouncing China for its unjustness. Perhaps China had not expected that Vietnam—increasingly becoming economically dependent on China—would put up such fierce resistance.
 ベトナムは、中国の不当性を国際社会に訴え、大規模な反中デモも続発した。中国は、経済面で対中依存を強めるベトナムの抵抗が、これほど激しいとは予測していなかったのではないか。

Exposing a greater miscalculation by China was the fact that Japan, the United States and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations swiftly rallied behind Vietnam to strengthen their cooperation to counter China.
 更に大きな誤算は、日米両国や、東南アジア諸国連合(ASEAN)などによる対中連携が一気に強まったことだろう。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe criticized China for its self-righteousness at international conferences and on other occasions by repeatedly underscoring the importance of the rule of law in light of China’s territorial claims, which have no grounds in international law. His assertions were widely accepted in the international community.
 安倍首相は国際会議などで、中国の独善的な行動を批判した。領有権を巡る中国の主張に国際法上の根拠がないことを念頭に、「法の支配」の重要性を繰り返し強調し、幅広い賛同を得た。

Stronger Japan-U.S. ties backed

Strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance through the approval of the exercise of the right of collective self-defense has won the support of many countries concerned.
 集団的自衛権の行使容認を通じた日米同盟の強化も、関係国の支持を集めている。

With its policy of focusing on Asia, the United States made it clear it is willing to actively engage in South China Sea issues. At a time when Beijing is trying to exclude the United States from building an Asian security order, it is significant that the United States is squarely challenging such Chinese endeavors.
 「アジア重視」政策を掲げる米国も、南シナ海問題に積極的に関与する姿勢を明確にした。中国がアジアの安保秩序から米国の排除をうかがう中、その意図を正面から否定する意義は大きい。

At their foreign ministerial talks in May, ASEAN members—whose stances toward China usually differ—took the concerted action of expressing “serious concerns” about the dangerous situation in the South China Sea.
 普段は対中姿勢がばらつくASEAN各国も外相会議で、南シナ海の危険な状況に「深刻な懸念」を表明し、共同歩調を取った。

China’s isolation could not have been any clearer.
 中国の孤立は明らかだった。

A series of international meetings awaits China. The ASEAN Regional Forum, which will be joined by Japan, the United States and China, will be held early next month, while China will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting in Beijing in November.
 来月上旬には、日米中も参加するASEAN地域フォーラム(ARF)が開かれる。11月には、中国が北京でアジア太平洋経済協力会議(APEC)首脳会議を主宰する予定だ。

China apparently wants to avoid being the target of criticism in these forums. Some observers predict that the country will exercise self-restraint for the time being.
 中国には、こうした場で対中批判が集中する事態を避けたい思惑があろう。当面は、抑制的な行動を取るとの見方も出ている。

Even so, China will surely not change its strategy of expanding its territories and maritime interests in the South and East China seas.
 しかし、南・東シナ海で自らの領土や海洋権益の拡大を図る中国の海洋進出戦略は変わるまい。

Japan and the United States must brace themselves for a prolonged, hegemonic campaign by China.
 日米両国は、中国の覇権的な行動は長期化すると覚悟すべきだ。

It is notable, however, that accumulated efforts by the international community have borne some fruit this time around. Factoring this experience in, the nations concerned should try to persuade China to constructively participate in an initiative to build a new Asian order.
今回、国際的な連携の積み重ねが一定の成果を上げた。この経験を踏まえつつ、新たなアジア秩序作りに、中国を建設的な形で参加させていくことが求められよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 20, 2014)

ウクライナ撃墜 真相究明の国際調査が急務だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
International investigation critical to discovering truth in MH17 tragedy
ウクライナ撃墜 真相究明の国際調査が急務だ

Innocent civilians have been caught up in a terrible tragedy in conflict-torn Ukraine.
 紛争の続くウクライナで、無辜むこの民間人を巻き込む大惨事が起きた。

The international community must stand united and quickly get to the bottom of what happened.
 国際社会が連携し、真相の究明を急がなければならない。

In eastern Ukraine, an area effectively controlled by pro-Russian militants, a Malaysian Airlines jet that was flying at an altitude of 10,000 meters crashed on Thursday. All 298 passengers and crew aboard the plane died.
 親ロシア派の武装集団が実効支配するウクライナ東部で、1万メートルの上空を飛んでいたマレーシア航空機が墜落し、乗客・乗員298人全員が死亡した。

Ukrainian authorities have determined that the pro-Russian insurgents launched a Soviet surface-to-air missile, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has condemned the incident as “an act of terrorism.” There are reportedly records of communications between the separatists and a Russian officer, which has fueled suspicions of Russian military involvement.
 ウクライナ当局は、親露派武装集団が旧ソ連製の地対空ミサイルを発射したと断定し、ポロシェンコ大統領は「テロリストが撃墜した」と糾弾した。武装集団が露将校に連絡した形跡もあり、ロシア軍の関与が疑われるという。

The insurgents and the Ukrainian military have frequently clashed in the region where the civilian airliner crashed. A Ukrainian military transport plane and a fighter jet also were shot down in the area recently. Observers have suggested that the militants possibly launched the missile after mistaking Flight MH17 for a Ukrainian military aircraft.
 この地域では、武装集団とウクライナ軍が日常的に衝突を繰り返している。最近はウクライナ軍の輸送機や戦闘機などが相次いで撃墜されていた。武装集団が旅客機をウクライナ軍機と見誤って攻撃した可能性も指摘される。

The rebels have claimed that Kiev’s armed forces shot down the airliner. However, the United States found the missile was fired from an area under rebel control. The United States detected the missile tracking toward the plane based on its satellite data and other information, and analyzed where it was launched from.
 武装集団は「ウクライナ軍による撃墜だ」と主張している。だが、米国が人工衛星の情報などで、旅客機を追尾するミサイルをとらえ、発射地点を解析したところ、武装集団の支配地域から放たれたミサイルだったという。

Poroshenko has decided to set up a commission to investigate the incident. Experts from Malaysia and the International Civil Aviation Organization will participate in the commission, and the United States has indicated it plans to cooperate.
 ポロシェンコ大統領は、調査委員会の設置を決めた。国際民間航空機関(ICAO)やマレーシアの専門家も参加し、米国も協力する方針を示している。

Probe needs full support

Collection and analysis of fragments of the missile and the black boxes that recorded flight data of the airliner will provide major clues for determining the truth behind the attack.
 ミサイルの破片や、旅客機の飛行データを記録した「ブラックボックス」の回収・分析が、解明の大きな手がかりとなる。

U.S. President Barack Obama has urged Poroshenko to safeguard all the evidence at the crash site. This is an appropriate response, given the need to prevent interference with the investigation and destruction of the evidence.
 オバマ米大統領は、ポロシェンコ大統領に、現場での証拠をすべて保全するよう促した。証拠隠滅や調査妨害を防ぐうえで適切な対応と言えよう。

It is essential that the investigation team and its experts are given access to the crash site area and are allowed to conduct their examination properly. The militants should heed calls for a ceasefire and guarantee the safety of the investigators.
 専門家を含む調査団が、墜落現場周辺に立ち入って、十分な活動を行えるようにすることが欠かせない。武装集団は停戦に応じ、調査団の安全を保証するべきだ。

The U.N. Security Council held an emergency meeting and issued a statement calling for an “international investigation.” It is important that this investigation be transparent and independent. Nations affected by this incident, not least Russia, also will need to provide full cooperation to the investigation.
 国連安全保障理事会は緊急会合を開き、国際機関による調査を求める声明を発表した。独立性と透明性を確保することが重要だ。ロシアをはじめ関係国も、調査への全面的な協力が求められる。

Political maneuvering is intensifying among nations affected by the crash. The United States and the European Union had only just tightened sanctions on Russia over its violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
 関係国の駆け引きも激化している。米国と欧州連合(EU)は、ロシアがウクライナの主権を侵害しているとして、対露制裁を強化したばかりだ。

Shortly before the airliner crashed, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met with Poroshenko and other officials, and pledged to continue Japan’s assistance to Ukraine. We hope Japan will cooperate to ensure the stability of Ukraine and help establish conditions that will ensure there is no repeat of the Flight MH17 tragedy.
 岸田外相は墜落の直前、ポロシェンコ大統領らと会談し、ウクライナ支援の継続を表明した。日本もウクライナの安定化に協力し、こうした悲劇を繰り返さないための環境作りに関与したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 19, 2014)

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

最新コメント
記事検索
seesaa100 英字新聞s HPs

スラチャイの家族紹介
私の家族

スラチャイの手作りリンク集
スラチャイタイ在住14年目
New!中国語会話基礎(北京語)他
タイ日辞典(単語帳)
タイ語の子音
タイ語の母音
スラチャイ編曲のmidiのギター曲
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
初歩のタイ語
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
タイ文字
タイ日辞書
タイ語の副詞
タイ語の前置詞
タイ語の助動詞
タイ語の接続詞

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)
seesaaサイト内リンク一覧:
第01番目の戒律
第02番目の戒律
第03番目の戒律
第04番目の戒律
第05番目の戒律
第06番目の戒律
第07番目の戒律
第08番目の戒律
第09番目の戒律
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

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
第02番目の戒律
第03番目の戒律
第04番目の戒律
第05番目の戒律
第06番目の戒律
第07番目の戒律
第08番目の戒律
第09番目の戒律
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


[ 英字新聞リンク ]
yahoo geolog
yaplog
worldpress
teacup
jugem
hatena
@word
blogger
biglobe
excite
a8
so-net
ameblo
wox
rakuten
ninja
seesaa
goo
fc2
yahoo
livedoor
dreamlog

[ 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

  • ライブドアブログ