日中韓首脳会談 ＦＴＡと「北」で具体的成果を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 15, 2012)
Japan, China, South Korea cooperation promising
日中韓首脳会談　ＦＴＡと「北」で具体的成果を（5月14日付・読売社説）

It is hoped that broad cooperation between Japan, China and South Korea will result in substantial progress on such key issues as the formation of a free trade zone and North Korea’s nuclear development program.
　日中韓３か国の幅広い協力を、自由貿易圏の形成や北朝鮮の核開発など重要課題における具体的な成果につなげたい。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda agreed with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and South Korean President Lee Myung Bak in their summit meeting in Beijing to launch negotiations on a three-way free trade agreement by the end of this year.
　野田首相が北京で中国の温家宝首相、韓国の李明博大統領と会談し、日中韓の自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）交渉を年内に開始することで合意した。

The three countries signed a three-party investment accord, which specifies the protection of intellectual property rights and other issues, a prerequisite for the envisaged FTA.
　３か国は、ＦＴＡの前提となる、知的財産権の保護などを定めた日中韓の投資協定に署名した。

Because South Korea initially indicated its priority was on concluding an FTA with China, it was considered uncertain whether the three countries would be able to agree on starting negotiations for the three-way accord. Given this background, we welcome the latest agreement among the three leaders.
　韓国が当初、中韓２国間のＦＴＡを優先する姿勢を見せ、３か国の交渉入りが危ぶまれていただけに、今回の合意を歓迎したい。

It will be very significant if the three countries–which together account for about 20 percent of the global gross domestic product–form a free trade zone. In addition, it is vital for Japan’s growth strategy to increase its trade with China and South Korea, countries that are rapidly boosting economic activities.
　世界の国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の約２割を占める日中韓が自由貿易圏を作る意義は大きい。急速に経済を拡大させている中韓両国との貿易を活発化することは、日本の成長戦略にも欠かせない。

===

Japan still stuck at home

China became positive about forming a three-party FTA partly because Japan began full-fledged moves toward participating in negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership framework, the establishment of which the United States, Australia and seven other countries are now negotiating.
　中国が日韓とのＦＴＡに前向きになった背景には、米豪など９か国が交渉中の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）への参加に日本が本格的に動き始めたことがある。

Yet, Japan is still unable to announce its participation in the TPP negotiations due to delayed coordination of different opinions at home. The later our country participates in the negotiations, the less room there will be for it to become involved in setting the rules of international trade within the framework.
　だが、日本は国内調整の遅れから、ＴＰＰ交渉参加を表明できないでいる。参加が遅れるほど、日本は国際貿易のルール作りに関与する余地が狭まってしまう。

In addition to taking part in the U.S.-led TPP negotiations as soon as possible, the government must proactively promote reforms and strengthen competitiveness of the domestic farming sector. We believe such efforts would favorably affect the establishment of an FTA between Japan, China and South Korea.
　米国主導のＴＰＰ交渉に早期に参加するとともに、国内農業の改革と競争力強化に積極的に取り組む必要がある。それが日中韓ＦＴＡにも良い影響を与えよう。

The three leaders also agreed to beef up cooperation over North Korea’s nuclear activities. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said it is important to prevent the country from resorting to further provocative actions, including a new nuclear test.
　首脳会談では、北朝鮮の核問題について日中韓の連携を強化することで一致した。野田首相は「核実験を含む、さらなる挑発行為を防ぐことが重要だ」と語った。

To this end, it will be vital that Japan, the United States and South Korea, which are taking a hard line with North Korea, and China, which takes a conciliatory approach to the country, keep in step with each other.
　肝心なのは、北朝鮮に厳しい日米韓などと、融和的な中国との足並みをそろえることだ。

===

Sanctions cranked up

North Korea launched a ballistic missile in mid-April. In response, the U.N. Security Council approved additional sanctions against the country on May 2, under which three more organizations related to Pyongyang, including a North Korean trading firm, were added to the list of entities subject to asset freezes their assets by U.N. members.
　先月中旬に弾道ミサイルを発射した北朝鮮に対し、国連安全保障理事会は今月２日、北朝鮮の貿易会社など３団体を資産凍結の対象に加える制裁を決定した。

Though Japan, the United States, South Korea and others proposed adding about 40 organizations to the asset freeze list, the number was reduced to three due to China’s objection.
　日米韓などは約４０団体の追加を提案したが、中国の反対で３団体にとどまった。

We regret to say that the latest sanctions are insufficient as a penalty against North Korea, which neglected calls from the international community not to go ahead with the ballistic missile launch.
国際社会の発射中止要求を無視した北朝鮮への懲罰として、十分とは言えない。

“This is the time to adopt more effective measures,” President Lee said. To prevent a nuclear test by North Korea, it is important to step up pressure on Pyongyang to exercise self-restraint.
　北朝鮮の核実験の阻止には、李大統領が「より効果的な方策を講じる時点に来ている」と指摘したように、北朝鮮に自制を促す圧力を強めることが重要だ。

As a country that has influence on North Korea through its food and energy assistance, China has a great responsibility and role to play in this respect.
　食糧やエネルギー支援を通じて北朝鮮への一定の影響力を持つ中国の責任と役割は大きい。

China has so far maintained the stance of not provoking North Korea by any means. A change in Beijing’s position would make cooperation between Japan, China and South Korea even more substantial.
　とにかく北朝鮮を刺激しない、という従来の姿勢を中国が転換することが、日中韓協力をより実の伴うものに高めよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 14, 2012)
（2012年5月14日01時35分 読売新聞）

外資の森林買収 水源地保全のルール作り急げ

タイでは外国人の土地購入は固く禁止されています。これが当り前ではないでしょうか。
江戸時代や明治の初期、娘を借金の肩代わりとして差し出す悪しき風習がありました。
国土を外国人に売り渡すことは、これと同じようなものではないでしょうか。
法改正を望みます。

（スラチャイ）

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 14, 2012)
Establish rules to protect watershed areas quickly
外資の森林買収　水源地保全のルール作り急げ　（5月13日付・読売社説）

Foreign purchases of Japan’s woodlands are on the rise.
　外国資本による森林の買収が拡大している。

A total of 157 hectares of forest was acquired with foreign capital in 2011, almost four times the amount from a year earlier, according to data compiled by the Forestry Agency and the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry. The total from 2006 to 2011 reached as much as 785 hectares in seven prefectures, including Hokkaido, where nearly 90 percent of such purchases took place.
　林野庁と国土交通省がまとめた２０１１年の買収実績は１５７ヘクタールで、前年の約４倍に増加した。０６年からの累計は、７道県で７８５ヘクタールに及び、北海道が全体の９割以上を占めている。

However, a survey of prefectural governments by The Yomiuri Shimbun this spring found the total area purchased with foreign capital reached 1,100 hectares, greatly exceeding the government’s figures.
　読売新聞が今春、都道府県を対象に実施した調査では、買収面積は計１１００ヘクタールに達し、政府の統計を大きく上回った。

As cases have been coming to light of Chinese companies acquiring land under the names of Japanese intermediary firms, the survey finding is probably just the tip of the iceberg.
　中国企業などが、仲介する日本企業の名義で買収する事例も表面化しており、調査結果は「氷山の一角」に過ぎないだろう。

Worrisome is the fact that many of the acquired forested areas are in watersheds on which local communities depend. There have also been acquisitions of forested areas for purposes that are not clear. Should vital watershed areas be developed without restraint, the daily lives of local people could be threatened.
　懸念されるのは、買収案件に地域の水源にかかる森林が多く含まれていることだ。利用目的がはっきりしないケースもある。水源地が乱開発される事態になれば、住民生活が脅かされかねない。

Even among those Western countries where land ownership by foreigners is permitted, a number of them restrict the ownership or development of areas near water sources.
　外国人の土地保有を認める欧米でも、水源地周辺は所有や開発を規制している国が多い。

===

Keep an eagle eye on forests

The government must become more aware of land ownership and transactions, and discuss restrictions for protecting these areas.
政府は、水源地の売買や保有の実態を十分把握し、保全のために必要な規制を検討すべきである。

With its enforcement last month, the revised Forest Law makes it mandatory for transactions involving forest lots of less than one hectare to be reported to authorities upon acquisition. Previously, there was no reporting requirement for lots of that size.
　４月に施行された改正森林法は、従来は対象外だった１ヘクタール未満の森林売買についても取得後の届け出義務を課した。

Although the enforcement of the revision is a step forward, it is hardly sufficient since authorities will learn of such purchases only after the deals are made.
一歩前進ではあるが、事後に取引を把握するため、十分とは言い難い。

With their own ordinances enforced in April, the prefectural governments of Hokkaido and Saitama have made it obligatory for land transactions around the headwaters of rivers to be reported to them in advance.
　北海道と埼玉県は４月施行の条例で、水源周辺の土地取引には事前の届け出を義務付けた。

Four other prefectures, including Yamagata and Gunma, are considering the enactment of similar ordinances.
山形、群馬など４県も同様の条例制定を検討中という。

We approve of local governments proactively taking defensive measures. Upon learning of a questionable potential transaction involving land in a vital watershed, local governments may be able to take such countermeasures as acquiring the area themselves.
　自治体が独自の防衛策に乗り出したのは評価できる。事前に動きを把握できれば、自治体の買い上げなど対抗策も可能になろう。

Yet under the Japanese legal system, land dealings themselves cannot be restricted, making it unclear whether such ordinances will be effective.
　ただ、日本の法制度では、土地取引自体は規制できず、条例が有効かどうかは不透明だ。

At the same time, the role of foreign capital in revitalizing the local economy is significant. What is needed is a rule to ensure that forest land transactions the local governments cannot currently keep an eye on are brought to light, rather than one to merely inflame wariness against foreign capital to no purpose.
　一方、外資の誘致が地域経済の活性化に果たす役割は、小さくない。外資への警戒感をいたずらにあおるのではなく、行政の目が届かない山林取引を放置しないようなルール作りが必要だ。

===

Controls must not go too far

Legal provisions are needed to define the lands to be protected, such as vital watershed areas, and to restrict trading in those areas specifically.
　水源林など守るべき土地を明確化し、そこでは特例的に取引を規制する法整備が求められる。

The protection of the headwaters of rivers is an important issue for national security. Compared to local governments, however, the central government has less sense of crisis. Cooperative links among relevant ministries have not been formed.
　水源林保全は国の安全保障上も重要な課題である。だが、自治体に比べ、政府の危機感は薄い。関係省庁の連携もできていない。

The ruling Democratic Party of Japan launched a working-group panel concerning land acquisition by foreigners in January last year and advocates a policy of studying the possibility of regulating foreign acquisition of areas near the headwaters of rivers or Self-Defense Forces facilities.
　民主党は、外国人による土地取得に関する作業部会を昨年１月に発足させ、水源地や自衛隊関連施設の周辺などを対象に規制を検討する方針を掲げている。

We hope the government will more clearly recognize the importance of conservation of national land and exercise political leadership to take comprehensive measures to deal with the issue.
　国土保全の重要性を認識し、政治主導で包括的な対策を講じてもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 13, 2012)
（2012年5月13日01時44分 読売新聞）

社説:プーチン新体制 関係深めて突破口探れ

May 11, 2012(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Japan should work with Russia to solve territorial dispute as Putin becomes president
社説:プーチン新体制　関係深めて突破口探れ

Japan should seek a breakthrough in its deadlocked territorial dispute with Russia by strengthening its relations with the new administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
（プーチン新政権との関係強化で行き詰まっている北方領土問題も解決して欲しい　trans. by srachai　）

Putin, former prime minister, has been sworn in as president again and appointed his predecessor Dmitry Medvedev as prime minister, whose role is to handle domestic affairs.
　ロシアでプーチン前首相が４年ぶりに大統領に復帰し、メドベージェフ前大統領はその下で内政を取り仕切る首相に就任した。

In other words, the two swapped their positions, and Putin, who had been the second-in-command in the Russian government under the Constitution, has become the top leader again and is expected to show his strong leadership in governing the country.
２人が役どころをかえた形だが、これまで憲法上は「ナンバー２」だったプーチン氏が名実ともに国家指導者の座に返り咲き、ロシアの一層の国力強化に向けて強い主導権を発揮していくことになるだろう。

However, the second Putin administration, which follows his first administration from 2000 to 2008, faces a thorny path.
　だが、００～０８年に続く「第２次プーチン政権」の船出は波乱含みだ。

More than 20,000 citizens gathered for a demonstration in Moscow on May 6 to express their opposition to Putin’s return to the presidency, and some of them clashed with police, leading to the arrests of over 400 people.
大統領就任式を前に６日、プーチン氏の復帰に反対するモスクワの抗議デモに２万人以上が集まり、一部が警官隊と衝突して４００人以上が拘束された。

Massive demonstrations against Putin, which had continued since a lower house election in December last year, did not cause major confusion.
　昨年１２月の下院選後、今年３月の大統領選をはさんで続いてきた政権への大規模な抗議行動は、これまで大きな混乱はなかった。

This time, however, some participants went off the designated course during their demonstration march and security authorities suppressed them.
新体制の船出としては異例の事態といえる。

It is certain that such confusion and disturbance will continue to occur frequently unless the government changes its autocratic nature, which is represented by its lack of a system to respond to the public’s dissatisfaction.
今回はデモ隊の一部が既定のコースを外れ、当局が力で抑え込みにかかった。
国民の不満をくみ上げる政治システムに欠ける強権的な政権の体質が変わらなければ、こうした混乱が今後も頻発するのは確実だ。

One cannot help but wonder whether Putin is serious about strengthening Russia’s democracy as he pledged in his inaugural address.
プーチン氏は、就任あいさつで約束した「ロシアの民主主義の強化」に真剣に取り組むつもりなのか。

He should be aware that the international community as a whole is worried about Russia’s democracy.
国際社会に懸念があることを自覚してもらいたい。

On the diplomatic front, concerns have been voiced over whether Putin will revive the hard line that he had adopted when he was president from 2000 and 2008.
　外交政策でも、プーチン氏が前回の大統領時代にとった強硬路線の復活を懸念する声がある。

He has so far shown no sign of responding to U.S. President Barack Obama’s proposal to launch negotiations toward further arms reductions.
オバマ米大統領からの一層の核軍縮へ向けた交渉開始の呼びかけには、今のところ応じる気配は見せておらず、

Moreover, he reportedly has no intention of attending the Group of Eight summit meeting to be held in the United States in May.
５月に米国で開かれる主要８カ国（Ｇ８）首脳会議にも出席しないという。

Putin is highly likely to make his diplomatic debut since he assumed the presidency again at a summit meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
　大統領復帰の「外交デビュー」は６月初めに北京で開かれる上海協力機構の首脳会議になる可能性が高い。

In September, he will host a summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Vladivostok, which will be the first such conference to be held in Russia.
９月には極東ウラジオストクで、ロシアで初めてのアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議を主催する。

These show that Putin places priority on strengthening Russia’s relations with Asian countries.
当面はプーチン氏がアジアとの関係強化を優先課題と考えていることの表れといえる。

In the first presidential decree he issued following his inauguration, Putin cited the promotion of reciprocal cooperation with Japan as one of his key policies.
　就任にあたって発出した大統領令の中では、日本との「互恵協力の発展」を基本路線の一つに掲げた。

However, Putin’s inauguration as president has drawn mixed reactions in Japan, with some placing high expectations on his policy of attaching importance to Russia’s ties with Asian countries and others warning against optimism because Moscow’s demand for compromise from Japan over the bilateral territorial dispute remains unchanged.
日本では、プーチン氏のアジア重視路線に期待する声と、北方領土問題で日本に譲歩を迫る姿勢は変わらないとして期待を戒める声がある。

These two views appear to conflict with each other, but both are right.
この二つは一見矛盾するようだが、いずれも正しい。

Behind Putin’s policy of attaching importance to Russia’s ties with Asia is his hard-headed strategy of using Asia’s economic dynamism, including Japan’s advanced technology, to develop the country’s Far Eastern region and modernize the country’s economy.
日本の高度な技術力などアジアの経済活力を取り込み、シベリア・極東地域の発展と国家経済の近代化につなげたいプーチン氏の冷徹な国家戦略がアジア重視の背景にある。

Japan should position its diplomacy toward Russia, including its economic cooperation, as a pillar of its overall national strategy and deepen its relations with Russia’s new administration in an effort to seek a breakthrough in the territorial dispute.
日本も、エネルギーなどの経済協力も含めた対露外交を大局的な国家戦略の中に位置づけ、ロシア新政権との関係を深める中から領土問題解決の突破口を探るべきだ。

毎日新聞　2012年05月11日　02時30分

生活保護見直し 自立を促し不正許さぬ制度に

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 12, 2012)
Reform welfare system to help those helping themselves
生活保護見直し　自立を促し不正許さぬ制度に（5月11日付・読売社説）

As the economic situation continues to deteriorate, the number of people receiving welfare benefits has risen to almost 2.1 million. Reforming the welfare system to help people willing to work become self-reliant is an urgent task.
　経済情勢の悪化を背景に、生活保護の受給者が増え続け、２１０万人に迫っている。働く意欲のある人の自立を助ける制度改革が急務である。

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has presented to the Social Security Council a basic draft for discussions on reforming the welfare system. The ministry plans to flesh out welfare reform as a “livelihood support strategy” by autumn.
　厚生労働省は、生活保護制度を改革するため、社会保障審議会に議論のたたき台を示した。秋までに「生活支援戦略」として具体化する。

One prominent feature of the plan is the proposed establishment of a “working income accumulation system.” Under this system, a certain proportion of the income received by a welfare recipient would be accumulated and given in a lump sum when they get off welfare.
　注目されるのは、新設を検討する「就労収入積立制度」だ。働いて得た収入の一定割合を積み立て、生活保護から脱した時にまとめて受け取る仕組みである。

One reason for ballooning welfare expenses has been the increase in welfare recipients in the prime of their working life. In recent years, many nonregular employees who are not enrolled in unemployment insurance immediately ended up relying on welfare benefits after losing their job.
　生活保護の膨張の一因は、働き盛り世代の受給者の増加にある。近年は雇用保険に未加入の非正規労働者が、失業によって一気に生活保護に陥るケースが目立つ。

Although people want to get off welfare, it is difficult for many to find a job that pays well. The reality is that a worker’s income gradually rises as their career progresses.
　生活保護から抜け出したくても収入のよい仕事に就くのは容易ではない。徐々に収入を増やしていく、というのが現実だ。

===

Stamp out fraud

Under the current system, however, if welfare recipients work and earn income, the benefits they receive will in principle be cut by the amount they earned. Observers have pointed out that this system drains a recipient’s will to get off welfare because they end up with the same amount of money regardless of whether they work or not.
　ところが現行制度は原則として働いて収入を得ると、その分、生活保護の給付額がカットされる。働いても働かなくても同じでは、生活保護から脱却しようという意欲をそぐ、と指摘されていた。

Therefore, the working income accumulation system can be expected to have a positive effect in this regard. The money a worker accumulates will not result in a cut in their welfare benefits. Welfare recipients thus will be able to better prepare financially for the future and their will to work and become self-reliant will grow. Their income will increase and the government’s welfare expenditures will fall.
　それだけに、積立制度には効果が期待される。積み立て分は給付減額の対象とはならない。将来に備えることができ、就労、自立への意欲は高まろう。収入全体が増え、給付される公費も減る。

We suggest the government quickly settle the details of the envisaged system, including the percentage of income that will be accumulated, and promptly introduce it even on a trial basis.
　どの程度の割合で積み立てるかなど細部の設計を急ぎ、試験的にでも速やかに実行してはどうか。

At the same time, it may be necessary to create more job opportunities for welfare recipients, including positions at public facilities.
併せて、公共施設の業務など就労機会を作ることも必要だろう。

Welfare benefits are expected to exceed 3.7 trillion yen this fiscal year. In the past five years, the amount has increased by as much as 1 trillion yen.
　生活保護の給付総額は今年度、３兆７０００億円を超える見通しだ。この５年間で、１兆円も膨らんでいる。

Welfare fraud must be thoroughly prevented to stop this figure from rising further. This is especially true for medical care benefits, which account for about half of total welfare benefit expenses.
これを抑制するためにも不正の防止は徹底すべきだ。特に、生活保護費の約半分を占める医療給付である。

===

LDP must lend a hand

Currently, people on welfare are exempted from paying medical expenses, and in many cases they receive more medical examinations than necessary. Also, there are unscrupulous medical institutions that earn medical treatment fees by examining mostly welfare recipients.
　生活保護受給者は医療費の自己負担がなく、必要以上の診療を受けていることが少なくない。受給者ばかりを集め、診療報酬を稼ぐ悪質な医療機関も存在する。

The ministry is discussing strengthening measures to prevent fraud, including establishing a system in which another doctor will be asked to decide whether medical examinations are being conducted appropriately. Such steps will be essential for making welfare benefit expenses more transparent.
　厚労省は、診療内容が適正かどうか別の医師にも判断を求める制度など、不正防止の強化策を検討中だ。生活保護費の透明性を高めるために不可欠である。

The main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, which is discussing a counterproposal for integrated reform of the social security and tax systems, also heavily favors boosting welfare recipients’ self-reliance. The LDP has presented a policy of curbing benefits by placing greater emphasis on assistance for welfare recipients trying to stand on their own feet.
　社会保障と税の一体改革で対案を検討中の自民党も、「自助」を重視する立場から、自立支援策に力点を置いて生活保護給付を抑制する方針を打ち出している。

A review of welfare benefit payments also is an important pillar of the integrated reform. The ruling and opposition parties should work together to advance welfare system reform from various angles.
　生活保護の見直しも、一体改革の重要な柱である。与野党で力を合わせ、多角的に制度改革を進めるべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 11, 2012)
（2012年5月11日01時28分 読売新聞）

プーチン大統領 見定めたいアジア重視戦略

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 11, 2012)
Putin’s diplomatic strategies require careful scrutiny
プーチン大統領　見定めたいアジア重視戦略（5月10日付・読売社説）

After an interval of four years, Vladimir Putin has returned to the post of Russian president. His new administration will have its hands full dealing with a stack of problems.
　ロシアでプーチン氏が４年ぶりに大統領に復帰した。多くの難題を抱えた新体制発足である。

“We have strengthened our country and returned our dignity as a great nation,” Putin said at his inauguration ceremony. Putin’s message conveyed his intention to continue pursuing a strong Russia.
　就任式で、プーチン氏は、「我々は国を強くし、偉大な国民の誇りを取り戻した」と述べ、今後も強いロシアを追求する姿勢を示した。

Many ears pricked up when Putin recently expressed a specific economic goal of becoming one of the world’s top five economies in the near future.
　具体的な目標として、世界５位以内の経済大国入りを掲げていることが注目される。

However, to achieve this target, Russia will first need to break free from its excessive dependence on natural resources and develop its domestic industries, such as manufacturing, so that they are competitive in international markets. It is also vital that Russia introduce cutting-edge technologies.
　それには、何よりも、資源依存体質を変え、国際競争力を持つ製造業など国内産業を育成しなければならない。先端技術の導入は不可欠である。

Russia will not be able to obtain the trust of domestic and foreign investors without creating fair markets and an environment that attracts foreign investment.
　公正な市場の形成に取り組み、外国の投資を呼び込むための環境を整備しなければ、国内外から信頼は得られない。

The new president urgently needs to eradicate the widespread corruption in his country and establish the rule of law. Putin was expected to tackle these issues when he first took office in 2000, but the problems remain unresolved.
　ロシア社会にはびこる汚職を一掃し、法治を確立することが急務だ。プーチン氏が２０００年に初めて大統領になった時以来の宿題だが、依然改善できずにいる。

===

Public discontent growing

The fact that thousands of people participated in a demonstration held on the eve of Putin’s inauguration shows how frustrated many Russians are with the current state of affairs.
　就任式前日、多くの市民が参加して反プーチン集会が開かれたのは、不満の大きさの表れだ。

To obtain the backing of middle-class Russians seeking change, Putin will need to boldly reform the nation’s political and administrative structures. In fact, this will be the only way Russia can achieve economic development.
　変革を求める中間層からも支持を得られるように、政治・行政の大胆な見直しを進めてこそ、経済発展も可能となろう。

In one of Putin’s first presidential orders, he stated a policy of strengthening cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region.
　プーチン氏は、就任後最初の大統領令で、アジア太平洋との連携を強化する方針を示した。

He said Moscow plans to establish mutually beneficial, cooperative relationships with nations such as Japan, South Korea and Australia, and to deepen ties with China and India.
　中国、インドなどとの関係を深める一方、日本、韓国、オーストラリアなどとも互恵協力関係の構築を図りたいとしている。

As long as Russia aspires to become a major economic power, it is unsurprising that the country is looking closely at the Asia-Pacific region, which has become a hub of the world’s economic growth.
　経済大国化を目指す以上、世界の成長拠点であるアジア太平洋に着目したのは当然だ。

In September, an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting will be held in Vladivostok. Russia will likely use this meeting as a stepping stone for strengthening economic cooperation with Asia-Pacific nations.
　９月にウラジオストクで開くアジア太平洋経済協力会議（ＡＰＥＣ）首脳会議を、連携強化の足掛かりにする狙いがあろう。

===

Don’t forget northern territories

Russia has recently become increasingly important to Japan as a supplier of liquefied natural gas–a main fuel for thermal power plants. Strengthening bilateral economic cooperation in the energy field would benefit both countries.
　日本にとって、火力発電所の主力燃料となる液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）をロシアから輸入することは、重要性を増している。エネルギー分野で経済協力を拡大することは日露両国に有益だろう。

However, we should not forget the issue of the Russian-held northern territories off Hokkaido. The Japan-Russia relationship soured during the administration of Putin’s predecessor, Dmitry Medvedev. Moscow expressed hope for developing joint economic activities on the four islands, but never tried to move territorial talks forward.
　しかし、北方領土問題を忘れてはならない。メドベージェフ前大統領のもとで、日露関係は険悪化した。ロシア側は、日露両国による北方４島での共同経済活動には期待感を示すものの、領土交渉を動かす考えはなかった。

In his third term, Putin will likely take a tough line on foreign policies due to his unstable political footing caused by domestic concerns. Japan should not expect too much on the development of territorial talks.
　大統領として３期目に入ったプーチン氏は、内政で足元が揺れているだけに、対外的には強い姿勢を崩すまい。交渉進展に大きな期待を抱くのは禁物である。

The Japanese government must rebuild its strategy vis-a-vis Russia after thoroughly examining Putin’s diplomatic policies.
　日本政府は、プーチン氏の外交方針を十分見極めて、対露戦略を再構築しなければならない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 10, 2012)
（2012年5月10日01時46分 読売新聞）

一体改革法案 与野党協議へ「建設的対案」を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (May. 10, 2012)
Realistic counterproposals needed from LDP
一体改革法案　与野党協議へ「建設的対案」を（5月9日付・読売社説）

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has declared it is “no exaggeration to say” he is staking his political life on passage of a package of bills for comprehensive reform of the social security and tax systems, on which Diet deliberations started Tuesday.
　「政治生命を懸けるといった言葉に掛け値はない」――。野田首相がこう明言する社会保障と税の一体改革関連法案の審議が始まった。

The ruling and opposition parties should make serious concessions with the aim of passing the bills as soon as possible.
　与野党は大胆に歩み寄り、早期の成立を目指すべきだ。

During a question-and-answer session in the House of Representatives, Tadamori Oshima, vice president of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party, referred to the current gridlock in politics under the divided Diet. “It is desirable to establish rules regarding negotiations among parties so as to form a new policymaking process,” he said.
　衆院本会議の質疑で自民党の大島理森副総裁は「衆参ねじれ」による政治の停滞に関連し、「政党間協議のルールを確立し、新たな政策決定プロセスを構築することこそが求められる」と述べた。

Oshima also expressed his party’s willingness to join negotiations between the ruling and opposition camps, depending on the Democratic Party of Japan’s handling of discussions on the bills.
　大島氏は、民主党の対応によっては与野党協議に応じても良い、との意向も明らかにした。

It is noteworthy that momentum has been finally generated to move toward debate on the integrated reform.
　一体改革に向けて、話し合いの機運がようやく出てきたことは評価できよう。

===

Cooperation crucial

To pass bills under the divided Diet, it is crucial for the government to gain cooperation from the LDP and other opposition parties. Noda must exercise his leadership to create an environment to elicit it.
　ねじれ国会で、政府が法案を成立させるには自民党など野党の協力が不可欠だ。野田首相は指導力を発揮し、野党の協力を得るための環境を整える必要がある。

The LDP has demanded the DPJ drop its plans to create a new pension system that would include a guaranteed minimum pension, as well as abolish a special health insurance system for people aged 75 and older. The two measures were among the major policies the party pledged in its manifesto for the 2009 lower house election.
　自民党は、最低保障年金を柱とする新年金制度案と、後期高齢者医療制度の廃止方針の撤回を求めた。ともに民主党の政権公約（マニフェスト）の看板政策だ。

Noda has only indicated he would leave a decision up to the DPJ. We believe, however, the party has no choice but to drop those policies to pave the way for the ruling and opposition parties to hold talks on the bills.
　首相は党内の検討に委ねる考えを示したが、与野党協議の実現に向けて撤回するしかあるまい。

The prime minister instead urged the LDP to make “constructive counterproposals” on the comprehensive reform.
　首相は逆に、自民党に「建設的な対案」の提示を求めた。

When it comes to the social security system, the opposition party’s counterproposal is unlikely to significantly differ from the government’s legislation on integrating corporate employees’ and mutual-aid pensions because the current government’s plan is almost the same as the one submitted in 2007 by the coalition government between the LDP and New Komeito.
　自民党の社会保障の対案は、政府案と大きく違うことはないだろう。政府が提出している厚生、共済両年金の一元化法案は、自公政権が２００７年に提出した法案とほとんど同じ内容である。

We believe that it would not take much time for the ruling and opposition camps to reach a consensus as long as the LDP makes a counterproposal on this issue.
　自民党が対案を出せば、与野党の合意形成にそう時間はかからないのではないか。

The LDP also should compile a counterproposal on raising the consumption tax rate, in which support measures for low-income earners would be a major focal point.
　自民党は、消費税率引き上げでも対案をまとめるべきだ。低所得者対策が一つの焦点となる。

===

Examine reduced tax system

The government’s bill to raise the consumption tax rate includes granting cash benefits to those with lower incomes, which might result in bloating the amounts of the planned cash allowances. The government would undermine the efficacy of the tax hike if it implements yet another handout policy at the same time.
　低所得者への現金給付を軸とする政府案は、給付額が膨らむ恐れがある。新たなバラマキとなれば増税の効果は損なわれよう。

In Europe, which has a tradition of value-added taxes, reduced tax rate systems have been adopted with the aim of lowering the taxes on food and other daily necessities, as well as newspapers and books.
　付加価値税の歴史が長い欧州では、食料品など生活必需品や、新聞・書籍などに対する軽減税率が定着している。

The LDP has been examining the introduction of a reduced tax rate system apparently because it regards the mechanism as realistic in light of the European example. We propose the government positively study the system.
　自民党が軽減税率を検討しているのは、欧州を参考に現実的な案と判断しているからだろう。政府も前向きに考えてはどうか。

There is a concern, however, over Diet deliberations on the package of bills for the integrated reform. The LDP has set a precondition for holding discussions in a special committee: the replacement of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Takeshi Maeda and Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka, who were recently censured by the opposition-controlled House of Councillors.
　今後、一体改革法案の審議を進める上で懸念材料もある。自民党は、参院で問責された前田国土交通相と田中防衛相を辞めさせることを特別委員会での審議に応じる条件としている。

However, neither of the two ministers have anything to do with the social security or tax systems. The LDP should decouple debate on the bill from calling for the ministers to be replaced.
　だが、両氏とも社会保障・税とは無関係だ。辞任要求と、法案の審議は切り離すべきである。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 9, 2012)
（2012年5月9日02時17分 読売新聞）

社説:超高齢社会 「肩車型」の常識を疑え

May 05, 2012(Mainichi Japan)
Editorial: Aging society does not necessarily spell doom
社説:超高齢社会　「肩車型」の常識を疑え

Longevity is something to be celebrated, but when it comes to the aging of Japanese society, it is often discussed in a pessimistic tone.
　長寿はおめでたいことなのに、高齢化となると悲観論をもって語られることが多い。

One reason for this is the continuing decline in people of working age. Learning that our society is shifting from one in which four working people financially support one senior citizen, to another in which each working person must support one senior citizen — a so-called “piggyback” setup — would make anyone anxious. And indeed, that is exactly what is happening.
現役世代の人口が減り続けているせいでもある。現役４人が高齢者１人を背負う「騎馬戦型」から、現役１人が高齢者１人を背負う「肩車型」になると言われたら誰しも不安になるだろう。たしかに人口比率はそのようになる。

This unfolding state of affairs has prompted calls to raise Japan’s tax and insurance rates, which are some of the lowest among all industrialized nations around the world. But perhaps because Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and other officials lack the rhetoric to persuade the public of the validity of their policy, the push to establish a full-fledged piggyback arrangement appears to be undermining confidence in the country’s social security system.
　だからこそ先進国最低レベルの国民負担率（税と保険の負担）をもう少し引き上げるべきだという文脈で「肩車型」説は登場したはずだったが、野田佳彦首相らの言い方がまずいのだろうか、逆に社会保障制度の信頼性を揺るがせているようにも思える。

It would be ironic if the number of people signing up with the national pension or health insurance plans were to shrink as a result.
そのせいで年金や保険の未加入者が増えているのだとしたらあまりに皮肉だ。

So let us take a closer look at why piggyback systems spur pessimism.
現役の負担は増えない　ここは世の「肩車型＝悲観論」の常識を疑ってみようではないか。

Accepting the premise that the ratio of working-age citizens (people aged 15 to 64) to senior citizens (those aged 65 and over) will eventually become one to one, the important thing when evaluating the stability of the social security system is the ratio between those in the work force earning money, and those who are being supported.
現役（１５～６４歳）と高齢者（６５歳以上）の人口比がいずれ１対１になるのは間違いないとして、社会保障の安定性を考える上で大事なのは働いて所得を得ている層と「支えられる側」の比率であることを忘れてはならない。

It’s not just senior citizens that the working population supports.
「支えられる側」にいるのは高齢者だけではない。

It was common for families to have and therefore provide for many children in the era immediately after World War II, but the number of children per household has been in decline more recently.
戦後間もないころの親は大勢の子供たちを育てていたが、今は子供の数が減り続けている。

Those who required financial support in the past also included housewives, the disabled, and those who were ill, but today, there are more two-income households than single-income households, and the employment of the disabled is on the rise.
　また、以前の「支えられる側」には専業主婦、障害者、病気の人も含まれていたが、今は専業主婦世帯よりも共働き世帯の方が増え、障害者の雇用率も上がっている。

Moreover, there are far more people working past the age of 65 today than there were before.
また、６５歳を過ぎても働いている高齢者は以前と比べものにならないほど多くなった。

Shut-ins and NEETs (people “not in education, employment, or training”) undoubtedly do exist, but even taking such populations into account, the ratio between those who do the supporting and those who receive support has barely changed over the past few decades.
ひきこもりやニートなど現役世代で働いていない人もいるが、これらのデータを含めて総合的に見ると、「支える側」と「支えられる側」の比率はこの数十年ほとんど変化がない。

If senior citizens and housewives continue to work outside the home, thereby expanding the population providing for those who need support, the burden on the working population should not increase.
今後も高齢者や主婦が働いて「支える側」が厚くなれば、高齢化率の伸びほどには現役世代の負担は増えないだろう。

The theory that social security costs will surge at a rate of 1 trillion yen per year as Japanese society continues to age, widening intergenerational economic gaps, also calls for closer analysis.
　もう一つ、悲観論の根拠である「高齢化に伴って社会保障費が毎年１兆円ずつ増え、世代間格差が広がる」という説も考えてみよう。

During a time when it was common for three generations of families to live together, caring for elderly parents and children was considered the work of the wife, while the husband was expected to earn money for all household expenses.
　３世代同居が当たり前だった時代は、老いた両親の介護や子供の保育はもっぱら妻の役割とされ、その妻を含めた大家族全員の生活費を現役世代の夫が一人で支えていた。

As nuclear families and single-person households become the norm and the number of children drops, the burden of caring for elderly family members and bringing up children becomes relatively light.
ところが、核家族やひとり暮らしが当たり前になり、子供の数も減ってくると、親の介護や保育の負担は相対的に軽くなる。

If elderly parents are able to live on social security and personal savings, the financial burden on the working generation is alleviated.
老いた親も年金や預金で生活できるようになれば、現役世代の経済的負担は少なくなる。

Of course, there are many senior citizens who receive a low level of social security benefits or none at all, and there is no end to the number of people who leave their jobs to focus on caring for their aging parents.
　もちろん、無年金や低年金の高齢者は多く、親の介護のために離職する人も後を絶たないが、

However, compared to a time when neither social security nor nursing care insurance was available, the burden on working citizens has not become categorically worse.
年金も介護保険もなかったころに比べれば、今の現役世代の負担は一概に重くなったとは言えない。

Rather, inheritance per capita has risen, and people generally have more opportunities and funds to receive an education.
むしろ１人当たりの相続財産は以前より多く、教育を受ける機会や費用も増えている。

In other words, the impression people commonly have of the piggyback arrangement, and the actual generational gap in burdens are very different.
「肩車型」のイメージと世代間格差の実相はかなり違うと考えるべきだ。

Rising social security costs may pose great pressure on government finances, but if the increased costs are translated into better nursing care and childcare services, it could lighten the load on families in the working generation.
　国家財政レベルでは社会保障費の増加は圧迫要因かもしれないが、増加分が介護や保育サービスの充実に回れば、現役世代の家族内の負担は軽減されていく。

One of the intended functions of the social security system is to collect a larger proportion of taxes and insurance premiums from high-income workers, and redistribute it to those with lower incomes.
もともと社会保障は所得の多い人から税や保険料を多く集め、所得の少ない人に回す再分配の機能を持つ。

What’s important is not just whether the costs are expanding, but whether the funds are being redistributed effectively.
費用の膨張だけでなく、再分配が有効に機能しているかどうかが問題なのである。

There is a group, sometimes called the “platinum generation,” whose age makes them “senior citizens” but are actually a part of the population that give the piggyback rides.
プラチナ世代に注目　「支える側」で特に注目すべきなのは元気な高齢層だ。
年齢区分では「高齢者」とされるが、実は肩車の下側で支えている。

Among those who turned 65 this year are pro-baseball team Rakuten Eagles’ manager Senichi Hoshino and the comedian and film director Takeshi Kitano.
たとえば、今年６５歳になった人を見ると、プロ野球の星野仙一楽天監督、タレントで映画監督の北野武氏をはじめそうそうたる人物が各界で名を連ねる。

They’re full of life and are highly unlikely to go into retirement anytime soon.
そう簡単に隠居などしそうにない、ピカピカの現役である。

Readers must also know many people who are 65 or older who one wouldn’t think to describe as “elderly.”
「お年寄り」と呼ぶのもはばかられる６５歳以上はあなたの身近にも多いはずだ。

In a story on post-war Japanese medicine and insurance last year, the British medical journal The Lancet wrote about the “platinum generation” — called so because while its members technically fit into the “silver generation,” they are shiny and bright instead of dull like oxidized silver.
Japan must recognize not only that our people are living long lives, but also that our country has produced a large population of energetic seniors.
　年齢的にはシルバーだが、いぶし銀のような地味さはなく色あせずに輝き続けるという意味で「プラチナ世代」と呼ばれたりする。
戦後の日本の医療や保険の成果について昨年、英医学誌「ランセット」が特集したが、単に長寿だというだけでなく元気な高齢世代を大量に出現させた功績も見逃してはならない。

It is not rare to see former businessmen and researchers in the sciences finding success in areas such as social welfare and farming after retiring from their original jobs. 　ビジネスマンや理系研究者が定年後、福祉や農業などの分野に転身し成功している例は今や珍しくない。

We would like senior citizens to break bravely into uncharted fields, making use of the abundant knowledge and experience they’ve accumulated over the years.
未知の分野に果敢に飛び込み、長年培ってきた豊富な知識や経験を生かしてほしい。

It is at the intersection of various values that we can hope to find clues that will pave the way to a new era.
多様な価値観がぶつかり合うところに新しい時代を切り開くヒントが生まれるはずだ。

To fully harness the skills and talents of the platinum generation, medical and welfare systems must change.
　プラチナ世代が輝き続けるためには医療や福祉も変わらねばならない。

With old age, most people develop illnesses and disabilities.
高齢になれば誰だって病気や障害は持つものだ。

We must make a quick shift from our current acute medical model concentrating on curing patients, to a medical and nursing care model that allows people to continue working and living with purpose while living with chronic ailments.
「治す」ことを目的にした急性期医療モデルから、治らなくても生きがいを持って働き続けられるような慢性期の医療・介護モデルへの転換を急ぐべきだ。

Once the platinum generation comes to account for a much larger proportion of those who provide support to those who need it, our nation will look very different.
　大量のプラチナ世代が「支える側」に回ったとき、この国のかたちはずいぶん違って見えてくる。

Excessive pessimism is uncalled for.
過度の悲観は禁物だ。

Let us think about how we ourselves can continue to give piggybacks as long as possible.
どうやって「支える側」に居続けられるかを考えよう。

毎日新聞　2012年05月05日　02時30分