The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 18, 2012)
Why does Beijing permit anti-Japan protests?
反日過激デモ　中国政府はなぜ容認するのか（9月17日付・読売社説）

Anti-Japan protests have been expanding and escalating in China.
　中国の反日デモが拡大し、過激化している。

This is a serious situation.
　憂慮すべき事態だ。

Protesters railing against the recent nationalization of three islets of the Senkaku Islands in Ishigaki, Okinawa Prefecture, by the central government have taken to the streets of about 100 cities in China.
　日本政府が沖縄県の尖閣諸島を国有化したことに抗議するデモは、中国の約１００都市に広がった。

In Beijing, protesters hurled rocks at the Japanese Embassy, while in other cities they attacked Japanese-affiliated business establishments. Some Japanese citizens have been assaulted in places where there have been no street demonstrations.
　北京では日本大使館が投石され、地方都市では日系企業が襲撃された。デモの現場ではないが、日本人が暴行された例もあった。

It is quite reasonable for Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda to have lodged a protest with the Chinese government. The Japanese government must continuously press China to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and businesses and the protection of their property.
　野田首相が抗議したのは当然である。日本政府は引き続き、中国政府に対し、邦人と日系企業の安全、財産の保護を徹底するよう求めなければならない。

The Chinese government should strictly punish those involved in behavior that results in property destruction in accordance with the law.
　中国政府は、破壊行為に関わった容疑者を法に基づいて厳正に処分すべきである。

In parallel with these protests, there have been aggressive acts by the Chinese government itself, which is apparently trying to undermine Japan's control of the Senkaku Islands.
　デモと並行して、尖閣諸島の実効支配を崩そうとする中国政府の示威行動も目立つ。

===

Unprecedented intrusion

In an unprecedented action, six Chinese government maritime surveillance ships intruded into Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands on Friday at the same time.
尖閣諸島周辺の日本の領海内に１４日、中国の海洋監視船６隻が侵入した。中国公船が同時に６隻も侵入してきたのは過去に例がない。

This is the first time that China has raised tensions with Japan to such a stage since bilateral diplomatic relations were normalized in 1972.
　１９７２年の日中国交正常化以来、これほど中国が日本との間で緊張を高めたのは初めてだ。

China has probably acted out of a heightened sense of crisis that it may lose face if the administration under the Chinese Communist Party is perceived by the people to have conceded to Japan over the Senkaku islets.
尖閣諸島を巡って日本に譲歩した、と国内で受け止められれば、共産党政権の威信が揺らぐと危機感を強めているのだろう。

In China, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Japan's "wrongful act" (nationalization of the three islets) has been provoking strong righteous indignation in China, showing Beijing's sympathy for the anti-Japan protests. A senior Commerce Ministry official has also implied a boycott of Japanese products would be a natural consequence.
　中国は、外務省報道官が「日本の誤った行為が強い義憤を引き起こしている」と反日デモへの理解を示し、商務省幹部も日本製品の不買運動を容認するかのような発言をしている。

Such developments have fueled the anger of a younger generation that has been immersed in patriotic education, causing an escalation of their actions.
　これが愛国教育世代の若者を煽(あお)り、行動の過激化を招いた。

The Chinese government has apparently decided to politically exploit the people's anger against the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands to exert diplomatic pressure on Japan.
　中国政府には、尖閣諸島国有化に反発する国民の怒りを対日圧力に利用する政治的思惑がある。

===

Maintain the rule of law

But for the Chinese government to sanction illegal behavior under a slogan that a patriotic act should not be considered a crime would be to deny the rule of law. And boycotting products of a specific country violates the spirit of free trade, which also runs counter to China's interests.
　だが、愛国的行為は罪に問われないとする「愛国無罪」のスローガンの下、破壊行為を正当化するのは法治の否定だ。特定国の製品の不買は自由貿易に反する。中国のためにもならない。

Appeals are being made for people to demonstrate against Japan again on Tuesday, which marks the 81st anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident that triggered the Manchurian Incident. It is feared the daily activities of Japanese people and businesses in China may be badly affected again.
　満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件から８１年に当たる１８日、各地では再びデモが呼びかけられている。邦人の生活や日系企業の営業活動への影響が懸念される。

It is highly likely that a fleet of Chinese fishing boats, escorted by fishing monitoring vessels of the Chinese agriculture ministry, will soon leave ports for the Senkaku Islands shortly and try to intrude into Japanese territorial waters.
　間もなく尖閣諸島沖に向け、中国漁船が大挙出港し、農業省の漁業監視船の護衛で、日本領海への侵入を図る可能性が高い。

The Japanese government, for its part, must make absolutely sure that the Japan Coast Guard protects the territorial waters.
　日本政府は海上保安庁による領海警備に万全を期すべきだ。

The government must assert to the international community that the Senkaku Islands are Japanese territory and that the recent acquisition of the islands is intended to place them under stable government management.
　政府は、尖閣諸島は日本の領土であり、安定的に管理するための国有化であることを、国際社会に主張していかねばならない。

The national leaders of Japan and China should bring the current situation under control so as not to aggravate the conflict of their people's sentiments.
　国民感情の対立を深めぬよう、日中両国は首脳レベルで、事態の沈静化に努める必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 17, 2012)
（2012年9月17日01時20分  読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 16, 2012)
Responsible govt should never adopt zero nuclear goal
エネルギー選択　「原発ゼロ」は戦略に値しない（9月15日付・読売社説）

　◆経済・雇用への打撃軽視するな◆

It was extremely irresponsible of the government to set out a "zero nuclear power" policy without illustrating the details of how the nation is supposed to secure a stable supply of electricity.
　電力を安定的に確保するための具体策も描かずに、「原子力発電ゼロ」を掲げたのは、極めて無責任である。

The government should retract the zero-nuclear policy and instead propose a feasible energy strategy.
　政府は「原発ゼロ」の方針を撤回し、現実的なエネルギー政策を示すべきだ。

The government's Energy and Environment Council adopted an "innovative energy and environmental strategy" with a target of "zero nuclear power plants operating in the 2030s."
　政府のエネルギー・環境会議が、「２０３０年代に原発稼働ゼロ」を目指す「革新的エネルギー・環境戦略」をまとめた。

Under the strategy, the government will not allow the establishment of any new nuclear power plants and will strictly enforce the rule of decommissioning nuclear reactors after 40 years of operation to achieve the goal, the council said.
　原発の新増設を認めず、運転開始から４０年での廃炉を厳格に適用していくという。

　◆肝心な部分は生煮え◆

At a press conference held Friday, Motohisa Furukawa, state minister for national policy, stressed the importance of the strategy. "We have shown our stance of earnestly tackling the problems associated with nuclear power without shelving them," Furukawa said.
　古川国家戦略相は記者会見で、「原子力に関する問題点を先送りせず、真摯(しんし)に取り組む姿勢を示した」などと意義を強調した。

However, Furukawa failed to provide an overall picture of the future composition of the energy supply, which the government has pledged to drastically review in light of the crisis at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
　しかし、東京電力福島第一原発の事故を受けて抜本的に見直すとしていた将来の電源構成については、全体像を示せなかった。

Such a sloppy, immature scheme is totally unworthy of a national energy policy.
　こんな生煮えの“粗案”では、国家のエネルギー戦略に値しないと言えよう。

===

Vital details lacking

The strategy stated a goal of increasing the proportion of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, from the current 10 percent to 30 percent by 2030. However, the council postponed revealing measures to achieve the plan until year-end.
　太陽光や風力など再生可能エネルギーの比率を、現在の約１割から３割に増やすとしているが、肝心の実現策は年末に先送りした。

The government's decision to achieve zero reliance on nuclear energy in about 20 years without working out the details of how to secure viable alternatives looks slipshod.
　原発の代替電源を確保する方策の中身も詰めずに、約２０年先の「原発ゼロ」だけを決めるのは乱暴だ。

Was this the result of a calculated decision that it would help the Democratic Party of Japan if the government clarified its antinuke stance ahead of the next House of Representatives election? It is natural to suspect the government had already reached a conclusion on this matter ahead of discussions.
　次期衆院選を前に「脱原発」の旗印を鮮明にした方が民主党に有利になる、と計算したに過ぎないのではないのか。初めに結論ありきと言われても仕方あるまい。

Another problem of the new strategy is its lack of response to the results of an expert panel tasked with examining this issue, as well as indications from the business community.
　有識者会議による検討結果や経済界からの指摘に対応していないのも問題である。

It is estimated that vast sums of money would be required to achieve zero reliance on nuclear energy--50 trillion yen to increase the amount of renewable energy and another 100 trillion yen for energy-saving measures.
　各種の試算は、「原発ゼロ」にするには、再生エネ拡大に５０兆円、省エネに１００兆円を要するとしていた。

The nation's gross domestic product would likely fall by 50 trillion yen, and the number of jobless people is expected to increase by 2 million.
国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）は５０兆円近く落ち込み、失業者も２００万人増加する見通しだ。

However, the new strategy only stated that the government would "devote all necessary resources possible" to deal with the problems, without stating specific measures.
　だが「戦略」には、「あらゆる政策資源を投入する」とあるだけで、課題の解決策がない。

Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), strongly criticized the zero-nuclear policy. "Industrial circles, which have been doing everything possible to maintain the level of employment, can never approve such a policy. It's a total contradiction to the government's growth strategy," Yonekura said.
　経団連の米倉弘昌会長は、「原発ゼロ」方針について、「雇用の維持に必死に頑張っている産業界としては、とても了承できない。まさに成長戦略に逆行している」などと、厳しく批判した。

Yonekura's remark reflects concerns that the zero-nuclear policy could threaten the people's livelihood by causing electricity shortfalls and driving up production costs, which would likely accelerate companies' moves to shift their production bases abroad.
　電力不足と生産コストの上昇で産業空洞化が加速し、国民生活が脅かされかねないためだ。

===

Policy laden with contradictions
　◆矛盾だらけの内容◆

Currently, 48 of the nation's 50 reactors remain unable to resume operations in spite of the end of their regular safety checkups.
　現在、全原発５０基のうち４８基が定期検査の終了後も再稼働できない状況が続いている。

Fuel costs for thermal power generation have shot up by 3 trillion yen a year compared to their level before the Fukushima nuclear crisis.
　火力発電の燃料費が年３兆円も余計にかかっている。

If things stay as they are, it will be inevitable for other electricity companies to raise their electricity charges, following TEPCO.
このままでは東電以外の電力会社も電力料金の値上げが避けられない。

If the ratio of thermal power generation rises in the nation's energy source mix, Japan's dependence on the politically volatile Middle East for much of its energy sources will continue.
　火力発電の比率が高まれば、政治的に不安定な中東に多くのエネルギーを依存する状況も続く。

The new energy strategy is right in pointing out that the nation should make use of nuclear reactors as important sources of power generation if their safety is guaranteed.
　「戦略」が、安全性を確認できた原発を重要電源として活用する方針を示したのは妥当である。

To ensure stable supplies of electricity, the government must redouble efforts to realize the restart of currently idled reactors.
電力安定供給のため、政府は再稼働の実現に努めねばならない。

However, the government's trumpeting of its "zero nuclear power" policy makes it all the more difficult to obtain local residents' consent to restart nuclear plants in their areas. The government is at cross-purposes with itself.
　それなのに政府は「原発ゼロ」をうたい、わざわざ再稼働に対する地元の理解取り付けを困難にした。ちぐはぐな対応だ。

Fukui Gov. Issei Nishikawa, who gave the go-ahead to the reactivation of the Oi nuclear power plant of Kansai Electric Power Co. in his prefecture, has understandably expressed a sense of distrust regarding the government's shifting energy policy.
関西電力大飯原発の再稼働を容認した福井県の西川一誠知事も、政府の方針転換に不信感を表明している。

To pursue the goal of reducing reliance on nuclear energy to zero while at the same time preserving Japan's nuclear fuel recycling program cannot be called anything but an obvious contradiction.
　核燃料サイクル政策を継続しながら「原発ゼロ」を目指すというのは、明らかな矛盾である。

Given this situation, nuclear fuel to be produced through the fuel cycle will not serve any purpose.
　これでは、再処理で作った核燃料の使い道がなくなる。

In Aomori Prefecture, which has long cooperated with the central government's nuclear fuel recycling program, some are calling for the prefecture to refuse to accept any new spent nuclear fuel. The anger there over the central government's treacherous handling of nuclear policy is quite understandable.
　国策の核燃サイクルに協力してきた青森県からは、使用済み核燃料の受け入れ拒否を求める声も出ている。不誠実な政府方針に対する青森県の怒りはもっともだ。

If Aomori Prefecture refuses to take in any more used fuel from nuclear complexes around the nation, there would be no place for storage of spent nuclear fuel, meaning nuclear power plants across the country would sooner or later be forced to halt their operations.
　青森県が協力を拒否すれば、使用済み核燃料の保管場所がなくなり、各地の原発は早晩、運転を続けることはできなくなろう。

Furthermore, the newly adopted policy would lead to drastic declines in the number of people pursuing careers as nuclear experts, jeopardizing enhancement of the nation's nuclear safety technologies and the future decommissioning of reactors.
　さらに、原子力の技術者になる人材が激減し、原発の安全性向上や、今後の廃炉作業に支障をきたす恐れもある。

===

Japan-U.S. ties in jeopardy
　◆日米同盟に悪影響も◆

Britain and France, to which Japan has entrusted the task of spent fuel reprocessing, and the United States, which has put high hopes on nuclear technologies held by Japanese companies, have shown strong anxieties over the government's policy switch.
　日本が核燃料の再処理を委託している英仏両国も、日本企業が持つ原発技術に期待する米国も、強い懸念を示している。

The United States has acknowledged Japan's reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel as a special right on the basis of the Japan-U.S. Cooperation Agreement on Nuclear Energy.
　米国は日米原子力協定に基づく特別な権利として、日本に使用済み核燃料の再処理を認めている。

Japan could lose the reprocessing right on the grounds of its new "zero nuclear power" policy.
「原発ゼロ」を理由に、日本は再処理の権利を失いかねない。

There also is concern that the international status of Japan, which the United States has so far deemed as its key partner in pursuing nuclear security policy in the Asian region, may decline.
　米国が、アジアにおける核安全保障政策のパートナーと位置づける日本の地位低下も心配だ。

Should this country break completely away from nuclear power, the stature of China and South Korea, which have both been keen to boost construction of nuclear power plants, would be bolstered in East Asia. Such a development would inevitably damage the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　日本が原発を完全に放棄すれば、引き続き原発増設を図る中国や韓国の存在感が東アジアで高まる。日米の同盟関係にも悪影響は避けられまい。

The government must be well aware of the fact that Japan's energy policy cannot be formulated without paying due attention to its implications in the international community.
　国際社会との関係抜きに、日本のエネルギー政策は成り立たないことを、政府は自覚すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 15, 2012)
（2012年9月15日02時00分  読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 17, 2012)
LDP presidential candidates should thoroughly debate issues
自民総裁選告示　日本の針路に責任ある論戦を（9月16日付・読売社説）

　◆原発・ＴＰＰから逃げるな◆

If the Liberal Democratic Party's goal is to regain power, the candidates seeking their party's leadership must reveal concrete measures on how to tackle the vital tasks facing the nation.
　政権奪還を目指すという以上、日本が直面する重要課題への具体的な処方箋を明らかにしなければならない。

The LDP presidential race kicked off Friday, with five members running for the leadership: former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe; former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba; former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura; LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara; and Yoshimasa Hayashi, acting chairman of the Policy Research Council. Verbal clashes among the five are heating up ahead of the voting on Sept. 26.
　自民党総裁選が１４日、告示され、安倍晋三元首相、石破茂前政調会長、町村信孝元官房長官、石原伸晃幹事長、林芳正政調会長代理の５人が立候補した。２６日の投開票日に向け、論戦も本格化している。

If the LDP wins the next House of Representatives election, the new party president will likely become the prime minister. We are looking forward to scrutinizing the qualities of the candidates as well as their policies through the election race.
　次の衆院選で自民党が勝てば、新総裁は首相に就任する公算が大きい。総裁選を通じて候補の資質と政策を十分に吟味したい。

　◆「集団的自衛権」は評価◆

The public is watching the campaign to confirm whether the LDP is capable of holding the reins of government. To regain the public's trust of the party, all candidates must clarify how they would deal with issues that have split public opinion.
　総裁選では自民党の政権担当能力の有無も問われる。信頼を取り戻すためには、国論を二分する政策について明確に方向性を示す必要があろう。

===

Show details on collective defense

All five candidates have pledged to amend the Constitution. Furthermore, they have stated in their election pledges that Japan should be allowed to exercise its right to collective self-defense. The five plan to establish a basic law on national security that will enable the nation to exercise this right. This is essential in order to restore the Japan-U.S. alliance after it was eroded during the administrations of Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan.
　５氏とも、憲法改正だけではなく、集団的自衛権の行使容認を公約に掲げている。これを可能とする「国家安全保障基本法」制定も目指す。鳩山、菅両政権で揺らいだ日米同盟の立て直しには欠かせない。

We commend them on this issue.
　この点は評価したい。

However, when the LDP formed a coalition government with New Komeito, the party failed to get the ball rolling on allowing the nation to exercise its right to collective self-defense. The candidates must show specific steps to achieve this goal.
　ただ、集団的自衛権行使の容認は自公政権で手をつけられなかった課題である。実現に向けての具体的な手順を示す必要がある。

The present government recently set out a target of "zero nuclear power plants operating" in the 2030s. Machimura criticized this policy, saying it is "just an expression of hope without specific means to achieve it." The other four candidates have similar opinions on this issue.
　政府が２０３０年代の「原発稼働ゼロ」を目標に掲げたことに対して、町村氏は「単なる願望であり、具体的な道筋がない」と批判した。この点でも、５氏の足並みはそろっている。

We can never approve the government's slipshod decision of announcing its "zero nuclear power" policy without sorting out ways to secure viable alternatives to nuclear power.
　代替エネルギーのあてもないまま、原発ゼロを打ち出した政府・民主党の短慮は認められない。

What do the presidential candidates of the LDP--which had promoted nuclear power for so long during its administrations--think about the nation's future energy policy? If they say only that it is too early to draw a conclusion, they are evading the issue.
　では、原子力行政を長年推し進めてきた自民党は、今後のエネルギー政策について、どう考えているのか。現段階で結論を出せないと言うだけなら、議論から逃げていることになる。

On the issue of joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework, all candidates have stated they oppose joining TPP negotiations if the premise is to eliminate tariffs without any "sanctuaries." If so, the candidates should explain their conditions for joining the TPP and how they would go about joining it.
　環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題については、各氏とも「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提とした交渉参加には反対だ」と主張する。それなら、参加するための条件や道筋を語るべきだろう。

Hasn't the LDP emphasized expanding free trade in its growth strategy? The party should not turn its back to the TPP, which is essential to take advantage of economic growth in neighboring Asian nations.
　自民党はこれまで、自由貿易拡大による成長戦略を重視してきたはずだ。アジアの経済成長を取り込む上で欠かせないＴＰＰに背を向けてはならない。

We believe the candidates are considering the reactions of agricultural organizations such as agricultural cooperatives. However, under the existing circumstances, Japan's agriculture will only continue declining. The candidates must discuss measures to revive domestic agriculture so it can cope with further trade liberalization.
　農協など農業団体への配慮もあるのだろう。だが、農業はこのままでは地盤沈下が進むだけだ。貿易自由化に対応できるよう農業の再生策こそ議論すべきである。

===

Diplomacy toward Beijing
　◆対中外交をどうする◆

On the diplomatic front, we want to hear what the aspirants for the top LDP post think about issues affecting Japan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and how they would rebuild this country's diplomatic ties with China, South Korea and Russia.
　外交では、対中・韓・露外交を再構築するためにも、主権・領土の問題への対応を聞きたい。

The candidates have all agreed on the need to beef up Japan's control of the Senkaku Islands. The tricky part is what measures they would take to achieve this.
　尖閣諸島の実効支配を強化する方針では、各氏とも一致している。問題は具体策だ。

Ishihara said, "It's natural for this country to defend its sovereignty, but now is the time for us to keep a cool head."
　石原氏は「主権を守るのは当然だが、クールダウンすべきだ」と指摘した。

Anti-Japanese demonstrations have become increasingly boisterous in China. To urge the Chinese government to calm the situation, the government and the ruling and opposition camps should levelheadedly work as one.
中国国内では反日デモが激しさを増している。中国に事態の沈静化を求めるために、政府や与野党が一丸となって冷静に対処すべきだろう。

Another matter of high significance is which party or parties the LDP should link up with after the next lower house election.
　一方、衆院選後にどの党と連携するかも重要な問題である。

Whatever the outcome of the election, the LDP will still lack a majority in the House of Councillors, even when counting the seats held by New Komeito. This situation will continue until at least next summer's upper house election.
自民党は、衆院選の結果にかかわりなく、参院で公明党と合わせても過半数に及ばない。来夏の参院選までこの状態が続く。

The five candidates are all wary of the idea of forming a grand coalition with the Democratic Party of Japan. Instead, they favor cooperation with the DPJ on a policy-by-policy basis.
　５氏とも民主党との大連立に否定的で、政策ごとの合意を訴えた。

Abe, for his part, has hinted at a possible partnership with Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party), which is led by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto.
安倍氏は橋下徹大阪市長が率いる「日本維新の会」との連携に含みを持たせている。

Some of Ishin no Kai's policies neatly fit those of the LDP, such as seeking revisions to the Constitution. However, many policy commitments of the party starkly contrast with those of the LDP, including the former's demand that the number of lower house seats be halved.
　維新の会の政策には、改憲など自民党と一致する点もあるが、衆院議員の定数半減など相いれない面も少なくない。

The LDP will need to consider these details carefully before forming any full-blooded political alliance.
政策本位で連携の是非を考えるべきだ。

Regarding comprehensive reform of social security and tax systems jointly undertaken by the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito, all the LDP candidates have committed to adhering with the three-party accord. This is a natural course of action.
　５氏とも、民主、自民、公明の３党で進めた社会保障・税一体改革について、合意を順守することを言明した。当然だろう。

===

New Diet rules required
　◆国会のルールを見直せ◆

The DPJ-LDP-Komeito tripartite agreement must be kept intact. The three parties should jointly address such key tasks as working out how to lower the financial burdens low-income earners will face when the consumption tax rate is increased, and enhance efficiency in budget appropriations for ballooning social security expenditures.
　民自公路線は今後も堅持し、消費増税に伴う低所得者対策や膨張する社会保障費の効率化といった課題に取り組む必要がある。

Abe said the proposed consumption tax hike "could put a damper on the economy if it's implemented at the wrong time," indicating the possibility he would postpone the first stage of the tax raise in April 2014.
　ただ、安倍氏は消費税率引き上げに関し、「時期を間違えると経済の腰を折ってしまう」と述べ、２０１４年４月段階の増税先送りの可能性を示唆した。

Although due consideration should be paid to national economic conditions before the tax increase, the importance of reconstructing the deficit-ridden government finances--a problem left alone for too long--should never be taken lightly.
　増税前に経済状況を考慮することは必要だが、長年の懸案である財政再建を軽視することがあってはならない。

Ishiba said the government-sponsored bill for enabling the issuance of deficit-covering bonds "shouldn't be used as a tool in a power struggle" between the parties. We agree entirely.
　赤字国債発行を可能とする特例公債法案について、石破氏は「政争の具に使うべきではない」と提案した。もっともである。

This bill must not be used as a bargaining chip by the LDP as it pushes for the early dissolution of the lower house for a general election.
衆院解散・総選挙を求める駆け引きに使うべきではない。

In the divided Diet, where the opposition holds a majority in the upper house while the ruling bloc controls the lower house, what can be done so this nation has "politics capable of making decisions"?
　衆参ねじれ国会の下で、「決められる政治」をどう実現していくのか。

Deeper discussions should be held about how to formulate new rules for running Diet affairs.
新たな国会のルールづくりの論議も深めてもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 16, 2012)
（2012年9月16日01時15分  読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 15, 2012)
China should not go too far in its response over Senkakus
尖閣国有化　中国の圧力外交は行き過ぎだ（9月14日付・読売社説）

China is escalating its opposition to the Japanese government's nationalization of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, over which China claims sovereignty.
　日本政府が沖縄県の尖閣諸島を国有化したことに対し、領有権を主張する中国が反発をエスカレートさせている。

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stressed that Beijing would never concede, even half a step, on issues concerning what it claims as its sovereign and territorial rights.
　温家宝首相は「主権、領土の問題で半歩たりとも譲ることは絶対にない」と強調した。

The Chinese Defense Ministry said the Chinese government and military would reserve the right to take appropriate measures. They apparently aim to unnerve Japan and force it to cancel the purchase of the islands.
　国防省は「中国政府と軍は相応の措置をとる権利を留保する」とまで主張している。日本を震えあがらせて、国有化の撤回に追い込みたい狙いがあるのだろう。

There is no doubt that China's leaders cannot allow themselves to appear weak-kneed toward Japan given domestic circumstances dominated by the Chinese Communist Party's upcoming National Congress, in which the nation's new leadership will be installed.
　指導部が交代する共産党大会を間近に控え、対日弱腰姿勢を見せられない国内事情があるのは間違いない。

Will China repeat the reckless measures it took against Japan two years ago, in the wake of the collision incident involving a Chinese trawler and Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels? Beijing at that time imposed stricter restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals. If China wishes to call itself a responsible major power in the international community, it should restrain itself from imposing excessive diplomatic pressures.
　中国は、２年前の中国漁船衝突事件後に実施したレアアース（希土類）の輸出規制強化のような、なりふり構わぬ対抗措置を繰り返すのだろうか。国際社会の責任ある大国だと自任するなら、度を越した圧力外交は自制すべきだ。

===

No doubt that isles are Japanese

Japan maintains that a territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands does not exist. It was a matter of course that Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba firmly refuted China's claim, saying, "The Senkaku Islands are inherent territories of our nation, and this is a fact without doubts in light of international law and in historic terms."
　尖閣諸島を巡る領土問題は存在しないというのが日本の立場だ。玄葉外相が「尖閣諸島は我が国固有の領土であり、国際法上も歴史的にも疑いのない事実だ」と毅然(きぜん)と反論したのは当然である。

Regarding the nationalization of the islands, the Japanese government has explained that it was "for peaceful and stable maintenance and management" of the islands. It is important that the government persistently make the case to the international community.
　国有化について日本政府は「平穏かつ安定的な維持・管理を行うため」と説明してきたが、今後もこうした主張を粘り強く国際社会に訴えていくことが重要だ。

The Japanese government must beef up its vigilance over actions taken by China in an attempt to undermine Japan's effective control over the Senkaku Islands. Chinese state media recently reported that two patrol ships of China's State Oceanic Administration had started patrol activities in waters near the islands.
　日本政府は、尖閣諸島の実効支配を崩そうとする中国の動きには警戒を強めなければならない。中国国営メディアは、国家海洋局の巡視船２隻が周辺海域で巡視活動を開始したと報じている。

A scenario in which many patrol ships and armored fishing boats enter Japan's territorial waters and take other demonstrative actions cannot be excluded from possibility.
　今後、多数の巡視船や武装した漁船が領海侵犯などの示威行動を取る可能性も排除できない。

===

Coast guard must be strengthened

The Japanese government needs to expand and strengthen the Japan Coast Guard's structural functions so that all possible measures can be taken to ensure security in the nation's territorial waters.
　日本政府は海上保安庁の体制を拡充・強化し、領海警備に万全を期す必要がある。

Growing anti-Japan sentiment in China also is a cause of concern. With the approach of the Sept. 18 anniversary of the Liutiaohu Incident, which triggered the Manchurian Incident, calls to join anti-Japan protests have been made through the Internet across China.
　中国国内の反日機運の高まりも懸念材料だ。満州事変の発端となった柳条湖事件が起きた９月１８日にかけ、各地でネットを通じて反日デモが呼びかけられている。

Japanese communities in China also have been shaken by developments such as the postponement of an athletic meet at a local Japanese school. We urge Chinese authorities to act quickly to calm such situations and ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and companies there.
　日本人学校の運動会が延期になるなど、邦人社会に動揺も広がっている。中国当局には、事態の沈静化を急ぎ、邦人や日系企業の安全確保に努めてもらいたい。

It is also problematic that a number of exchange programs have been suspended. China told a group of about 30 Japanese lawmakers from different parties to postpone their visit to Beijing to attend events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations. An increasing number of Chinese tourists have also canceled their plans to visit Japan.
　交流事業の停止が相次いでいるのも問題だ。日中国交正常化４０周年の記念行事に出席するため超党派の国会議員ら約３０人が予定していた北京訪問が中国側から延期を通告された。訪日観光客のキャンセルも広がりを見せている。

Japan and China have historical ties. For the sake of further development of bilateral relations, China should not unilaterally close the channels of exchange and communications.
　日中両国は歴史的なつながりを持っている。両国関係の発展のために、一方的に交流や意思疎通のルートを閉ざしてはならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 14, 2012)
（2012年9月14日01時24分  読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 14, 2012)
Hashimoto's new party lacks road map to reform natl politics
「日本維新の会」　国政改革への道筋が見えない（9月13日付・読売社説）

Nippon Ishin no Kai, or the Japan Restoration Party, is poised to become a political force to be reckoned with, but it cannot be denied that its policies and management structure were hastily formulated.
　侮れない政治勢力になりつつあるが、政策も運営体制も急ごしらえの感は否めない。

Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, leader of the regional political group Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), declared the launch of the new party during a fund-raiser in Osaka on Wednesday.
　地域政党・大阪維新の会代表の橋下徹大阪市長が、大阪市で党の政治資金パーティーを開き、新党「日本維新の会」結成を宣言した。

Hashimoto stressed the significance of Osaka Ishin no Kai's foray into national politics. "The nation's systems and laws are barriers we hit when we try to do something," Hashimoto said. "If we carry out Osaka's reform in the true sense, revising the laws is our only choice."
　橋下氏は、「何かをやろうとするとぶつかる壁が国の制度と法律だ。本当の意味で大阪の改革をやろうと思えば、法改正しかない」と国政進出の意義を語った。

Hashimoto said the new party will aim to win "a majority" of the 480 seats in the next House of Representatives election.
　日本維新は、次期衆院選で「過半数」獲得を目指すという。

However, it is unnecessary for Hashimoto to advance into national politics if all he wants is to realize his Osaka metropolis plan. His rash eagerness, or big talk, is what makes him stand out. But what does he plan to achieve in national politics, and how? He needs to present a convincing vision.
　だが、「大阪都」構想を実現するためだけなら、何も国政に進出する必要はない。橋下氏は、“大風呂敷”とも言える意欲ばかりが先走っているように見える。国政で何をどう実現するのか、説得力のある見解を示す必要がある。

===

Platform grandiose but vague

Osaka Ishin no Kai has changed its campaign pledges for the next lower house election, dubbed "Ishin Hassaku" (eight-point policy statement), to the "platform" of the new party. Hashimoto said this is because the listed points represent the new party's sense of values.
　維新側は、これまで次期衆院選の公約としてきた「維新八策」を「綱領」に変更した。党の価値観を示すものだからだという。

Ishin Hassaku contains such phrases as "self-sustaining nation" and "democracy that is capable of making decisions and takes responsibility," but these abstract expressions do not tell what kind of nation the new party will pursue. The ideals should be explained in a more understandable way.
　維新八策には「自立する国家」「決定でき、責任を負う民主主義」といった言葉が並んでいるが、こうした抽象的な表現からは、日本維新がどんな国家を目指すのかが伝わってこない。理念はもっとわかりやすく説明すべきだ。

Ishin Hassaku is a mix of slogan-like goals--such as the introduction of a system to elect prime ministers by popular vote, which would require a constitutional amendment, and halving the number of lower house seats--and policies for social security, education and employment. The mid- and long-term tasks and immediate policy challenges must be properly sorted out.
　維新八策には、憲法改正を伴う首相公選制導入や、衆院の議員定数半減などスローガンのような目標と、社会保障、教育、雇用などの政策が混在している。中長期と当面の政策課題を、きちんと仕分けしなければなるまい。

Hashimoto stressed that elections are the only way to solve problems that cannot be solved by bureaucrats and problems that divide public opinion. If that is so, he should present specifically what pledges the new party will make for the next lower house election.
　橋下氏は「役人では解決できない問題、国論を二分する問題は、選挙で解決するしかない」と強調した。それでは、次期衆院選で具体的に何を公約するのか、明示してもらいたい。

===

A highly unusual structure

The new party has an extremely peculiar structure. Its headquarters will be in Osaka. Because seven Diet members, including former Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yorihisa Matsuno, will join it, the new party will meet a major requirement to be recognized as an official national political party, which must have at least five lawmakers. The party's Diet members and its groups of local assembly members, including Osaka Ishin no Kai, will be on equal terms with each other.
　日本維新は、極めて特異な体制をとる。党本部を大阪に置く。松野頼久元官房副長官ら現職国会議員７人が新党に参加するため、政党要件は満たされる。国会議員団と大阪維新の会など地方議員団は、並列の関係にする方針だ。

Hashimoto will double as both Osaka mayor and leader of the new party, and has said he will not run in the upcoming lower house election. This is probably because it has been less than one year since Hashimoto transitioned from Osaka governor to Osaka mayor and his commitment to the Osaka metropolis plan, the biggest item on his political agenda, is expected to enter a difficult phase in which he will work on such tasks as dividing cities into special wards and making relevant financial resource arrangements.
　橋下氏は党代表と大阪市長を兼務し、衆院選には立候補しないという。府知事から市長に転身して１年足らずで、最大の政治課題である大阪都構想への取り組みも、これから区割りや財源調整など難しい局面に入るからだろう。

There is widespread speculation over the possibility that Hashimoto's new party will make great strides, becoming the force holding the key to cooperation between political parties after the lower house election.
　日本維新は衆院選後、政党間の連携のカギを握る勢力に躍進する可能性もとりざたされている。

Hashimoto said, "I'll cut down the amount of time I spend for myself, and use it for national politics." However, will it really be possible for Hashimoto, in Osaka, to control rookie lawmakers who lack experience in politics?
　橋下氏は、「自分の時間を削って国政に充てる」と言うが、政治経験のない新人議員らを大阪からコントロールできるだろうか。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 13, 2012)
（2012年9月13日01時36分  読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 13, 2012)
LDP must quickly recover from 'opposition slumber'
自民党総裁選　「野党ぼけ」の克服が急務だ（9月12日付・読売社説）

What will the Liberal Democratic Party aim to do if it recaptures power, and how will it achieve these objectives?
　政権を奪還した後に自民党は何をどう実現するのか。

We urge the candidates in the party's presidential election to explain their views and policy stances, given that they aspire to grab the reins of this nation.
日本のかじ取りを目指す以上、見識や政策で競い合うべきだ。

LDP Secretary General Nobuteru Ishihara has announced he will run in the party race. Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura and former LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Shigeru Ishiba have already declared their candidacies. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and LDP Policy Research Council Acting Chairman Yoshimasa Hayashi also expressed their intention to throw their hats in the ring.
　自民党総裁選に、石原幹事長が出馬を表明した。町村信孝元官房長官、石破茂前政調会長が既に表明し、安倍元首相、林芳正政調会長代理も意欲を示す。

The LDP race will choose who might become the prime minister, depending on the outcome of the next House of Representatives election. It is only natural that the race is heating up.
　次期衆院選の結果次第では、首相になる可能性が高い総裁の選出だ。白熱するのも当然である。

However, we consider it problematic that LDP members are preoccupied with jockeying for position among party factions and figuring out how many party lawmakers support each candidate.
　だが、派閥や国会議員間の数合わせの動きばかりが先行しているのはどうしたことか。

Current LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki piled so much pressure on the two previous prime ministers of the Democratic Party of Japan--Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan--that they stepped down. The LDP won the previous House of Councillors election, a result that created a divided Diet in which the opposition controls the upper house.
　谷垣総裁は鳩山、菅両首相を退陣に追い込み、先の参院選で勝利してねじれ国会をもたらした。

===

Tanigaki frozen out

It was commendable that Tanigaki, as leader of the largest opposition party, joined hands with the DPJ to pass bills on integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, the main pillar of which is a consumption tax rate increase.
　野党第１党の党首として民主党に協力し、消費税率の引き上げを柱とする社会保障・税一体改革関連法を成立させたことは画期的だった。

In the latest Yomiuri Shimbun opinion survey, 21 percent of respondents--the biggest proportion--said they planned to vote for the LDP in the proportional representation segment of the next lower house election.
最新の読売新聞の世論調査では、次期衆院選の比例選投票先で、自民党は２１％でトップだ。

Nevertheless, Tanigaki was considered to be lacking something as the party's face for the coming election, and thus decided he had no option but to stay out of the party race. He must feel desperately disappointed to have come this close to guiding the party to its long-sought goal of returning to power.
　それでも、「選挙の顔」に物足りないと評価され、総裁選出馬断念に追い込まれた。念願の政権復帰に手が届く状況にまで来て、さぞかし無念だっただろう。

Tanigaki's fall was in part due to his failure to hammer out policies representative of the LDP, other than the integrated reform. He was unable to attract wide support.
　背景には、一体改革以外に自民党らしい政策を打ち出せず、支持に広がりを欠いたことがある。

Tanigaki became increasingly isolated when senior LDP figures such as former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Makoto Koga, who heads a party faction, turned their back on him over his handling of party affairs.
　谷垣氏は、党運営を巡って、森元首相や古賀派の古賀誠会長らの不興を買い、外堀を埋められた。

Tanigaki led the LDP to support a recent censure motion submitted by several opposition parties against Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda--a motion that also criticized the LDP for approving the consumption tax rate increase. The party was accused of "self-condemnation."
消費増税を実現した自民党をも批判する首相問責決議に対し、自民党が賛成することを主導して「自己否定」との批判も浴びた。

The LDP's policy goals and vision for after it returns to power will be scrutinized afresh during the presidential race. Party members should be well aware that revival of the party, which Tanigaki aimed for, has only been half completed.
　総裁選では、自民党の政権構想や政策が改めて問われよう。谷垣氏が目指した「党再生」は、道半ばであることを自覚すべきだ。

===

Take stand on nuclear power

Ishihara said his "mission is to realize policy measures and courses" the party promoted under Tanigaki's leadership. It would be disconcerting if the party, after a change in leadership, forgets about implementing the integrated reform in line with the accord it reached with the DPJ and New Komeito.
　石原氏は、谷垣氏の下で進めてきた「政策、路線の実現が使命」と述べた。総裁が代わっても民自公路線による一体改革の実現を忘れてもらっては困る。

The LDP for many years steered an administration that was pro-nuclear energy. Is it right for the party to stand idly by while the DPJ has set out a "zero nuclear power" policy direction? We urge the LDP to propose realistic energy policies.
　自民党は長年、原子力行政を推進してきたのに、「原発ゼロ」の方向を提言した民主党を傍観していいのか。現実的なエネルギー政策を提案してもらいたい。

The LDP is irresponsible for opposing the nation's possible participation in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade framework if abolishing tariffs "without sanctuary" is a precondition. The party should also debate the matter from the viewpoint of a growth strategy through expanded free trade.
　自民党が、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）について「聖域なき関税撤廃を前提にする交渉参加は反対」とするのは無責任だ。自由貿易拡大による成長戦略の観点からも是非を論ずべきだろう。

Rebuilding diplomatic relations with China, South Korea and Russia, and the deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' new Osprey transport aircraft also are pressing issues that need to be addressed.
　対中・韓・露外交の立て直しや米海兵隊の新型輸送機オスプレイ配備も差し迫った課題だ。

Considering these issues after it takes power will be too late. During the LDP election, the party urgently needs to awaken from its "opposition slumber" in which it devoted itself only to lobbing criticism around and failed to make its own decisions.
　政権に就いてから考えるのでは遅すぎる。総裁選を通じ、批判するだけで自らは判断しない“野党ぼけ”の克服が急務である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 12, 2012)
（2012年9月12日01時50分  読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 12, 2012)
DPJ presidential candidates must debate revival of Japan
民主代表選告示　日本再生へ責任ある論争を（9月11日付・読売社説）

　◆新たな政策課題の旗を掲げよ◆

It is essential that the candidates in the upcoming Democratic Party of Japan presidential election review the DPJ's past three years in power and hold a responsible policy debate to rehabilitate the party and restore public trust.
　党の体制を立て直し、国民の信頼を回復するためには、民主党政権の３年間を総括し、責任ある政策論争を展開することが肝要である。

Official campaigning for the DPJ presidential election began Monday. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda; former Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Hirotaka Akamatsu; former Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi; and former farm minister Michihiko Kano have thrown their hats into the ring to begin the war of words.
　民主党代表選が告示された。再選を目指す野田佳彦首相と、赤松広隆元農相、原口一博元総務相、鹿野道彦前農相の計４人が立候補し、舌戦が始まった。

Noda's lead over the other candidates appears unshakable, making the race a de facto confidence vote. Much focus is being placed on how many anti-Noda votes the other candidates can garner.
　首相の優勢は揺るがず、事実上の信任投票の様相を見せている。他の３人がどこまで野田批判票を集めるかも焦点である。

===

Ending deflation urgent
　◆急がれるデフレ脱却◆

It is important for Noda to win as much support as possible in the party. He needs to restore his political clout, which was weakened after the DPJ split when former DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa and his followers left the party, and to build a foundation to tackle new policy challenges.
　首相にとっても、できるだけ多く党内の支持を集めることが重要だ。小沢一郎元代表らの離党に伴う党分裂で低下した求心力を回復し、新たな政策課題に取り組む基盤を築くことが求められよう。

At a joint press conference of the candidates Monday, Noda stressed his commitment to the agreement between the DPJ, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito over integrated social security and tax system reform. He said his stance will not change even though LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki has announced he will not run for reelection.
　野田首相は共同記者会見で、社会保障と税の一体改革に関する民主、自民、公明３党合意を堅持する考えを強調した。谷垣自民党総裁が総裁選不出馬を表明したが、その考えは変えないという。

Enacting the reform legislation, the main pillar of which is an increase in the consumption tax rate, has been the Noda administration's historic achievement. It marked a first step away from the "politics incapable of making decisions" under the divided Diet. We commend Noda's stance of maintaining cooperative relations between the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito.
　消費税率引き上げを柱とする一体改革関連法の成立は、野田政権の歴史的な業績だ。衆参ねじれ国会の下、「決められない政治」を脱却する一歩でもあり、首相が民自公路線を継続していく姿勢は評価できる。

Akamatsu and Kano said they would basically stand by the three-party deal, but Haraguchi said the agreement had been negated by the passing of a censure motion against Noda in the House of Councillors.
　赤松、鹿野両氏も３党合意を基本的に守る考えを示したのに対し、原口氏は、参院での問責決議可決によって「３党合意は破棄された」との認識を示した。

Haraguchi hopes to capitalize on his ties to Osaka Ishin no Kai (Osaka restoration group), but we strongly doubt he could turn policy into reality without the cooperation of the LDP and Komeito.
　原口氏は、「大阪維新の会」との近さを売り物にしているが、自公両党と連携せずに政策課題を実現できるのか、大いに疑問だ。

As a new policy goal, Noda announced he would draw up and implement an emergency plan to break the grip of deflation within one year and restore the country's competitiveness within two years.
　首相は、新しい政策目標として経済再生に向けて「１年以内のデフレ脱却と２年以内の競争力回復」を実現する緊急計画を策定・実行する方針も表明した。

It is understandable that he set a specific deadline for beating deflation to create an environment amenable for raising the consumption tax rate. We hope he will put his policy into shape quickly.
　消費増税の環境を整えるうえでも、目標期限を明示してデフレ脱却に取り組む方針は理解できる。具体化を急いでもらいたい。

===

Explain advantages of TPP
　◆ＴＰＰの利点を語れ◆

The four candidates differ clearly over whether Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade framework. Noda said he will promote participation in the framework, Akamatsu and Kano have been cautious on the issue, and Haraguchi said Japan should not join.
　４候補の違いが明確になったのは、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）参加問題だ。野田首相が「推進」を掲げたのに対し、赤松、鹿野両氏は「慎重」で、原口氏は「不参加」を唱えた。

Japan did not say it would participate in the TPP negotiations at the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Russia. However, we believe the nation must join the free-trade framework if it hopes to tap the economic vigor of Asia to further develop the Japanese economy. Noda needs to clearly explain the merits of joining the talks early.
　日本はロシアでのアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議で参加表明を見送ったが、アジアの活力を取り込み、日本経済を成長させるには、ＴＰＰ参加が欠かせない。首相は早期参加の利点を具体的に語るべきだ。

In energy policy, all four candidates agree the nation should eventually end its reliance on nuclear power.
　エネルギー政策では、４候補が「原子力発電ゼロ」を目指す方針で足並みをそろえた。

We fear the proposed zero option for nuclear power would have an adverse effect on the economy by increasing production costs and undermining nuclear technology, among other concerns. We suggest the four candidates reconsider the matter and come to a more realistic solution without pandering to antinuclear opinions.
　「原発ゼロ」には、コスト増大による経済への悪影響、原子力技術の衰退など、重大な懸念がある。反原発論に迎合せず、より現実的な政策策定へ再考を求めたい。

In the joint news conference, Kano and two other candidates blamed Noda for causing the DPJ to split, and said the party needs a "political culture of responsibility." Noda rejected their claims, saying, "I can't resuscitate the party by leaving office halfway through."
　鹿野氏ら３候補は共同記者会見で、党分裂を招いた首相の責任を追及し、民主党には「責任を取る政治文化」が必要と主張した。首相は、「党再生を図るため、中途半端に政権を投げ出すわけにはいかない」などと反論している。

What would be more problematic than the breakup of the party is if the DPJ, as a ruling party, continued its internal battles while papering over important policy differences. The party needs a political culture in which members comply with what has been decided through policy debates.
　政権党が重要政策の違いを内在したまま、内紛を繰り返す方が、党分裂以上に問題は大きい。政策論争を経て、「決定したことはきちんと守る政治文化」こそが、民主党には必要だろう。

The DPJ should use the forthcoming presidential election as an opportunity for a fresh start by learning from its past blunders in running the government.
　今回の代表選を、民主党政権の様々な失政を教訓とし、出直しを図る機会とせねばならない。

The failed attempt last week to field Environment Minister Goshi Hosono in the party presidential election laid bare once again the DPJ's tendency to seek easy-sounding popularity-seeking solutions. In the political drama, Hosono's supporters believed that if a young candidate with good name recognition led the party in the next House of Representatives election, they would not have to be so concerned that the party would have to fight an uphill battle.
　不発に終わった先週の細野環境相の擁立劇は、安易な人気取りに走ろうとする民主党の体質を露呈した。若く知名度のある党首を担げば、次期衆院選での苦戦が緩和されよう、という発想だ。

In a draft of its manifesto for the next general election, the DPJ advocates the handout policy of increasing child allowances by 50 percent, which is typical of the party's populist inclinations.
　民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）素案が「児童手当の５割増」というバラマキ政策を掲げたのも同様の人気取りの発想である。

===

Realistic pledges crucial
　◆現実的な公約が必要だ◆

The DPJ must reexamine the defects of its unrealistic manifesto, which claims it could generate more than 16 trillion yen per year by altering the budget allocation system. The debates of the presidential candidates must lead the party to adopt a convincing campaign platform.
　民主党は、予算組み替えで年１６兆円超の財源捻出が可能などとした非現実的な現在のマニフェストの欠陥を直視せねばならない。代表選の論戦を踏まえ、説得力のある公約を練り上げるべきだ。

Japan's diplomatic and security policies have followed a sinuous course in recent years, neglecting the Japan-U.S. alliance. Government administrative functions have not worked smoothly due to the DPJ's policy of distancing itself from the bureaucracy in deciding and carrying out policies. The government should also be blamed for haphazardly dealing with the Gtreat East Japan Earthquake and the sebsequent nuclear crisis. Noda has struggled to resolve these negative legacies from the previous two DPJ administrations, led by Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, but he has yet to finish the job.
　日米同盟の軽視による外交・安全保障政策の迷走、「脱官僚」路線がもたらした行政の停滞、大震災や原発事故への場当たり的な対応……。野田首相は、鳩山、菅両政権の「負の遺産」の清算に取り組んできたが、まだ道半ばだ。

The DPJ has attempted to blame the opposition for legislative failures in the divided Diet, in which the House of Councillors is controlled by the opposition camp. But it is clear the DPJ's irresponsible management of Diet business has been a root cause of the indecisive political atmosphere.
　ねじれ国会で法案が成立しない原因は与党でなく野党、と言わんばかりの民主党の無責任な国会運営が、「決められない政治」の根本にあったことも否めない。

The question is whether the DPJ as a whole can recognize its responsibilities as the ruling party during the leadership campaign and make a fresh start.
　代表選を通じて、民主党全体が政権党の自覚を持ち、生まれ変われるかどうかが問われている。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 11, 2012)
（2012年9月11日01時08分  読売新聞）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 11, 2012)
Japan needs solid strategy for territorial talks with Russia
日露首脳会談　領土交渉への土俵を固めよ（9月9日付・読売社説）

Before holding further territorial talks with Russia, Japan must firstly strengthen the base of its negotiation stance.
　まずは交渉の土俵をしっかりと固めていかなければならない。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks Saturday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit meeting in Vladivostok in Far East Russia. The two leaders confirmed talks would continue over the Russian-held northern territories off Hokkaido.
　野田首相とプーチン露大統領がロシア極東のウラジオストクで会談し、北方領土交渉の継続を確認した。

Tokyo and Moscow will deepen talks on the islands at a vice-ministerial meeting scheduled for autumn and when the Japanese prime minister visits Russia in December.
今秋に予定される日露次官級協議、１２月をメドとする首相の訪露で議論を深めることになる。

Recent friction with China and South Korea over the Senkaku and Takeshima islands has prompted hard-hitting questions about Japan's stance over its own sovereignty and territory. With Russia also, the government must work persistently to find a solution to the northern territories dispute based on historical facts and documents.
　尖閣諸島や竹島の問題を契機に、日本の主権・領土に対する姿勢が厳しく問われている。北方領土問題でも、政府は歴史的な経緯と文書を踏まえ、粘り強く解決を模索しなければならない。

The latest talks between Noda and Putin followed their first meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico, in June, where they agreed to "revive" long-stalled talks on the territorial issue.
　野田、プーチン両首脳の会談は、領土交渉の「再活性化」で合意した６月のメキシコ・ロスカボスに続いて２度目だ。

===

Quiet, constructive talks needed

During the talks, Noda told Putin "consideration must be paid to public sentiment" in Japan as a condition for the territorial negotiations. He also requested the Russian leader hold discussions "in a quiet and constructive environment."
　今回、野田首相は、交渉の前提として日本の国民感情への配慮が必要と指摘し、「静かで建設的な環境」での議論を求めた。

Noda's remarks apparently were referring to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's provocative landing on Kunashiri--one of the islands in the northern territories--in July. Moscow must not be allowed to "Russianize" the territories by faits accomplis with unilateral development of them, at a time when talks on the islands are poised to resume.
　メドベージェフ露首相が７月に国後島に上陸して日本を挑発したことを念頭に置いた発言だ。日露間で交渉しようというのに、北方領土開発の既成事実を積み重ね、一方的に「ロシア化」を進めることは、断じて許されない。

Putin agreed with Noda that the issue should be solved in a quiet atmosphere without stirring up public sentiment. We think Putin should do what he said.
　プーチン大統領も「世論を刺激せず、静かな雰囲気の下で解決していきたい」と言明した。言葉通りの行動をとるべきである。

In economic discussions, Noda welcomed Russia's recent entry to the World Trade Organization. He also said Japan will cooperate in the development of Siberia in the Russian Far East if mutual trust is further enhanced.
　経済分野では、野田首相がロシアの世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）加盟を歓迎し、極東シベリア開発についても「相互信頼が進めば協力が現実のものとなる」と語った。

Putin expressed his expectation for increased investment from Japan. However, we hope Moscow will first improve Russia's investment climate, including the abolition of trade barriers.
　大統領は日本の投資拡大に期待感を表明したが、ロシアには、貿易障壁の撤廃など投資環境を一層改善してもらいたい。

After their talks, the two leaders witnessed a signing ceremony of a memorandum on construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal near Vladivostok, a project that Japanese firms and the Russian energy company Gazprom are working on.
　会談後、両首脳は、液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）工場建設に関する覚書の署名式に立ち会った。ウラジオストク近郊で、日本企業とロシア国営のガスプロムが進めているプロジェクトである。

===

Mutual benefits await

Russia is developing natural resources in its Far East region. Japan's demand for LNG has increased since the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, so ensuring a stable supply of the fuel for thermal power generation and importing the gas from a wider array of countries have become important issues for Japan. Energy cooperation will have huge merits for Japan and Russia.
　ロシアは極東の資源開発を進めている。日本では原発事故以来、ＬＮＧの需要が増え、火力発電用燃料の安定調達と輸入先の多様化が課題だ。エネルギーに関しては日露双方にメリットが大きい。

Tokyo and Moscow also inked a treaty on measures to control poaching and smuggling of crabs and other marine products in the Okhotsk Sea.
　両政府はまた、オホーツク海のカニなど水産物の密漁・密輸入対策に関する協定にも署名した。

These are not the only fields in which Japan and Russia can jointly work and benefit. Bilateral relations have strategic importance for both countries when it comes to dealing with China, which is expanding both economically and militarily.
　日露両国が連携し、ともに利益を享受できるのは、こうした分野にとどまらない。経済、軍事の両面で膨張し続ける中国と向き合っていくうえで、日露関係には戦略的な重要性がある。

We think Japan and Russia should deepen their interdependence because it could lead to a solution to the dispute over the northern territories.
　北方領土問題を解決する道筋をつけるためにも、日露の相互依存を深めていくべきだろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 9, 2012)
（2012年9月9日01時26分  読売新聞）

--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 8
EDITORIAL: Party elections must not undermine commitment to reform
ダブル党首選―一体改革を忘れるな

The Diet session has effectively ended, and the ruling Democratic Party of Japan and the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party have started gearing up for their respective leadership elections.
　国会が事実上閉幕し、民主、自民の両党首選が本格的に動き出した。

Within the DPJ, Environment Minister Goshi Hosono has decided against running in the party presidential election, while Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, former internal affairs minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi and former farm minister Hirotaka Akamatsu have announced their candidacies.
　民主党では、細野環境相が立候補を見送り、野田首相と原口元総務相、赤松元農林水産相が名乗りを上げた。

In the LDP, President Sadakazu Tanigaki and Nobutaka Machimura, former chief Cabinet secretary, have expressed their intention to run. Nobuteru Ishihara, party secretary-general, Shigeru Ishiba, former party policy chief, and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are also showing an interest in joining the contest.
　一方、自民党では谷垣総裁と町村元官房長官が立候補の意向を表明した。石原幹事長や石破前政調会長、安倍元首相、林元防衛相も意欲を示している。

The related moves that have been made so far within these two main parties have shown troubling signs that each leadership race is shaping up to be a popularity contest to choose each party's "poster boy" for the upcoming Lower House election.
　これまでの両党の動きをみると、遠からず行われる総選挙に向けた「選挙の顔」えらびの側面ばかりが目につく。

That's not good news for the nation.
　だが、それでは困るのだ。

One of the two new party heads is likely to lead this nation as prime minister after the Lower House poll. The candidates should make clear their political creeds and policy agendas to make sure that the party elections will be contests over qualifications as party leader.
　今回選ばれる両党首のいずれかが、総選挙後の首相として日本のかじ取りを担う可能性が高い。各候補は理念と政策を明確に掲げ、指導者としての資質を競う機会としてもらいたい。

What the candidates should do first is to make a public commitment to follow through with the deal on integrated tax and social security reform struck among the DPJ, the LDP and New Komeito.
　まず求めたいのは、民主、自民、公明の３党で合意した、社会保障と税の一体改革を引き継ぐことを明確にすることだ。

Since the enactment of legislation for the integrated reform, relations between the two main parties have become strained, partly because of the passage of a censure motion against Noda through the Upper House, with the support of the LDP.
　一体改革関連法の成立後、首相への問責決議の可決などで２大政党の関係は再びきしんでいる。

There is no prospect for the establishment of a new council for social security reform, which, under the agreement among the three parties, is supposed to develop a blueprint for the reform within one year.
１年以内に結論を出すとした、社会保障国民会議の設置もめどが立たない状態だ。

Details of the integrated reform have yet to be worked out, and many key issues remain to be tackled. How should the health-care and pension programs be bolstered, and how should policy efforts to support child care be expanded as the aging of the nation's population continues toward peak levels?
　一体改革の肉付けはこれからだ。高齢化のピークに向けて医療や年金制度をどう強化し、子育て支援策をどう充実するか。

The remaining tasks also include developing measures to ease the regressive taxation effects of the scheduled consumption tax hike and to enhance the income and inheritance taxes.
また、消費増税にともなう逆進性の緩和や、所得税や相続税の強化も積み残されている。

The agreement among the three parties has committed them to shield the social security system from partisan warfare and to work together to secure the long-term financial stability of the system even if power changes hands. That's the long and short of the deal.
　政権が代わっても、少なくとも社会保障制度は政争の具にせず、安定的に運営できる態勢を民自公３党を中心につくる。それこそが一体改革の眼目だったはずである。

This is a formal agreement among political parties. Breaching it would be tantamount to betraying the public, who are facing an increased tax burden due to the consumption tax raise.
　政党間の正式な約束だ。それを反故（ほご）にするようなことになれば、消費増税で負担増となる国民への裏切りにも等しい。

Some politicians within the LDP, including Abe, are apparently maneuvering for a policy alliance with Osaka Ishin no Kai, a local party headed by Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto that is planning to field candidates in the upcoming election, rather than with the DPJ.
　ところが、自民党では安倍元首相のように民主党ではなく、大阪維新の会との連携を模索する動きもある。

Osaka Ishin no Kai has proposed transferring the consumption tax revenue to local governments. If the LDP chooses the Hashimoto group over the DPJ, the three-party deal on the integrated reform could fall apart.
　その維新の会は「消費税の地方税化」を掲げる。もし自民党が維新の会との連携を優先するなら、民自公の一体改革は空中分解しかねない。

If that happens, the question will be what kind of political framework should be formed to establish a stable and sustainable social security system. The candidates have the political responsibility to offer clear and convincing answers to this question.
　その場合、安定的な社会保障制度をどんな政治の枠組みでつくっていくのか。説得力ある方針を示す責任がある。

There is also a long list of other policy challenges confronting this nation. Japan clearly needs to work out a new energy policy by settling the issue of restarting idled nuclear reactors, further liberalize its trade with key trade partners and repair its soured relations with its neighbors.
　原発再稼働を含むエネルギー政策、貿易自由化、近隣外交のあり方など、課題は山積している。

Serious disagreements on these issues within both the DPJ and the LDP are hampering the efforts to deal with these challenges.
しかも、それぞれで両党とも党内の意見が割れている。

The two parties should regard their leadership elections as a good opportunity to clarify their platforms and renew their commitments to key policy proposals for their campaigns for the general election.
　この党首選を、総選挙に向けて政策の方向性を整理し、公約を固め直す絶好のチャンスととらえてはどうか。

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Sep. 9, 2012)
Ruling, opposition blocs must rise above politicking
通常国会閉幕　停滞打破へ与野党は知恵絞れ（9月8日付・読売社説）

The ordinary session of the Diet, which has lasted more than seven months, adjourns on Saturday.
　７か月余に及んだ通常国会が８日閉幕する。

Relative to its long duration, the session cannot be considered very productive.
　長丁場の割には、非生産的だった。

There is an urgent need for both the ruling and opposition blocs to work out reforms of the legislature to break away from "politics incapable of making decisions."
　「決められない政治」から脱却するための国会改革に、与野党で取り組む必要がある。

The most important achievement in this Diet session was the enactment of a set of laws for comprehensive reform of the social security and tax systems.
It is significant that the long-overdue task of raising the consumption tax rate has been accomplished through cooperation among the Democratic Party of Japan, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito.
　最大の成果は、社会保障・税一体改革関連法の成立である。民主党と自民、公明両党が連携し、長年の懸案であった消費税率引き上げを決めた意義は大きい。

In a news conference on Friday, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda declared, "The stalemate of politics can surely be surmounted only if we politicians have a strong sense of responsibility and resolve, seeing things from a broad perspective."
　野田首相は記者会見で「政治家が使命感と覚悟を持ち、大局に立てば、政治の停滞を打破できる」と強調した。その通りだろう。

He is right to say so.

Cooperation among the DPJ, the LDP and Komeito, however, has been limited to a very narrow range, leaving a pile of Diet business unaddressed.
　だが、民自公の連携はごく一部に限られ、多くの懸案が残った。

===

DPJ leadership clumsy

The passage rate of fresh government-sponsored bills during this ordinary session was 66 percent, the second-lowest in the past 20 years. Both the ruling and opposition parties must do serious soul-searching about this.
政府が新規提出した法案のうち成立は６６％で、この２０年間で２番目に低い水準だ。与野党とも大いに反省しなければならない。

The impasse cannot be attributed only to the divided state of the Diet, with the opposition controlling the House of Councillors while the ruling camp has a majority in the House of Representatives.
　国会停滞の原因は、衆参のねじれだけではない。

As LDP President Sadakazu Tanigaki has pointed out, imbroglios within the DPJ have hampered steering of state affairs.
自民党の谷垣総裁は、民主党の混乱が国政の遂行を妨げた、と指摘した。

There were some conspicuous instances of poor management of Diet affairs by the DPJ leadership during the session. For instance, the issue of Diet approval of personnel appointments for a nuclear regulatory commission has been left unrealized due to the DPJ's clumsy handling of the matter.
　確かに、民主党執行部の稚拙な対応が目立った。例えば、原子力規制委員会人事の国会同意が実現しなかったことである。

After the government decided on candidates for the chairman and other members of the commission, one objection after another arose within the DPJ. The party leadership, fearful of internal rebellion, postponed votes on the candidates in both the lower and upper chambers' plenary sessions. The DPJ should be criticized for lacking awareness of its duty to shore up the government.
　政府が決めた委員長と委員の候補に対し、民主党内から異論が相次ぎ、造反を恐れた党執行部は、衆参両院本会議での議決を見送った。民主党には政府を支える自覚が足りないと言えよう。

Delay in launching the nuclear regulatory commission, which is to be in charge of revamping the administration for ensuring nuclear safety, can only raise more obstacles to resuming operations of idled nuclear power plants.
　原子力安全行政の立て直しを担う規制委の発足がずれ込めば、原子力発電所の再稼働にも支障が出る。

Under the circumstances, Noda has expressed his intention to appoint the commission's chairman and other members without Diet approval, based on a provision of the law for the establishment of the commission.
野田首相は規制委設置法に基づき、国会同意なしに委員長と委員を任命する考えを表明した。

Such action is inevitable.
やむを得ない措置である。

===

Opposition also culpable

Dealing with the problem of the disparity in the weight of votes in lower house elections, which the Supreme Court has ruled as being in a "state of unconstitutionality," has also been put off.
　違憲状態とされている衆院選の「１票の格差」是正も先送りされた。

The DPJ's attempt to focus on a bill that it prepared unilaterally without any effort to obtain support from the opposition has only aggravated the problem.
民主党が、野党の合意を得ず一方的に独自法案の審議を進めたことが事態をこじらせた。

But the opposition, too, should be held heavily responsible for throwing the Diet into confusion.
　一方、国会の混乱は野党にも大きな責任がある。

The opposition bloc passed censure motions against the prime minister and two other Cabinet members, subsequently boycotting Diet deliberations and stalling Diet business for a long period.
　参院で首相と２閣僚の問責決議を可決し、審議拒否によって国会を長期間空転させた。

What the current opposition has done is much the same as what the DPJ did when it was in opposition. How long will opposition parties continue to engage in such futile showdowns with the government?
　野党時代の民主党と同様の手法だ。こんな不毛な対立をいつまで繰り返すのか。

The opposition must refrain from using censure motions, which have no binding power, as means of political maneuvering.
法的拘束力のない問責決議を政争に使うことは慎まねばならない。

The bill for issuing deficit-covering government bonds has been scrapped because of resistance from opposition parties.
　赤字国債を発行するための特例公債法案は、野党の反対で廃案となった。

As a result, the government has been unable to secure revenue sources for budgetary appropriations and has had to refrain from implementing parts of the budget, including allocation of tax grants to local governments. This is a situation that can adversely affect people's lives.
予算の裏付けとなる財源を担保できず、政府は地方交付税交付金の配分など予算執行の一部抑制に踏み切る。国民生活に悪影響を及ぼしかねない事態だ。

Both the ruling and opposition camps make a point of engaging in politicking for the sake of their own selfish interests. This must stop.
　与野党が党利党略で駆け引きにうつつを抜かす。そんな政治に終止符を打ってもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 8, 2012)
（2012年9月8日01時45分  読売新聞）