September 14, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: The meaning of a 'perspective unique to women'
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:「女性ならでは」の意味　／東京

The new Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was launched on Sept. 3. He appointed a record-tying five women to ministerial positions, and has established a new post -- minister in charge of promoting women's active participation. He told a news conference that he hopes the new women ministers make creative changes from a "perspective unique to women." I think the latest ministerial appointment reflects the prime minister's policies on encouraging women in the workforce.
第２次安倍改造内閣が発足した。女性閣僚は過去最多の５人、新たに「女性活躍担当相」も置かれることになり、安倍晋三首相は記者会見で「女性ならではの目線で旋風を巻き起こしてほしい」と語った。「輝く女性応援会議」を開催するなど、女性の活用に積極的な首相ならではの人事だと思う。

In addition, the Cabinet Office has recently invited women of different ages to a meeting to discuss women's participation in the workplace.

But what I don't quite understand is what Prime Minister Abe means by a "perspective unique to women."
ただここで気になるのは、首相の言う「女性ならでは」とはどういう意味だろう、ということだ。

Abe's wife First Lady Akie talked passionately about "peace-making from a women's perspective" at a seminar last year in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, which was hosted by a local women's group. She went on to say, "Women are straightforward, driven by their instincts. Men want to rationalize themselves."
首相自身の発言ではないが、夫人の昭恵さんは昨年、山口県下関市で行われた女性団体主催の講演で「女性ならではの平和の作り方をしていきたい」と意気込みを語った。同じ講演では「私のように直感で一直線にいけるのが女性。理屈が必要なのが男性」とも述べており、

I believe what First Lady Akie meant by "women's peace-making" was that women "don't want wars, but want to protect lives and get along with foreign countries" -- a straightforward way of thinking about peace -- and I am all for that.
おそらく「女性ならではの平和」は「戦争はイヤ、命は大切、外国とも仲良くしたい、とストレートに感じて求める平和」と考えてよいのだろう。それには全面的に賛成したい。

So, when her husband says making "creative changes from a perspective unique to women," is he saying that he means what she said?
安倍首相の言う「女性ならではの目線での旋風」も、同じ意味なのだろうか。

Women in general value people's lives and health, as well as community and solidarity, and they care for the weak. They feel that what they need is a feeling of security, rather than surviving through fierce competition, and that people of all kinds need to get along. Those are the beliefs that are unique to women, as women have been forced into a socially vulnerable position and struggled for a long time in a man's world.
外交のかけ引き、経済戦略や各分野とのしがらみを度外視してでも、「厳しい競争より、安心して生活できるのがいちばん」「どんな人たちとも分け隔てなく、仲良くやっていきましょうよ」などと命や健康、人との交流や連帯、弱者への配慮を理屈抜きに大切にする。それが、いわゆる“男社会”で長い間、弱い立場に置かれ、苦労してきた女性たちならではの視点と言えるはずだ。

Some of the new women ministers, however, have made bitter remarks toward neighboring Asian countries. At least one minister has said she became a politician to "defend Japan's honor." Of course, I'm not saying that these comments would directly affect their duties as ministers, but I can't help questioning their position, because they don't necessarily appear to care about the weak or minorities. They seem to lack a cooperative attitude of "let's get along and help each other."
ところが、今回入閣した女性大臣たちの中には、地方での講演で「私が議員になったのは、日本の名誉を守りたいから」と断言したり、アジアの国々に手厳しい発言を繰り返したりする人もいる。もちろんそれが直接、大臣としての執務に影響するとは言えないが、決してその目が、少数者や弱者のほうを向いているとは言えなかったり、「みんな仲良く」「助け合って」という協調路線ではなかったりするように思うのだ。

I wonder what kind of "perspective" Prime Minister Abe expects from these women ministers.
首相は、そういった女性閣僚たちにどんな「女性ならではの目線」を期待しようとしているのだろう。

I see many women at my clinic who suffer from problems that particularly affect women, such as poverty, domestic violence and enduring stress from taking care of their elderly parents. I sincerely hope that these women ministers take notice of less fortunate women and help them survive in difficult times.
診察室には、貧困や夫からの暴力、介護ストレスなど「女性ならではの問題」で苦しむ人が大勢やって来る。今回、入閣した女性大臣たちの目が少しでも彼女たちのほうに向けられ、その苦しみが解決に向かうようサポートしてもらいたい、と願っている。（精神科医）

(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞　2014年09月09日　地方版

September 13, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: LDP's selfishness exposed in friction over electoral reform
社説:参院選挙改革　自民の身勝手さに驚く

It has been said that achieving consensus over reform of the electoral system for the House of Councillors is no easy task. But the utter confusion within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leaves us dumbfounded.
元々、合意は難しいと言われていたが、ここまで混乱するとはあきれるばかりだ。参院の選挙制度改革をめぐる自民党の話だ。
   
Masashi Waki, an LDP legislator who heads a consultative body on electoral reform for the upper house, laid out a new reform plan at a meeting of the panel on Sept. 11. The consultative body comprises both ruling and opposition party members, focusing on how to correct vote-value disparities among upper house constituencies.
経過はこうである。参院選挙区の「１票の格差」是正策を与野党で検討している参院選挙制度協議会の１１日の会合で脇雅史座長（自民党）が新たな案を各党に提示した。

Waki's proposal, however, met a backlash from within the LDP. The following day, the party decided to dismiss him from the post of secretary-general of its upper house caucus. Waki is also expected to be ousted as head of the consultative body.
ところが足元の自民党の反発は収まらず、１２日には脇氏を参院自民党幹事長から外す更迭人事を決定。協議会の座長も交代する見通しで、

The ruling and opposition camps are now likely to face difficulties reaching an agreement over the issue by the end of the year -- the initial target deadline. The incident exposes the LDP's selfishness and reluctance to engage in electoral reform.
この結果、目標としていた年内の与野党合意は難しい状況となっている。自民党の身勝手さとやる気のなさが明らかになったといっていいだろう。

At the Sept. 11 meeting, Waki proposed a plan to merge 10 prefectural constituencies into five electoral districts -- modifying an original plan to integrate 22 prefectural constituencies into 11 electoral zones. However, LDP legislators -- especially those whose electoral districts were to be affected by the plan -- expressed dissatisfaction with the proposal.
脇氏が１１日提示したのは参院選挙区の１０県を５区に合区する案で、２２府県を１１選挙区に統合するとの当初案を修正したものだ。しかし、肝心の自民党は議席減となる関係選挙区の議員を中心に合区案そのものに対する不満は変わらなかった。

When Waki first presented the proposal of merging upper house constituencies, Kensei Mizote, head of the LDP's upper house caucus, reportedly resisted, saying, "This is the first that I've heard of it." His response reveals a fundamental lack of intra-party coordination within the LDP.
今春、脇氏が合区案を最初に示した際、同じ参院自民党幹部の溝手顕正参院議員会長は「初めて聞いた」と反発したという。当初から党内調整はずさんだったということだ。

So far, the party has produced no workable alternative. It cannot escape criticism that its legislators, with their vested interests, are inherently reluctant to implement electoral reform.
しかも現状では自民党に合区案に代わる有力案があるわけでもない。これではそもそも自分たちが不利益をこうむる選挙制度改革自体に後ろ向きだと見られても仕方があるまい。

Ahead of the recent Cabinet reshuffle, there was a move within the LDP's upper house caucus to have Waki appointed as a Cabinet minister, in order to unseat him from the head of the consultative body on electoral reform. The attempt to oust Waki failed after he refused the proposed appointment. The idea of linking a ministerial appointment to legislators' own electoral interests leaves us astonished.
合区案に突き進む脇氏を外すためだったのだろう。先の内閣改造に際しては一時、参院自民党内に脇氏を入閣させ協議会座長から降ろす動きがあった。脇氏が入閣を拒否して見送られたが、議員自らの選挙事情と閣僚人事をからめる発想にも驚く。

The merger proposal may not be the best plan, but it is one possible method to rectify vote-value disparities among electoral districts. Some opposition party members have voiced support for the plan. Even within the LDP, a number have reportedly endorsed the plan, saying they may have no other choice. Waki, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have made sufficient efforts to ease conflict within the LDP, as all he did was to denounce Mizote and other opponents of the plan.
合区案は私たちもベストとは考えていないが、格差是正の一つの方法ではある。野党の中には賛成する意見も出ており、実は自民党内にも「結局、合区案しかないのでは」との声があるという。一方の脇氏も溝手氏らを非難するだけで党内の取りまとめに努力したとは思えない。

The Supreme Court has ruled that the 2010 upper house election was held "in a state of unconstitutionality." A supplementary provision was subsequently added to the revised Public Offices Election Law, stating that a drastic review of the electoral system would be carried out ahead of the next upper house election to be called in 2016. However, the Diet has thus far only taken the stop-gap measure of reducing the number of seats in the most sparsely populated constituencies by four and increasing that in the most densely populated districts by four. There is little time left to conduct drastic electoral reform for the upper chamber.
参院選挙区の１票の格差に関しては最高裁が４年前の参院選挙について「違憲状態」との判断を下している。これを受け再来年の次の参院選までに制度の抜本的な見直しを図ることが改正公職選挙法の付則に記された。だが、これまで選挙区定数を「４増４減」する応急措置にとどまっており、抜本改革は待ったなしだ。

In the meantime, a third-party advisory panel to the speaker of the House of Representatives has started discussing reform of the lower house electoral system. This has sparked criticism from Waki and other LDP members. They say it is irresponsible for lawmakers to leave their own electoral system in the hands of a third-party organization. The members stressed that upper house legislators were carrying out reforms "on their own."
衆院の選挙制度改革では議長の諮問機関による協議がスタートした。脇氏ら参院側は「自らの選挙制度について第三者機関に委ねるのは国会議員として無責任だ」と衆院を批判し、「自前」の改革をアピールしていたはずだ。

Now, however, it seems that the upper chamber will also end up having to outsource the task to a third-party body, as the LDP is making no ground in coordinating the opinions of its members.
自民党が意見をまとめられないとすれば、参院も第三者に委ねるしかなくなるだろう。

毎日新聞　2014年09月13日　02時32分

September 12, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Nuclear plants cannot rely on luck
社説:吉田調書公開　次は「幸運」に頼れない

A document detailing testimony by the late former head of the tsunami-hit Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant conveys the terror of the serious accident at the atomic power station that occurred 3 1/2 years ago.
原発過酷事故の恐ろしさが３年半たった今も生の言葉から伝わってくる。

The record of the government fact-finding panel's hearing of Masao Yoshida, former head of the power plant, over the accident has been released along with those on interviews with 18 others.
東京電力福島第１原発の事故当時の所長、吉田昌郎氏が政府の事故調査・検証委員会のヒアリングに答えた「吉田調書」が、他の１８人分の調書とともに公開された。
   
The document quotes Yoshida as saying, "Nobody came to help us," "Necessary supplies didn't reach us," and "there was a wide perception gap between the plant, the Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) headquarters and the prime minister's office."
「誰も助けにこなかった」「必要な物資が届かない」「現場と東電本店や官邸の認識の差が大きい」。

Both power companies including TEPCO and the government should pay close attention to Yoshida's testimony and clarify whether each problem he pointed out has been improved.
電力会社も政府も、吉田氏の訴えに再度耳を傾け、それが改善されているか、ひとつずつチェックすべきだ。

When the nuclear disaster broke out, the biggest challenge Yoshida and other workers encountered was to inject water into the plant's reactors, and they were asking for outside help. However, no one extended substantive or effective assistance to the plant. A lot of equipment that plant workers needed, such as power-supply vehicles, batteries, fire engines and diesel fuel, reached a nearby supply depot, but there was nobody who was able to transport the supplies to the power station. As a result, workers at the plant were forced to come to the depot to pick up the supplies despite a serious shortage of personnel at the power station. Such a frustrating situation is apparently attributable to high radiation levels inside the plant.
事故当時、吉田氏らの最大の課題は原子炉に水を入れることであり、外からの支援も求めていた。しかし、実質的で効果的な助けはなかなかこなかった。電源車、バッテリー、消防車、軽油など現場が必要とする資材も途中の基地まではくるが、運ぶ人がいない。結果的に人手が足りない現場から取りに行かざるを得なかった。こうしたもどかしい状況が生じた理由は、現場の放射線量が高かったためと考えられる。

Power companies are primarily responsible for dealing with any accident at power plants they operate. Regardless, it is imperative to address in advance how to support workers at a nuclear power plant where radiation levels have surged in case of a serious nuclear accident and how the national and local governments, the Self-Defense Forces and firefighters should cooperate in responding to the accident.
事故対策は一義的には電力会社の責任だとしても、過酷事故が起きた場合、放射線量の高い現場をどう支援するのか。政府や自治体、自衛隊、消防などがどう連携するのか。きちんと解決しておかなくてはならない重要課題だ。

During the hearing, Yoshida repeatedly pointed out a perception gap between plant workers, the TEPCO headquarters and the prime minister's office. The headquarters and the prime minister's office did not understand the situation of the plant at the time of the accident. As such, the headquarters ordered plant workers to stop injecting sea water in the reactors at the strong urging of the prime minister's office, obstructing worker's efforts to bring the crisis under control instead of extending support to the workers. The central government and utilities should clearly show whether they have implemented remedial measures to prevent a recurrence of such a problem.
東電本店や官邸との認識の隔たりについても、吉田氏は繰り返し述べている。本店や官邸は現場の状況を理解せず、支援するどころか、官邸の意向をくんだ本店が海水注入の停止を命じるなど妨害さえした。そんなことが起きないための改善策をきちんと講じているのか、政府や電力会社は明確に示してほしい。

The government stiffened regulatory standards for nuclear plants following the accident but emphasis is primarily placed on the hardware aspect. It is necessary to verify how far countermeasures in the software aspect, such as information and personnel, the flow of supplies and the chain of command, have been taken.
事故後、規制基準は厳しくなったが、主としてハード面に重きが置かれてきた。情報や人、物資の流れ、指揮命令系統といったソフト面の対策がどこまできちんとなされたか、さらなる検証が必要だ。

Yoshida, who faced a difficult response to the crisis in which the plant's No. 1 to 4 reactors fell into critical condition, pointed out problems involving the concentration of nuclear plants in small areas. However, Japan still faces risks arising from multiple nuclear plants in many areas, and it is necessary to seriously consider how to rectify the situation.
１〜４号機が次々に危機的状況に陥る中で困難な対応を迫られた吉田氏は、原発の集中立地の問題も指摘している。しかし、現実には日本の原発は複数立地のリスクを抱えたままであり、もっと真剣に改善策を考えなくてはならない。

Yoshida's testimony suggests that the Fukushima No. 1 plant barely evaded a further catastrophe thanks to good luck.
調書からは、これほどの惨事もある意味で「幸運」に支えられており、さらなる大惨事を紙一重で免れたことも感じとれる。

Recalling the critical situation in which workers had been unable to inject water into the No. 2 reactor over an extended period, Yoshida was quoted as saying, "We were afraid that all radioactive substances would leak and spread. We visualized all of eastern Japan being devastated."
水が入れられない状況が続いた２号機について吉田氏は、「放射性物質が全部出て、まき散らしてしまう。我々のイメージは東日本壊滅」とさえ述べている。

Keeping in mind that the worst-case scenario cannot be prevented by good luck, the government and power suppliers that are aiming to reactivate idled nuclear plants should learn lessons from the Yoshida testimony and all documents released by the government's fact-finding panel.
原発再稼働を目指す政府や電力会社は、「次の幸運はない」と肝に銘じてほしい。その上で、吉田調書をはじめとする事故調の資料からあらゆる教訓を学びとるべきだ。

毎日新聞　2014年09月12日　02時30分

September 11, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Move to restart reactors without sufficient debate a huge mistake
社説:川内原発再稼働　なし崩し的に進めるな

The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has approved a screening document giving the No. 1 and 2 reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co.'s Sendai Nuclear Power Plant a pass under new screening standards -- a first in Japan.
九州電力川内（せんだい）原発１、２号機（鹿児島県薩摩川内市）の安全審査で、原子力規制委員会は新規制基準への合格証となる審査書を決定した。全国の原発で初めてだ。

The power company is now stepping up efforts to gain local consent to restart the reactors. But many issues have been left unaddressed, and we cannot accept reactivation without proper debate on these issues.
九電は再稼働に向け、地元への同意手続きを本格化させる。しかし、多くの課題が残されたままで、なし崩し的に再稼働を進めることは認められない。
   
Two months before the screening document was adopted, the Mainichi Shimbun proposed two minimum conditions for restarting the reactors: preparing a way to curb damage to residents based on lessons learned from the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and having the government outline a roadmap for eliminating dependence on nuclear power and clarify where the reactivation of nuclear reactors is positioned within the nation's overall energy strategy.
私たちは審査書案がまとまった２カ月前に、次の二つを再稼働の最低条件として挙げた。福島第１原発事故を教訓に、住民の被害を食い止める手立てを整えておくこと。政府が脱原発依存の道筋を描いた上で、エネルギー政策全体の中に再稼働をどう位置付けるか明示することだ。

This month the government sent workers to Kagoshima Prefecture, among other areas, to help formulate evacuation plans that would be implemented in the event of a nuclear accident. It is also considering making power companies present maintenance plans for aging reactors and urging utilities to reach a decision on whether to decommission or extend the life of their reactors.
政府は今月に入り、鹿児島県などに職員を派遣し、事故に備えた避難計画の策定支援に乗り出した。電力会社に老朽化した原発の整備計画を提出させ、稼働延長か廃炉かの決断を促すことも検討している。

But these measures have come too late, and even if they guarantee the effectiveness of evacuation plans, we still have no outline of how the nation can free itself from reliance on nuclear power.
だが、これらの対応は遅すぎたほどで、避難計画の実効性確保も、脱原発依存の道筋を描くこともできていない。

The government says it plans to proceed with restarting nuclear power plants that have passed NRA screening. But it has not explained how it plans to obtain the consent it needs from local bodies for the plants to go into operation.
政府は、規制委の審査に合格した原発の再稼働を進める方針を掲げるが、そのために必要な地元同意を得る手順も示さないままだ。

Under current rules, power companies must obtain consent from prefectural governments, as well as cities, towns or villages, where the nuclear power plants are located. But that leaves restarting nuclear reactors entirely in the hands of power companies and local bodies.
現行ルールでは、電力会社が原発立地県や立地市町村の同意を得れば再稼働できる。しかし、それでは、再稼働の判断を電力会社と地元自治体に丸投げすることになる。

Kagoshima Gov. Yuichiro Ito has asked the government to state in writing why it is necessary to reactivate the Sendai plant's nuclear reactors. In doing so he has expressed the position that the government bears responsibility for restarting the reactors. The government intends to comply, but this must not end up a mere ceremony.
鹿児島県の伊藤祐一郎知事は政府に、再稼働の必要性を文書で示すよう要請した。再稼働を判断する責任は国にあるという態度表明だ。政府も応じる考えだが、単なるセレモニーに終わらせてはならない。

It is feared that if nuclear power plants are not restarted, then imports of fossil fuels will be pushed up, which could negatively affect the economy. But the risk of accidents that goes hand in hand with reactivation of nuclear reactors remains. So why are officials deciding to restart these reactors? Are we perfectly prepared for any accident that could occur?
原発が稼働しなければ化石燃料の輸入増加が続き、経済への影響が懸念される。だが、原発稼働に伴う事故のリスクは残ったままだ。そうした中で再稼働をなぜ決断するのか。事故が起きた時の態勢は万全か。

The government has a responsibility to spend time explaining the issue to the public, deepen discussion, and reflect this in its policies.
政府は国民に説明を重ね、議論を深め、政策に反映する責務がある。

When proceeding to gain consent for reactivation from local bodies, the government must deeply respect the opinions not only of the municipalities where the reactors are located, but also those within a 30-kilometer radius of the nuclear power plant, where evacuation plans must be prepared.
再稼働の同意手続きに際しては、立地市町村に加え、避難計画の策定を義務付けられた原発３０キロ圏の市町村の意見を最大限尊重すべきだ。

In July, the municipal assembly of the city of Aira, which lies within 30 kilometers of the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant, expressed opposition to restarting the plant's reactors, stating that residents felt uneasy about evacuation plans. It approved a document calling for the reactors to be decommissioned. In the Kagoshima Prefecture city of Ichikikushikino, meanwhile, more than half of the city's residents signed a petition opposing reactivation.
川内原発から３０キロ圏の姶良（あいら）市議会は７月、「住民は避難計画に不安を持っている」として川内原発の再稼働に反対し、廃炉を求める意見書を可決した。いちき串木野市では住民の半数を上回る再稼働反対署名が集まった。

However, as is the case with the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant and many other nuclear facilities, there exists no mechanism enabling the opinions of residents in these neighboring municipalities to be reflected in decisions on whether or not nuclear reactors should be restarted.
しかし、川内をはじめ多くの原発では、こうした近隣市町村の意見を再稼働の判断に反映する仕組みがない。

Municipalities hosting nuclear power plants tend to favor reactivation due to the strong economic ties they have to those plants. If the government and power companies are hoping they can restrict consent for activation of nuclear power plants to as small a sphere as possible, then they are making a huge mistake.
経済面で原発との結びつきが強い立地市町村は再稼働を望みがちだ。同意の範囲をなるべく狭く抑えたいと政府や電力会社が考えているとしたら、大きな間違いだ。

毎日新聞　2014年09月11日　02時35分

September 10, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Nishikori makes history at U.S. Open
社説:全米テニス　歴史を刻んだ錦織選手

In an essay shortly before he graduated from elementary school and moved to the United States at age 13, Kei Nishikori wrote that his dream was to be the world champion in tennis. Nishikori has added a new page in the history of tennis although he will have to wait a bit longer for his dream to maybe come true.
１３歳で単身渡米する前、少年は小学校の卒業作文に「ぼくの夢」は「世界チャンピオン」と書いた。その夢は持ち越しとなったが、歴史に新たなページを刻んだ。

Nishikori, 24, was overwhelmed by the powerful serve of Croatia's 25-year-old Marin Cilic in the final of the U.S. Open. After the match, Nishikori said "it wasn't my best tennis," and apologized for failing to win the trophy. However, he does not have to apologize. He should be proud that he became the first Japanese tennis player to advance to the final of a singles event at one of the four major tennis championships -- the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
テニスの全米オープン最終日。男子シングルス決勝に進んだ２４歳の錦織圭選手は２５歳のチリッチ選手（クロアチア）の強烈なサーブに圧倒された。試合後、錦織選手は「自分のテニスができなかった。（優勝）トロフィーを獲得できず申し訳ない」と話した。頭を下げる必要はない。４大大会（全豪、全仏、ウィンブルドン、全米）でシングルスの決勝コートに日本選手として初めて立ったことを誇りに思ってほしい。

Nishikori was not highly evaluated before the tournament began. He underwent surgery to his right big toe in early August, and expressed concern about the condition of the toe at a news conference prior to the event. However, he won his more than four-hour-long fourth match by beating one of the world's top-ranked players and won the quarterfinal with his tenacious play, becoming the first Japanese tennis player in 96 years to advance to the semifinal. He then won the semifinal by stunning favorite Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
大会前の評判は高くなかった。８月初旬、右足親指にメスを入れ、開幕前の記者会見では本人も不安をもらしていた。世界ランキング上位の相手に４時間を超える戦いとなった４回戦と準々決勝は粘り強いプレーでものにした。日本選手として全米では９６年ぶりの進出となった準決勝では世界ランク１位のジョコビッチ選手（セルビア）を破った。

In recent years, the men's tennis world has been dominated by top four players led by Djokovic. This time, Nishikori joined the top-ranked players along with Cilic, who won a major championship for the first time, possibly changing the rankings in the men's tennis world dramatically.
男子テニス界は近年、ジョコビッチ選手を中心に４強時代が続いてきた。錦織選手はそこに、準決勝で世界ランク３位のフェデラー選手（スイス）を倒すなどして４大大会で初優勝したチリッチ選手とともに割って入った格好だ。世界の勢力図が変わるかもしれない。

Nishikori told a news conference following the final that he hopes to advance to the finals of a major tournament again. His international ranking has risen from 11th prior to the game to eighth. The public can place high expectations on the possibility that his dream will come true next season or beyond.
記者会見で錦織選手は「また４大大会の決勝に戻ってきたい」と言った。世界ランクは大会前の１１位から自己最高の８位に上がった。来季以降、夢の実現に期待したい。

Nishikori's outstanding performance at the U.S. Open has also shed light on the great Japanese players of yesteryear. 　歴史に埋もれていた日本の偉大なプレーヤーたちに光を当てたことも錦織選手の功績だろう。

Many people have learned that Japanese tennis had its golden age from the late 1910s to the 1930s. Ichiya Kumagai became the first Japanese player to advance to the semifinal of the U.S. Open in 1918. Zenzo Shimizu played in the semifinals of Wimbledon while Jiro Sato made it to the semifinals of the French Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open.
日本選手が４大大会でベスト４に進んだのは１９１８（大正７）年全米の熊谷一弥が初めて。その後、清水善造がウィンブルドン、佐藤次郎が全仏、ウィンブルドン、全豪で４強入りするなど日本テニス界は１９３０年代にかけて黄金期を迎えていたことを多くの人たちが知った。

Nishikori is not the only Japanese player who performed outstandingly in the latest U.S. Open. Kimiko Date-Krumm, 43, advanced to the semifinals of women's doubles for the first time, and made it to the semifinals of women's singles -- for the third time in a major championship. Date retired from tennis at the age of 26 but made a comeback in 2008 at age 37 after getting married. Many people apparently sympathize with Date who says she enjoys both tennis and her private life.
今大会は錦織選手だけではない。４３歳のクルム伊達公子選手は女子ダブルスで４大大会自身初のベスト４に。４大大会のシングルスで３度の４強入りを果たし、２６歳で現役引退した後、結婚を経て２００８年、３７歳でカムバックした。「テニスと人生を楽しんでいる」という彼女の姿に共感を覚える人も多いだろう。

Shingo Kunieda, 30, won the championship in wheelchair men's singles -- for the first time in three years and fifth time overall -- while Yui Kamiji, 20, won her first championship in wheelchair women's singles. Both of them also won doubles. Their performances tended to be overwhelmed by Nishikori's play during the competition, but their achievements should also be highly praised.
車いすの部ではシングルスで男子の国枝慎吾選手（３０）が３年ぶり５回目、女子の上地結衣（かみじ・ゆい）選手（２０）が初優勝を果たしている。２人はダブルスも制し、２冠を達成した。錦織選手の活躍の陰に隠れがちだったが、その快挙を改めてたたえたい。

毎日新聞　2014年09月10日　02時32分

September 09, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Emperor Showa's annals important material for modern history
社説:昭和天皇実録　国民に開く近現代史に

The Imperial Household Agency has released the annals of Emperor Showa that records his words and deeds throughout his 87-year-long life. The official record has provided an important temporal axis for research on the history of Emperor Showa, but it is still necessary to clarify the true meaning of, and evaluate the significance of his words and deeds. The release of the annals should be an important step toward fruitful research on the history of the Showa Era that is open to the public.
８７年の生涯にわたり、日々の動静や言行を記録した「昭和天皇実録」を宮内庁が公開した。昭和史研究は重要な「時間軸」を得たが、個々の事象の意義づけや実態解明にはまだ余地を残している。これを大きなステップとして、国民に開かれた実り豊かな研究へとつなげたい。

Modern history, including the history of the Showa Era, is complex just like a maze in a deep forest. The annals of Emperor Showa were expected to shed light on how he made decisions at various stages of that era, what he said and how he changed, or was unable to change, certain situations.
昭和史など近現代史は深い森に分け入る迷路のように複雑だ。昭和天皇がその中のさまざまな局面でどう判断し、何を語り、事態を動かしたか、あるいは動かし得なかったか。こうしたことに新たに光を当てる期待も担った実録だった。

However, the 60-volume annals contain nothing that could overturn what are regarded as established historical facts.
だが、６０巻に上る記録には、これまで定説とされてきた史実や構図を大きく変えるものはなかった。

◇平和求める像変わらず

Based on constitutional monarchy under the Meiji Constitution, Emperor Showa was wary of the military's tyrannical behavior and had some feuds with the military because he hoped for peace, according to the annals. As such, the record confirms the well-established image of Emperor Showa.
立憲君主制の自制的ルールに立ちつつ、軍部の専横を警戒し、平和を求めて確執もあったという、これまでの昭和天皇像を改めて示したといえるだろう。

Still, it may be somewhat disappointing to those who expected the annals to reveal Emperor Showa's anguish and wavering as well as other details.
しかし、その苦悩や迷い、錯誤も含め、もっと具体的に細部にわたる内情や事態の推移がここに明らかになることを求めていたなら、「期待はずれ」の感を持った人も少なくないだろう。

The annals quote Emperor Showa and describe how he expressed his views in a restrained manner.
この実録は、昭和天皇の肉声や見解表明の記述について抑制的姿勢を通している。

None of Emperor Showa's words were blacked out, as opposed to the annals of his father Emperor Taisho. However, some researchers have pointed to the possibility that the editor of the annals of Emperor Showa may have chosen to use non-committal descriptions instead of blacking out any of his words it quotes.
大正天皇実録で公開時に一部を伏せて批判された「黒塗り」はしない、としていたが、むしろそれで当たり障りのない記述に傾いたきらいはないか、と指摘する研究者もいる。

Regarding this point, the Imperial Household Agency explained, "Once the details of his remarks are written in his annals, the words have wings. We cautiously considered each of his words and chose mainly to write the points of his remarks instead of directly quoting him."
この点について宮内庁は「発言内容にしても、いったん書いてしまうと、実録に書かれているということでひとり歩きする。個別に慎重に検討し、原則、（昭和天皇の）ご発言についてはその趣旨を記述して、直接引用しない傾向となった」と説明している。

However, the editor could have made up for a lack of direct quotes from Emperor Showa by explaining what he said in notes. Moreover, some of what are widely regarded as his well-known words are omitted in his annals.
しかし、注釈などで工夫の余地はあるはずだ。これまで定説とされてきたような発言でも実録に用いられなかったものもある。

Some critics say that the standards for selecting historical materials and deciding whether to record events in his annals remain obscure, with one of them saying, "The selection appears arbitrary and is hard to understand."
また、史料の選択、採否の線引き、基準があいまいで、「恣意（しい）的なようで、とてもわかりにくい」という批判が出ている。

There are problems with the way the sources of information are identified. The annals do not show the dates, pages and chapters of books from which it quotes information, making it difficult for researchers to assess the official record or conduct further research on the history of Emperor Showa.
典拠の示し方についても問題がある。列記してある文献の日付やページ、章、節などがないため、それがどの部分によっているのか判然としない。これでは後に検証や発展的な研究をしようとしても、大きなネックになる。

One of the most important achievements in the annals is the discovery of new historical materials, which will certainly contribute to future research activities.
今回の実録の大きな収穫の一つは新史料の発見である。これは今後の研究発展に寄与するに違いない。

A total of 3,152 historical materials were used to compile the official record, which took nearly a quarter of a century to complete, according to the Imperial Household Agency. About 40 of these materials are believed to be documents that had not been publicized before the release of the annals.
宮内庁によると、四半世紀近い年月を費やした実録の作成過程で、使った史料は３１５２件に上った。そのうち、約４０件がこれまで公になっていなかったとみられる。

For example, the diary and other materials kept by former Grand Chamberlain Saburo Hyakutake, who served Emperor Showa during World War II, can be important research objects. Moreover, diaries kept by other chamberlains shed light on Emperor Showa's daily activities.
例えば、戦時期に側近として仕え、昭和天皇の信頼を得ていた百武三郎侍従長の日記や関係資料など、新史料自体が重要な研究対象になり得る。また侍従日誌なども日常の動静記録に大きな役割を果たした。
   
Measures to release these materials to the public and effectively use them for research should be implemented without being bound by precedent. The Imperial Household Agency intends to withhold chamberlains' diaries without designating them as official documents. Still, the annals are important records.
その公開や研究協力などによって生かす方策を、前例にとらわれることなく講じるべきだろう。侍従日誌などは皇室が管理する「お手元文書」として公文書扱いせず、公開されないというが、今回その貴重な記録性は証明された。

◇なぜいま昭和史なのか

The Showa Era is already part of history. What happened in that era has been regularly discussed in the past, and the annals of Emperor Showa have drawn extensive attention from the public.
「昭和」は既に歴史である。
その時代が後世も絶えず論じられてきた。そうした中で今回は実録が広く注目された。

Why do we look back on the history of the Showa Era and try to learn from that period? It is because many challenges we face now are rooted in that era. The challenges involve not only politics, diplomacy and the economy but also a wide diversity of matters including lifestyles and values.
なぜ私たちが昭和史を絶えず振り返り、そこから学び取ろうとするのだろうか。今の時代が抱える大きな課題の根っこが、昭和にあるからだ。政治、外交、経済のみならず、生活様式や価値観まで多岐にわたる。

Moreover, we must continue to ask why Japan was unable to avoid the catastrophic war. In the annals, one of the important points that have drawn special attention from the public is the change in the situation concerning Japan before and after the war broke out. However, the matter is far from being clarified.
そして、続けなければならないのは「なぜ、あの破滅的な戦争は回避できなかったのか」という問いかけである。この実録の中でも、開戦前後の事態の推移がとりわけ注目されたポイントの一つだった。しかし解明にはまだ遠い。

The annals should be open to the public as a source that allows people to learn lessons from the Showa Era and put them to good use in the future all the more because the number of those who were involved in or experienced the war, which brought unprecedented hardships and changes to both Japan and the world, have significantly decreased.
まして、国内外に空前の苦難と大転換をもたらした戦争の当事者や体験者が少なくなった今、実録を、昭和に学び、未来に生かす基礎史料として国民に開かれたものとしたい。

The process of Japan snowballing from crisis to crisis and eventually collapsing in the war is complex and difficult to clarify. However, clarifying this process would provide important lessons for us.
あの戦争で、坂道を転じるように、雪だるま式に危機を膨らませ破綻したプロセスは、決して単線的ではなく、その解明は容易ではない。しかし、それは今極めて重要な教訓になるものである。

There are various ways of utilizing the annals.
実録の活用法はさまざまにある。

It records the names of those who were allowed to meet with Emperor Showa as well as the details of their meetings. Although the purposes of their meetings are summarized or omitted, the names of individuals who met with Emperor Showa, the timing of their meetings and the frequency and how much time was spent on the meetings could be a clue to in-depth research.
実録は、日々の昭和天皇の「謁を賜った」さまざまな会見者、会話者を、時間とともに詳しく記録している。その用件は略記、あるいは省略されていても、時期と人物、回数、費やした時間などを指標に深層探究の糸口となり得るという。

The writings of Emperor Showa in his childhood, as well as the wide variety of Japanese and overseas films he enjoyed, which the annals introduce to its readers, shed more light on his human side. This is also an important achievement of the annals.
また、今回、実録で紹介された昭和天皇の幼少期の文章、鑑賞した数多い内外の映画などから、人間的な側面もより多彩になった。こうした側面も成果といえよう。

It goes without saying that journalism has the responsibility to ensure that information recorded in the annals is open to the public so that researchers study the Showa Era from various angles and people can share the information as common property.
開かれた情報のもと、実録の多様な切り口から研究を豊かにし、国民共有の財産とする。
その責任が研究者のみならず、ジャーナリズムにあることはいうまでもない。

毎日新聞　2014年09月09日　05時15分（最終更新　09月09日　06時48分）

September 08, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Volcanic threat no light matter for Japan's nuclear plant operators
社説:原発と火山災害　巨大噴火を侮るなかれ

The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has released a "basic concept" for dealing with major volcanic eruptions threatening the nation's nuclear power plants. If abnormal volcanic activity posing a threat is detected near a nuclear plant, the regulatory body will ask the power company in charge to halt the plant's reactors and remove nuclear fuel -- even if it might turn out to be a false alarm. The NRA is set to convene a meeting of experts to determine standards for taking such action.
原発に影響を及ぼす巨大噴火に備えた「基本的な考え方」の案を原子力規制委員会が示した。前兆の可能性がある異常を検知したら、「空振りも覚悟の上」で原子炉の停止や燃料の運び出しを電力会社に求める。そのための判断基準についても、有識者を集め、検討を進めるという。

Experts are aligned on the view that the No. 1 and 2 reactors at Kyushu Electric Power Co.'s Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima -- recently judged by the NRA to meet new safety standards -- together face the greatest risk of being damaged in a major volcanic eruption. This should have been considered before the plant underwent safety screenings. Japan is one of the most volcanic countries in the world, and neither the NRA nor the nations' power companies should make light of the threat of eruptions.
規制委が新規制基準に適合していると判断した九州電力川内１、２号機（鹿児島県）は、巨大噴火に襲われる危険性が全国の原発の中で最も高い、というのが専門家の一致した見方だ。本来なら原発の安全審査の前に、こうした検討を進めておくべきだった。日本は世界有数の火山国であり、規制委や電力会社は、噴火の脅威を侮ってはならない。

The landscape around the Sendai plant is marked by calderas -- cauldron-like geographical features that form when a large amount of magma spews out from under the ground, causing it to collapse. Mount Aso and Kagoshima Bay are two examples. In Japan, a major caldera-forming eruption is said to occur about once every 10,000 years.
川内原発周辺には、阿蘇や鹿児島湾など、マグマの大量噴出で土地が陥没したカルデラ地形が複数ある。日本ではカルデラ式の巨大噴火が１万年に１回程度起きている。

Nuclear safety regulations established last year require power companies to conduct surveys on the possible effects of eruptions of volcanoes located within 160 kilometers of any nuclear power plant. Under the regulations, if there is a chance that an eruption could occur while the plant is in operation and produce a pyroclastic or lava flow that reaches the plant, then the land will be deemed unfit for nuclear power generation, and the plant will not be able to operate.
昨年施行された原発の新規制基準は、原発から１６０キロ圏の火山の影響調査を電力会社に義務付けた。運用期間中に噴火が起き、火砕流や溶岩流が到達する恐れがあれば、立地不適格で原発は稼働できない。

Kyushu Electric Power Co. has said the chance of such an eruption occurring while reactors at the Sendai plant are in operation is "sufficiently low." It says the plant could endure an eruption of the Sakurajima volcano that produced 15 centimeters of volcanic ash. Additionally, it says that even if a major eruption were to occur, then magma would build up several decades in advance, and if changes in the earth's crust were observed, then officials could perceive the danger.
九電は、川内原発の運用期間中にそうした噴火が起きる「可能性は十分低い」と評価し、桜島の噴火で火山灰が１５センチ積もる場合を想定すれば足りるとした。巨大噴火が起きるとしても、数十年前からマグマの蓄積が生じるので、地殻変動などを監視すれば事前に察知できるという。

In its safety evaluation, the NRA basically accepted Kyushu Electric Power Co.'s arguments.
規制委は安全審査で、九電の考え方を基本的に了承した。

However, during a subsequent meeting of experts, it was pointed out that it is difficult to predict the size and timing of a major eruption. An opinion was also put forward that measures should not be left entirely in the hands of power companies but be addressed at the national level.
しかし、その後開かれた規制委の有識者検討会では「巨大噴火の時期や規模の予知は困難」との指摘が相次いだ。原発に影響する火山活動の監視では「電力会社任せにせず、国レベルの体制を作るべきだ」との意見も出された。

There are many nuclear facilities around Japan that could be affected by volcanic eruptions. The Sendai Nuclear Power Plant is a benchmark for those facilities in measures against eruptions.
噴火の影響を受ける恐れのある原子力関連施設は日本各地にある。川内原発は、それらの施設の火山対策の試金石となる。

NRA Commissioner Kunihiko Shimazaki, who currently serves as acting chairman of the regulator, says he doesn't know how far the body can go in setting standards for decisions pertaining to major eruptions. But unless officials remain on the safe side when forming standards, there could well be confusion when responding to an abnormality. 　規制委の島崎邦彦委員長代理は、巨大噴火に関する判断基準の策定について「どこまでできるか分からない」と述べた。だが、安全サイドに立った基準をあらかじめ作成しておかなければ、異常が検知された時の対応に混乱が生じかねない。

Of course, if a major eruption does occur, it could threaten Japan's very existence.
そもそも、巨大噴火が起きれば日本という国の存亡にかかわる。

In May last year, a Cabinet Office panel advised that monitoring be stepped up and evacuation plans quickly formulated, due to fears that volcanic activity could increase as a result of the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. At the same time, delays in research on major eruptions have been pointed out.
内閣府の検討会は昨年５月、東日本大震災をきっかけに火山活動が活発化する恐れがあるとし、監視体制の強化や避難計画の早期策定を提言した。巨大噴火に関する研究の遅れも指摘している。

To avoid an "unexpected event" such as the Fukushima nuclear disaster, we hope officials will take NRA's planned formulation of standards for its decisions as an opportunity to promote research and countermeasures against major volcanic eruptions.
「想定外」を避けるためにも、規制委による判断基準の検討を、巨大噴火に関する研究や対策を促進する契機としたい。

毎日新聞　2014年09月08日　02時32分

September 07, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Fear of an invisible threat
香山リカのココロの万華鏡:目に見えない敵は怖い？　／東京

For the first time in 70 years, cases of dengue fever have been confirmed originating within Japan.
７０年ぶりに国内での発症が確認されたデング熱。

There are said to be around 100 million new cases of dengue fever around the world a year, and hundreds of people are believed to bring cases of the diseases into Japan every year after catching it in tropical climates. However, the recent cases that have made the news are said to be the first instances in post-World War II Japan for people who had not traveled abroad.
とはいっても、世界では年間約１億人が発症しており、日本でも熱帯地域などへの海外旅行で感染し、国内で発症する人は毎年数百人はいるのではないかといわれる。今回は渡航歴もないのに発症したのが戦後初めてということなのだ。

People needn't be excessively worried, as dengue fever does not pass directly between people, and most who catch the disease recover from their symptoms in around a week. Mosquitos are believed to be the source of the recent infections, and workers have conducted large-scale spraying with insecticide in Yoyogi Park, where the infected mosquitoes are thought to be. Looking at the imposing footage of these workers doing their job, some people have probably conjured up images of the Ebola pandemic, and become anxious.
しかも、人から人への感染はなく、たいていは１週間ほどで自然治癒するので、必要以上に警戒することはないはずだ。感染源とされる蚊が生息する代々木公園では大規模な殺虫剤散布などが行われたが、そのものものしい映像を見ると世界でのエボラ出血熱の流行を連想してしまい、それだけで不安になる人もいるのではないか。

A big reason why we sometimes become unnecessarily scared by infectious diseases like dengue fever is because we can't see the viruses that are behind them. We can protect ourselves from traffic accidents by looking both ways before we cross the road, but when it comes to viruses and bacteria, it is not so simple. There are probably people who, no matter how much they wash their hands, worry that they still have bacteria or viruses somewhere that they missed.
こういった感染症に対して私たちが時として必要以上の恐怖を感じる大きな理由は、感染をひき起こすウイルスが目に見えないことにある。自動車事故にあわないためには、まわりをよく見て道路を横断するなどの対策が打てるが、相手が細菌やウイルスとなるとそうもいかない。いくら手を洗ってもまだどこかについているのではないか、と心配がつのるばかり、という人もいるだろう。

There are also scam artists who take advantage of people's fear of invisible threats. "Termites are trying to eat away the foundations of your house," they may lie, proceeding to charge a heavy fee for termite extermination. There is also a continuing problem with scam artists who will tell people they are cursed by the ghosts of their ancestors, even if they cannot see them, and sell them various things to "lift the curse."
こういった“目に見えない敵の恐怖”を悪用した詐欺もある。「おたくの家の土台を白アリが食いつくそうとしている」などと事実とは異なることを言っておどし、高い駆除代を取ろうとするニセ業者。「あなたには見えないかもしれないが、先祖の霊がついている」などと告げ、除霊のための品々を買わせる霊感商法もいまだに問題となっている。

The victims of these scams may originally dismiss the scam artists' claims, but since the "threat" is invisible, they start to doubt themselves and then wonder whether even though they can't see anything, maybe the scam artists can. In the end they are tricked into paying extraordinary sums to deal with the imagined threat.
いずれも、そう持ちかけられた人は最初は「そんなバカな」と思っていても、次第に「敵が見えないのだから、ウソとも言えない」と疑い始め、ついには「あの人には見えているのかも」と信じて法外なお金を払って駆除や除霊を頼んでしまうのだ。

Of course, unlike with these scams, dengue fever is a real threat, so we shouldn't treat it in the same way. However, if we become neurotic, we will be scared just by going outdoors, and our health can deteriorate just by thinking we are infected. As for the media, it is important to release correct information, and I would like the media to refrain from posting lots of big pictures of mosquitos, or workers spraying insecticide in the darkness just because they are photos with "impact." Meanwhile, we should all keep in mind that an invisible threat is twice as scary just for being invisible.
もちろん、デング熱はこういったインチキとは異なる実際の病なのだから、安易にいっしょにすることはできない。しかし、あまり神経質になりすぎると、外に出るだけで恐怖を感じたり、「もう感染したのでは」と体調がすぐれなくなったりすることもありうる。報道機関に対しても、正しい知識の伝達は大切だが、「インパクトがあるから」という理由だけで蚊を大写しにした写真や闇の中で駆除作業をする光景の写真を多用するのは控えてほしい、と思う。“敵”が目に見えないものはそれだけで恐怖が倍増する、という原則を、私たちも心にとめておきたいものだ。

(By Rika Kayama, psychiatrist)
毎日新聞　2014年09月02日　地方版

September 06, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Time still left to review maglev line
社説:リニア建設　本当に進めて大丈夫か

Plans to build a magnetically levitated (maglev) bullet train line that will eventually connect Tokyo and Osaka have moved a step forward with Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Central) applying to the land, infrastructure, transport and tourism minister for permission for construction.
ＪＲ東海が国土交通相に着工の認可を申請したことで、リニア中央新幹線がいよいよ現実味を帯びてきた。
   
JR Central plans to begin operations on the Maglev Chuo Shinkansen Line between Tokyo's Shinagawa Station and Nagoya in 2027 and extend the line to Shin-Osaka Station by 2045. The line would cut the journey between Tokyo and Osaka down to one hour.

If permitted, the large-scale project will finally get under way 41 years after the central government mapped out its basic plan.
認可が下りれば、国による基本計画決定から４１年を経て、巨大プロジェクトが動き出すことになる。

However, questions remain over whether the project should be given the green light without a review.
だが、本当にこのまま突き進んでよいのか、と改めて問いたい。

JR Central intends to fully foot the costs of the project, which are expected to total approximately 9 trillion yen. Critics have expressed concern as to the profitability of the "super-superexpress" line.
２０２７年の品川−名古屋開業、４５年の品川−新大阪開業を目指すリニア中央新幹線計画は、総事業費が約９兆円に上る異例のスケールだ。ＪＲ東海が全費用をまかなうというが、採算面で大きな不安を抱えたまま、踏み出そうとしている。

If the maglev train line were to threaten the company's management, it would not just be a problem for JR Central alone, but could force the national government to use taxpayers' money to bail out the company, since the project is of a highly public nature.
万一、経営を揺るがす事態になれば、ＪＲ東海だけの問題ではすまなくなるだろう。日本の大動脈を独占的に担う、極めて公共性の高い企業であり、税金を使った救済にも発展しかねない。

Nevertheless, the Diet has failed to hold comprehensive deliberations on the project and there has been no full-scale national debate on the issue. This is the biggest problem. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism should not easily allow the project to go ahead as if it has been decided in advance.
それなのに、国会で包括的な審議がなされることも、国民的議論が盛り上がることもなかった。ここが一番問題だ。国交省は、計画ありき、でゴーサインを出すべきではない。

The maglev train line project aims mainly to make up for a capacity shortage on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, decrease the traveling time on this section, and secure an alternative route for the Tokaido Shinkansen in case the line is affected by a powerful earthquake.
リニア中央新幹線には、限界に近付いた東海道新幹線の輸送能力を補うことや移動時間の短縮に加え、東海地震に備えた代替ルートの確保、東海道新幹線の老朽化対応という狙いがある。

However, some have expressed doubts and concerns over the project, not only with regard to the line's profitability but also over safety and its impact on the environment.
だが、経済性、環境面、安全性の観点などから、多くの疑問や懸念が指摘されている。

The construction of a tunnel passing through the South Alps is expected to present a challenge, and the entire project could be substantially delayed because of this. JR Central has recently revised upward the estimated costs of the construction on the line between Tokyo and Nagoya by 93.5 billion yen from the figure the company had announced five years ago. Considering uncertain factors such as the work period, the price of construction materials, personnel expenses and interest rates, moreover, there is no guarantee that the costs won't increase any further.
南アルプスを貫くトンネルの工事は特に難航が予想され、大幅な長期化もあり得る。ＪＲ東海は名古屋までの工事について、５年前に発表した事業費を９３５億円上方修正した。しかし、工期、資材価格や人件費、借金の金利など不確実性は多く、大幅な追加もないとはいえない。

The company has admitted that the Maglev Chuo Shinkansen Line project will be unprofitable even if unexpected increases in expenses are disregarded.
想定外の費用増がなくてもこの事業に採算性がないことをＪＲ東海自身が認めている。

"The maglev line alone will never pay," JR Central Chairman Yoshiomi Yamada told a news conference in September last year when he was serving as its president.
昨年９月、山田佳臣社長（当時）は、「リニアだけでは絶対にペイしない（帳尻が合わない）」と記者会見で明言した。

JR Central apparently intends to use profits from the Tokaido Shinkansen Line to make up for deficit generated by the maglev train line, but it remains uncertain whether the company can increase or even maintain the current level of demand as the population is decreasing and aging. It is extremely difficult to predict what Japan will look like 31 years from now, when the construction work on the line to Shin-Osaka Station is expected to be completed.
東海道新幹線のもうけで穴埋めする考えのようだが、人口減少と高齢化が進む中、需要の増加どころか現状維持さえ確かとは言い難い。新大阪までの工事が完了するとされる３１年後の日本の姿を予測することは極めて難しいのである。

There have been numerous examples of large-scale projects in which operational costs snowballed from their initial estimations. For example, the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway has cost 3.8 times its initial estimate. Lessons should be drawn from reckless projects based on overly optimistic forecasts for demand.
巨大プロジェクトの事業費が、当初の想定よりはるかに膨らんだという事例は少なくない。例えば本州四国連絡道路では３．８倍に跳ね上がった。甘い需要見通しで突っ走った過去の失敗に学ぶべきではないか。

If an alternative route is necessary for the Tokaido Shinkansen in case of a Tokai earthquake that could hit the line, it does not have to use a maglev train system, and the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line could be used as an alternative route. The project should be considered as an issue that affects the whole nation. It is not too late to launch in-depth debate now to review the project.
東海地震の際の代替ルートというのであれば、リニアでなくてもよいし、北陸新幹線の活用もあろう。まさに国全体に関わる話として検討すべきテーマである。今から本気で議論をしても、遅すぎない。

毎日新聞　2014年09月06日　02時30分

September 05, 2014(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Attacks on guide dogs hurt owners, too
社説:刺された盲導犬　人の心も傷ついた

A guide dog for a blind man living in Saitama was injured in July after being stabbed by an unknown assailant. Guide dogs serve as eyes for the blind and support their owners' daily lives. The heartless attack left the dog's owner fearful of venturing outside, and deserves harsh criticism.
さいたま市の全盲の男性が連れていた盲導犬オスカーが７月下旬、何者かに腰付近を刺されけがをした。盲導犬は、視覚障害者の目の代わりになって生活を支える。男性は「ショックで外に出るのが怖い」と話したという。卑劣と言うほかない。

The perpetrator apparently harbors ill will and hostility toward visually impaired people. The incident has raised concerns that the Saitama case could trigger copycat crimes. The perpetrator in the latest incident not only inflicted deep physical and psychological damage on the guide dog, but also traumatized its owner. Police should thoroughly investigate the case.
視覚障害者に対する悪意や敵意を感じさせる事件だ。模倣犯が出てくるのではと不安も募る。オスカーにとどまらず、全盲の男性の心にも大きな傷を負わせた罪は重い。警察は徹底的に捜査してもらいたい。

It is suspected that the guide dog, named Oscar, was stabbed while he was accompanying the man on his way to work.
男性が仕事に向かう電車内でオスカーは被害に遭ったようだ。先のとがったもので刺されたとみられる。

Guide dogs and their owners share a close bond. They undergo training that lasts for nearly a year, and become partners for visually impaired people after going through a training camp with the owner over a period of about one month. Such guide dogs dedicate themselves to supporting their owners while the owners are legally required to look after the dogs in their daily lives in all aspects, including sanitation.
盲導犬と障害者の関係は濃密だ。１年近い訓練を経た盲導犬は、最後に障害者と約１カ月間の合宿生活を経てパートナーになる。盲導犬が献身する一方で、障害者側は衛生面を含めた日常の世話を尽くす義務を法的に負う。深い信頼関係で結ばれ、生活を共におくる。

Dogs that can enjoy living with people and gently react to people are selected as candidates to become guide dogs. They are trained not to bark unless their owners are in danger. Oscar did not bark even when he was stabbed.
人間との生活を楽しみ、穏やかに反応する犬が盲導犬に選ばれる。主人に危険が及んだ時以外はむやみにほえない。オスカーも刺された時にほえなかった。

Since the incident was reported by media outlets, misunderstanding has spread that guide dogs are trained to endure any pain. Some visually impaired people have received complaints from people with unimpaired eyesight that guide dogs are being suppressed. Such a lack of understanding deeply hurts the disabled and is intolerable.
そのため、事件の報道後、「盲導犬は痛みをがまんする訓練を受けている」との誤解が広まった。「盲導犬は抑圧されてかわいそう」といった、矛先を障害者に向けるかのような言葉を投げかけられた人もいる。看過できないことだ。こうした無理解が障害者を深く傷つける。

There are also many cases in which people attempt to hit guide dogs or deliberately step on their tails.
また傷害に至らなくても、盲導犬をたたこうとしたり、しっぽを踏んだりの嫌がらせは多くあるという。

The Act on Assistance Dogs for Physically Disabled Persons provides stipulations on guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs, which help people with disabilities in their limbs. Enacted in 2002, the law stipulates that public facilities and public transportation systems as well as private facilities such as restaurants used by members of the general public are in principle forbidden from denying entry to people with such assistance dogs. Nevertheless, there are numerous incidents in which disabled people with assistance dogs are denied entry into such facilities.
盲導犬のほか、肢体の不自由な人を助ける介助犬、さらに聴導犬について定めた身体障害者補助犬法が２００２年に成立した。
公共施設や交通機関、民間でも不特定多数の人が利用する施設は、原則として補助犬を伴った入店を拒んではならないと規定する。だが、入店拒否がいまだ後を絶たない。

In some cases, managers of restaurants and medical institutions cite sanitation as a reason for not allowing assistance dogs to accompany their owners into their facilities. However, assistance dogs have been trained to excrete strictly in designated locations and are kept clean on the responsibility of their owners.
飲食店や医療機関などが衛生面などを理由に拒むことも多い。だが、補助犬は決まった場所でしか排せつしないようしつけられ、障害者の責任で清潔に保たれる。

It bears mentioning that the law requires facility managers to accept assistance dogs. Denying assistance dogs entry is tantamount to refusing to admit the disabled people they are accompanying.
そうした前提で、法が同伴の受け入れを義務付けていることを理解したい。補助犬を拒むことは、その隣にいる障害者を拒むことと同じなのだ。

The motives behind the cruel attack on the guide dog in Saitama remain unclear. Still, the incident reminds members of the public that general understanding of disabled people and assistance dogs is far from sufficient.
残忍な事件の動機は不明だが、障害者や補助犬への社会の理解がまだまだ足りない。事件をきっかけに、そんなことを考えさせられる。

Since the incident, however, organizations that train guide dogs and others supporting handicapped people have received messages from numerous citizens saying they want to help ensure the safety of guide dogs. Such voices will certainly lead to public understanding of disabled people and assistance dogs.
ただし、盲導犬の育成団体などには事件後、「市民の一員として盲導犬の安全を見守りたい」との声が多く寄せられたという。そうした声が社会の力となることを信じたい。

毎日新聞　2014年09月05日　02時40分