日駐華大使汽車被襲事件中國禁止報紙獨自報道

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

丹羽宇一郎・駐中国大使の車が襲撃された事件で、中国当局が国内各メディアに対し、事件に関しては当局の発表以外に独自報道はしないよう規制する通達を出していたことが３０日わかった。

　中国のメディア関係者によると、通達は２７日の襲撃事件発生直後に出された。中国各紙は３０日現在、事件の発生や経緯に関してほぼ沈黙を続けている。

　この関係者は、報道規制の狙いについて、〈１〉反日行動が激化しないようにする〈２〉事件自体を封じ込め、容疑者の処分を隠密に進める――の２点を挙げ、「事件の対応を誤れば中国国民の反日感情はさらにこじれ、反日デモが拡大しかねない。当局は事件の報道を減らすことで批判も封じ込めたい思惑だ」と話す。

　だが、インターネット上では、日本メディアによる襲撃事件報道の中国語訳が数多く掲載され、書き込みも殺到している。ポータルサイト「騰訊網」の調査では、回答者約５万３０００人のうち、今回の大使車襲撃を「良いこと」とする回答が８２％に達するなど、当局の報道規制があっても事件への関心や、犯人への支持も高まっている模様だ。

（2012年8月30日19時42分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

Regarding the incident in which Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa's car was attacked, it turned out on the 30th that a notification was sent out to all domestic media by the China authorities saying that the latter might not do their own reporting about the incident other than the authorities' announcement.

According to people related to the media, the notification was sent out immediately after the occurrence of this attacking incident on the 27th. Now on the 3oth, China papers were mostly continuing keeping silence about the occurrence and the circumstances related to the incident.

According to the related people, regarding the aim of the press restriction two points were mentioned <1>try to keep anti-Japanese action from intensifying  <2> to keep the incidents to itself, so that the handling of the suspect could be carried out in confidential. It was said that "if the response to the incident is handled incorrectly, the Chinese people's anti-Japan sentiment could be complicated further, and the anti-Japan demonstrations may expand. The authorities are expected to limit the criticism by reducing the reporting of an incident."

But in the Internet many Chinese translation of the news of the attack as reported in the Japanese media were published, and writing on it was also pouring in. In a research done by a portal site the "Tengxun Net", among about 53,000 respondents, the reply which regarded this attack on the ambassador’s vehicle as "a good thing" had reached 82% etc; even there was the authorities' press restriction, the concern expressed over this incident and the support given to the offender seemed to be increasing.

The party leaders in China probably know that nationalism is a double-edge sword, it can cut both ways.

日本駐中國大使用車在北京被中国人搶奪国旗

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following

中国の北京市内で、２７日夕方、中国駐在の丹羽大使が乗った公用車が中国人とみられる男の乗った車に停止させられ、車両に付けてあった日本の国旗が奪われました。
丹羽大使や同乗していた大使館の職員にけがはありませんでしたが、北京の日本大使館は中国政府に抗議するとともに、捜査するよう求めました。

北京の日本大使館によりますと、現地時間の午後４時すぎ（日本時間の午後５時すぎ）、中国駐在の丹羽宇一郎大使が乗った公用車が北京市内の環状道路を移動中に、少なくとも２台の車に停止させられました。
このうちの１台の車から降りてきた中国人とみられる男が、公用車に付けられていた日本の国旗を外し、奪ったということです。
丹羽大使の車には、日本大使館の経済担当の公使と大使館の職員、それに中国人の運転手の合わせて４人が乗っていましたが、いずれもけがはありませんでした。
日本大使館によりますと、丹羽大使は当時、ほかの日本大使館の車と共に移動していましたが、立体交差点の近くで２台の車が丹羽大使の車の前に止まって走行を妨げ、車の中から出てきた男が大使の車の前部に取り付けられた日本の国旗を奪ったということで、国旗を付けていたポールが曲がったということです。
丹羽大使の公用車には、ふだんから警備はついておらず、尖閣諸島を巡り、日中両国の対立が激しくなっている現在も特に警備はついていなかったということです。
今回の事態を受けて、日本大使館の堀之内秀久公使は、中国外務省に対し厳正に抗議するとともに再発の防止と今回の事件についての捜査を求めました。
これに対し中国外務省の羅照輝アジア局長は、「このような事件が発生したことは誠に遺憾である。中国政府としては、事件の再発防止に全力を尽くしたい。在留邦人、日本企業の安全も確保する。本件については法に基づき厳正に対処したい」と回答したということです。

(試譯文)

In Beijing in China on the evening of the 27th the official car which was carrying Ambassador Niwa was stopped by a car driven by a man believed to be Chinese, and the national flag of Japan attached to vehicle was taken away.

Although neither Ambassador Niwa nor the personnel of the embassy who were with him had received any injury, the Japanese Embassy in Beijing asked for an investigation while protested against the Chinese government.

According to the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, at slightly past 4.00 p.m. local time (Japan Standard Time slightly past 5:00 p.m.) the official car which carried Ambassador Uichiro Niwa while moving in a circular road in Beijing was stopped by at least two cars.

A man believed to be a Chinese got down from one of the cars to remove and take away the Japanese national flag which was attached to the embassy car.

Staying together with Ambassador Niwa in the car were staff of the embassy including the minister of the Japanese Embassy who was specializing in economy and the Chinese driver; all of them in total four people received no injury.

It was said that according to the Japanese Embassy, Ambassador Niwa was traveling with another car of the Japanese Embassy, two cars stopped in front of Ambassador Niwa's cars, and blocking them near the intersection point of two levels; a man came out of the car to take the Japanese national flag which was attached to the front part of the ambassador's car, and bent the pole to which the national flag was attached.

It was said that Ambassador Niwa's official car usually had made no defense measures, and no special defense was attached to it up to now when confrontation between both countries of China and Japan became intense because of the Senkaku Islands.

In response to this situation, the Hidehisa Horinouchi minister of the Japanese Embassy while protested solemnly to the China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked for a criminal investigation and the prevention of future occurrence of the incident.

It was said that in response to it, Luo Zhaohui as the head of the Asian Affairs Bureau of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said that "it is very regrettable that such an incident had occurred. The Chinese government would like to do its best to prevent the future occurrence of this incident. The safety of both Japanese residents abroad and Japanese companies would be ensured. This matter would be dealt with strictly according to the laws".

This matter is a headache for both governments; I hope it would not be escalated further.

福島縣出產新米放射性物質檢查及格

Recently the FNN on-line reported the following:

福島県で、収穫した新米の放射性物質検査を1袋ごとに行う「全袋検査」が、25日から始まった。

福島県内のトップを切って検査が行われたのは、早場米の「五百川」。
出荷したのは、二本松市のコメ農家・安斎孝行さん。安斎さんは「不安ですよ、当然。だんだん、心臓がバクバクしてきまして」と話した。

検査の基準は、1kgあたり80ベクレル(Bq)以下。検査の結果、安斎さんが出荷した14袋は、全て基準を下回った。安斎さんは「ほっとして、目が潤みます。本当にうれしい限りです」と話した。

これからコメの収穫が本格化する福島県内では、およそ35万トン、1,200万袋の検査が行われる。

(試譯文)

"Full bag inspection" which would conduct radioactive material inspection on the new rice in each individual bag harvested in Fukushima Prefecture had started on the 25th.

It was the "Ikagawa" early rice being the top in Fukushima that was cut to conduct the inspection. It was the rice farmer from Mr. Takayuki Anzai of Nihommatsu that was shipped out. Mr. Anzai said “it is uneasy, naturally. The heart was like jumping out”.

The standard of the inspection was below 80 Bq per kg (Bq). All of 14 bags which were shipped out by Mr. Anzai, they were within the standard as shown in the result of the inspection. Mr. Anzai said that “feels the relief and eyes are wet. It is a really delightful to the limitation."

In Fukushima rice harvest would become a regular event from now on; inspection on about 350,000 tons in 12 million bags would be conducted.

It is good news that the rice produced in Fukushima prefecture is safe for consumption.

東京神田「幻の駅」重新活化成消閒點

Last month the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:　

「幻の駅」と呼ばれている東京・神田の旧国鉄万世橋駅が商業施設として復活する。

　ＪＲ東日本が３日発表した再整備計画で明らかにしたもので、中央線の高架橋に今も残るホームに、カフェやデッキを整備する。来夏の開業を目指す。

　万世橋駅は、中央線の御茶ノ水―神田駅間にあり、明治末期の１９１２年に中央線の一大ターミナル駅として誕生した。駅舎は東京駅と同じ辰野金吾設計の赤レンガ舎。２３年の関東大震災で焼失、駅舎は再建されたが、乗降客数の減少で４３年に営業を終えた。

　その後、駅舎は解体されたが、今も赤レンガ造りの高架橋の上にはホームがあり、階段も当時のまま残されている。ホームの上にはカフェとデッキを作り、高架橋下にはテナントなどが入るという。同社は「当時の雰囲気を生かした憩いの場にしたい」としている。

（2012年7月3日21時25分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

The Mansei Bridge Station at Kanda of Tokyo currently being called "the phantom station" would be revived as a commercial establishment.

On the third (July) the JR East Japan announced their re-development plan to clarify that cafe and deck would be installed to the platform which still remained in the elevated bridge of Chuo Line. Commencement of business was aimed at the next summer.

The Mansei Bridge Station was in between the Ochanomizu and the Kanda Station of the Chuo Line; it was born as a major terminal station on the Chuo Line in 1912 which was in the late Meiji period. The station building was a red brick house with the same Kingo Tatsuno design as the Tokyo Station. Although it was burned down during the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, the station house was rebuilt; due to a decrease in the number of passenger the business was closed in 1943.

Then, while the station building was disassembled, the platform was still there on the redbrick elevated bridge; stairs were also left behind untouched since that time. Cafe and deck would be added to the platform and it was said that tenants etc. would move in under the elevated bridge. The same company said that "we would like to recreate the atmosphere of those days and to use the place for relaxation."

Probably this location will become popular among the locals when business starts.

日本女戰地記者在敘利亞採訪中殉職

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following:

シリア北部で取材していた日本人ジャーナリストの山本美香さんが銃撃に巻き込まれて死亡したことについて、報道の自由を擁護する民間団体「国境なき記者団」は、山本さんの死を悼むとともに、アサド政権と反政府勢力の双方にジャーナリストを攻撃しないよう強く求めました。

パリに本部がある「国境なき記者団」によりますと、去年、シリアで武力衝突が起きてから、取材に当たっていて死亡した外国人ジャーナリストは、山本さんを含め５人に上るということです。
「国境なき記者団」で中東地域を担当しているソアジック・ドレ氏はＮＨＫのインタビューに対し、山本さんはアフガニスタンやイラクでの取材で世界的に知られたジャーナリストだとしてその死を悼むとともに、今回の攻撃を非難しました。
そのうえで、「山本さんの死は、紛争地での取材経験が豊富なジャーナリストであっても、常に身を守れるわけではないことを示している。シリアの危険度は非常に高く、ジャーナリストにとって、今、世界で最も危険な場所だ」と述べました。
そして、シリアでは、ジャーナリストは政府軍だけでなく反政府勢力やイスラム過激派からも攻撃を受ける可能性があると指摘し、「アサド政権と反政府勢力の双方に対し、ジャーナリストを保護し、決して攻撃の対象にしないよう強く求める」と述べました。

(試譯文)

Regarding the Japanese journalist Ms. Mika Yamamoto who was reporting in northern Syria, she was caught between the shooting and got killed; the private organization the "Reporters Without Borders" which protected freedom of the press mourned the death of Mr. Yamamoto, it called on the two sides of the Assad Administration and anti-government forces not to attack journalists.

According to the "Reporters Without Borders" that had its headquarters in Paris, it was said that among the foreign journalists who were in charge of covering the armed clash broken out in Syria since last year, the number of death had gone up to five people including Ms. Yamamoto.

In an interview with the NHK Soajikku Dore of the "Reporters Without Borders" who was taking charge of the Middle East area blamed this attack; he mourned the death of Ms. Yamamoto, noting that she was a journalist known globally for her coverage in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Moreover, it was said that "Ms. Yamamoto's death shows that she cannot always be protected in an area of conflict, even for a journalist with abundant coverage experience. The danger in Syria is very high; it is the most dangerous place in the world now for a journalist."

In Syria, the journalist indicated that an attack might be received not only from the government troops but also from anti-government forces and a radical Islamic group; and it was said that "it is strongly requested that both sides of the Assad Administration and the anti-government forces must take care of the journalists and never made them the target of their offensive".

My respect goes to Ms. Yamaoto; she was such a brave lady. Woodrow Wilson had once said “Only free people can hold their purpose and their honor steady to a common end, and prefer the interest of mankind to any narrow interest of their own”.

中國城市新屋價格有開始回升趨勢

Recently the NHK news on-line reported the following:

中国では、７月に販売された新築住宅の価格が、主要な都市の３分の２以上で、前の月より上昇し、政府の金融緩和の影響で、住宅価格の上昇傾向が再び強まるのではないかという懸念も出ています。

中国の国家統計局は、毎月、全国の主要な７０の都市で販売された新築住宅の価格を調べており、１８日、７月の調査の結果を発表しました。
それによりますと、福建省の福州で、前の月に比べて０．７％上昇したのをはじめ、北京や四川省の成都で、いずれも０．３％上昇するなど、合わせて５０の都市で、新築住宅の価格が上昇しました。
上昇した都市は、６月の２５都市の２倍に増えています。
中国の新築住宅の価格は、ことし前半にかけて、多くの都市で低下する傾向が続いていましたが、６月からは上昇に転じる動きが目立ち始めています。
これは、中国政府が景気を下支えするため、金融緩和を進めていることから、住宅ローンの金利が下がって購入者が増えたほか、企業などによる投機的な購入も増加しているためとみられます。
中国では、長く続いていた住宅市場の過熱がこのところようやくおさまりかけていましたが、今回の結果を受けて住宅価格の上昇傾向が再び強まるのではないかという懸念も出ています。

(試譯文)

In China, in 2/3 of the main cities, the price of the new residential housing sold in July rose compared to the last month, and concerns had come out on whether this upward tendency of house prices would become strong again due to the governmental influence of money market relaxation.

Office for National Statistics of China was investigating the price of the new residential housing sold in the 70 main cities in the whole country, and on the 18^th it released the result of their investigation done in July.

According to it, the price of new residential housing rose in 50 cities: went up by 0.3% in Chengdu, in Beijing, and in Sichuan, and also including the going up by 0.7% in Fuzhou in Fujian compared to last month.

The number of cities which went up had increased; it was a double of the 25 cities recorded in June.

Although in many cities in China the price of the new residential housing showed a continuing falling tendency in the first half of this year, from June the movement changed to a rise and began to be noticeable.

Since the Chinese government was supporting the economy, and money market relaxation was in progress, the interest rates of the housing loan fell, buyers increased in number, and increasing speculative purchase by companies etc. was also seen

Although overheating of the housing market which was continuing for a long time had subsided at last in China recently, there was concern whether the upward tendency of house prices would become strong again this time in response to money market relaxation.

I am wondering whether it means that inflation in China would go up again.

日本公司向中國企業非法出口電腦程式

Recently the FNN on-line reported the following:

軍事技術への転用が可能なプログラムが組み込まれた半導体製造装置を中国企業などに不正輸出していたとして、神奈川県警は、東京・品川区の会社と取締役の男を書類送検した。
外国為替法違反などの疑いで書類送検されたのは、東京・品川区の電子機器販売会社「インターテック」と、53歳の取締役の男。
インターテックは、2010年8月から2011年6月にかけて、中国企業や研究所に輸出許可がないにもかかわらず、プログラムが組み込まれた半導体製造装置を不正に輸出した疑いが持たれている。
取締役の男は、「スムーズに輸出することに重きを置き、コンプライアンスを軽視してしまった」と、容疑を認めているという。

(試譯文)

A company in the metropolitan area in the Shinagawa district of Tokyo was prosecuted for illegally exporting semiconductor producing machines and equipments to Chinese companies etc.,

The Kanagawa Prefecture Police sent the police report to prosecute a male director of a company in the Shinagawa district of Tokyo for carrying out illegal exporting to Chinese companies etc. semiconductor producing machines and equipments which had program that could be diverted into military technology.

It was about the 53-year-old male director of the electronic device sales company "Intertec" in the Shinagawa district of Tokyo that a police report was sent to the prosecutor for suspicion of violating the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Control Law etc.

Although without exporting license, Intertec had exported to Chinese companies and research institutes from August, 2010 to June, 2011; this raised doubt of having exported unjustly the semiconductor producing machines and equipment that had the programs incorporated.

The male director admitted the suspicion and said that "for the purpose of smooth export, he has slighted the weight needed regarding compliance".

It seems that Japan is eager to safe guard its computer technology.

本田在美國和本土推出充電電動車

Recently the Yomiuri on-line reported the following:

　ホンダは２３日、８月下旬に日本で発売する電気自動車（ＥＶ）「フィットＥＶ」（５人乗り）の１回の充電で走れる距離が日本最高の２２５キロ・メートルになると発表した。

　これまでは日産自動車が販売する「リーフ」の２００キロ・メートルが国内最高だった。ただ、ホンダは「ＥＶの需要は不透明」として当面、個人向けには販売せず、企業や自治体向けのリース販売にとどめる。

　フィットＥＶのバッテリー容量は「リーフ」より小さい２０キロ・ワット時だが、減速時の充電効率を高めることで、１回の充電で走行できる距離を延ばした。

　米国では今月２０日から個人向けにリース販売しているが、日本では「まずは企業や自治体へのリース販売でＥＶの需要を見極めたい」（広報部）としている。

（2012年7月23日19時43分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

Honda announced on the 23rd (July) that their electric vehicle (EV "the Fit EV" (five-person riding)) which they would put on the market in Japan in late August could cover a distance of 225 km in one charge, the highest in Japan.

The "Leaf" which Nissan Motor sold until now was 200 km, the highest in the country. However because "the demand of EV is unclear" Honda would not sell it to the individuals but would limit it to lease-sale to companies or self-governing bodies for the time being.

The battery capacity of the Fit EV was smaller than the "Leaf" which was 20 kWh an hour; but for improved charging efficiency using slowdown time, the distance that could be run by one charge could be extended.

Although lease-sale was extended to the individuals from the 20th of this month (July) in the U.S., it (the public relations section) said that in Japan "first of all would like to discern the demand for EV through the lease-sale to companies or self-governing bodies".

It seems that Japan is taking the lead in the production and sales of electric cars.

日本招商会邀請海外企業投資地震災區

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

東日本大震災の被災地の復興につなげようと、海外からの投資を呼び込むための説明会が、９日、香港で開かれ、復興庁の担当者が、進出企業に税制上の優遇措置を認める「復興特区」の仕組みなどを説明し、積極的な投資を呼びかけました。

この説明会は、ジェトロ＝日本貿易振興機構などが開いたもので、香港中心部の会場に、地元の企業関係者などおよそ６０人が集まりました。
この中で、復興庁の担当者は、東日本大震災の被災地では、道路などのインフラがほぼ復旧しているほか、大手自動車メーカーなど多くの製造業の工場もあって投資環境は整っているとアピールしました。
また、進出企業に対して、法人税を５年間免除するなどの優遇措置を認める「復興特区」の仕組みを説明し、積極的な投資を呼びかけました。
これに対し、参加した企業関係者からは「日本の東北地方の復興につながる投資には興味がある」とか、「もっと詳しく説明してほしい」などの声が聞かれました。
日本政府は、被災地の復興に向けて、国内だけでなく海外からも広く投資を呼び込む方針で、９日の香港を手始めとして、今後、同様の説明会を中国本土や欧米などでも開くことにしています。

(試譯文)

Centering around the revival the stricken area caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake a briefing session that called upon overseas investment was held in Hong Kong on the 9th (July); the person in charge of the revival bureau appealed for active investment and explained the structure etc. of the "special revival area" which permitted participating companies tax benefits.

This briefing session was an event organized by JETRO the Japanese trade recovery organization etc, with about 60 people who were connected to local corporations etc, gathering in the hall located at the central part of Hong Kong.

The people in charge of the revival bureau appealed that in the stricken area of the Great East Japan earthquake investment environment was ready because infrastructures such as roads were mostly restored, and there were also factories of many manufacturing industries, such as major automakers.

Moreover, while the structure of the "special revival area" which permitted preferential treatment of corporation tax exemption for five years was explained to companies that came forward, it called for active investments.

On the other hand, from the corporation related people who were participating, voices were heard saying that "interested in investments which lead to the revival of the northeast district in Japan", and "want you to explain in more detail".

For the revival of the stricken area, Japanese government would not merely do it domestically, it planned on calling for investment widely from overseas by making Hong Kong on the 9th as the beginning; from now on it would hold similar briefing sessions in mainland China and in the West.

Japan is trying hard to revive the economy in the north east part of the country.

日本谷歌贏網上私隱官司

Recently the Yomiuri News reported the following:

インターネットで街並みの画像を閲覧できる検索大手「グーグル」のサービス「ストリートビュー」（ＳＶ）に、ベランダに干した下着の画像が公開され、プライバシーを侵害されたとして、福岡県内の２０歳代の女性が、同社日本法人（東京都）に６０万円の損害賠償を求めた訴訟の控訴審判決が１３日、福岡高裁であった。

　木村元昭裁判長は「画像ではベランダにある物が何か判然とせず、プライバシー侵害があったとは認められない」と述べ、原告敗訴の１審・福岡地裁判決を支持し、女性の控訴を棄却した。

　判決は、画像について「下着を干していることまではわからず、表札や看板など個人名などがわかるものも映っていない」と指摘。そのうえで「ベランダに焦点を当てて撮影、公開しておらず、私生活の平穏が侵害されたとは認められない」と結論付けた。

　女性の弁護団によると、ＳＶの画像を巡る全国初の損害賠償請求訴訟。ＳＶは２００８年８月に日本で導入された後、プライバシー侵害との批判も出ていた。

（2012年7月13日18時30分 読売新聞）

(試譯文)

Regarding a picture which showed that some underwear were being dried in the veranda had been made public in the "Street View" (SV) service of the major search company "Google" which could browse the picture of rows of houses on the Internet, a woman in her twenties living in Fukuoka asked this company's affiliate in Japan (Tokyo) for 600,000 yen reparations for infringement of privacy; an appeal court judgment on this lawsuit was made by the Fukuoka High Court on the 13^th (July).

Presiding Judge Motoaki Kimura said that "In the picture, the thing on a veranda is something not in focus, and as such they could not accepted that an invasion of privacy had occurred"; he supported the first hearing’ judgment at the Fukuoka District Court that the plaintiff had lost the case and rejected the woman’s appeal.

The court's judgment indicated that about the picture, "Nothing more could be understood beyond that it is drying some underwear; things that could show personal names, such as a doorplate and a signboard etc. were not shown." Also, it was concluded that "even if the photo is taking a focus on the veranda; and if it is not open to the public, it could not be admitted that it has infringed the peaceful enjoyment of private life".

According to the woman’s defense counsel, this was the first damage case in the whole country that involved the pictures of SV. After SV was introduced in August 2008 in Japan, criticism about invasion of privacy had started to come out.

I think the court decision is logical and sensible. It has maintained a right balance between an individual’s privacy right and Google’s right to disseminate information in the Internet.

神奈川藤沢市沿岸建12.5 公尺高海嘯避難塔

Last month the FNN on-line reported the following

神奈川・藤沢市に、沿岸の住民や海水浴客を津波から守るための津波避難タワーが完成した。
1日に披露された津波避難タワーは、総工費およそ3,500万円をかけて、神奈川県が設置したもの。
タワーは、やぐら形式の鉄骨造りで、ステージは標高12.5メートル、およそ100人が避難できるスペースとなっている。
また、震度5弱以上の地震が発生した際には、ランプが光り、海水浴客らに危険を知らせる。
訪れた人は「いざというときに、子どもと一緒に急いで逃げられるかなと思いました。安心ですね」と話した。
神奈川県によると、日中は展望台として開放され、湘南の景色を楽しむことができるという。
県は、沿岸地区のモデルとして、タワーの設置促進を図りたいとしている。

(試譯文)

A tsunami refuge tower for protecting both coastal residents and sea bathers from tsunami at Fujisawa city, Kanagawa was completed.

The tsunami refuge tower announced on the 1^st (July) had a the total cost of production of about 35 million yen, and was installed by the Kanagawa Prefecture

The tower had a steel frame in the form of an observation tower, and the stage had an altitude of 12.5 meters; it had a space that could cater for about 100 people to take refuge.

Moreover, when an earthquake that had an intensity starting from lower 5 on the Japanese intensity scale occurred, a lamp would be turned on to tell sea bathers about the danger. A person who had visited it said "I think in case of emergency, I can escape in a hurry together with my child. It would be safe".

According to the Kanagawa Prefecture it was opened as an observatory platform in the daytime, and it was said that the scene of Shonan could be enjoyed. The prefecture supposed it would be a model for coastal districts and would like to aim at promoting the installation of the towers.

I hope the tower could reduce casualty when a tsunami hits.

越南舉辦石油業招商会優先招待日本

Recently the NHK News on-line reported the following:

経済成長が続くベトナムで、製油所や発電所などの新規事業を日本企業に紹介して参入を促す説明会が行われ、エネルギー分野での日本からの投資や技術協力にベトナム側から大きな期待が示されました。

この説明会は、ベトナムの国営石油ガス公社、ペトロベトナムがＪＥＴＲＯ＝日本貿易振興機構と協力し、他国に先駆けて日本企業を対象に３日、首都ハノイで開いたもので、建設会社や金融機関など１００社以上が参加しました。
説明会では、ペトロベトナムから、製油所などの石油関連事業や、火力や風力発電所をはじめとする発電事業など２３件、合わせて２兆円規模のプロジェクトが紹介され、参入を検討する日本企業からは、ベトナム政府からの支援や事業の将来性などについて質問が相次ぎました。
ペトロベトナムは、日本企業に限定した説明会を開いた理由について、「日本企業の実績と技術力を高く評価しており、大きな期待を寄せている」と述べ、エネルギー分野での日本からの投資や技術協力に期待を示しました。
ＪＥＴＲＯハノイ事務所の山岡寛和所長は、「日本はベトナムで、ＯＤＡ＝政府開発援助も民間投資も、最大の支援をしている。官民の投資が両輪となって、ベトナムの経済成長を支えているといえ、優先的に投資機会が与えられる動きにつながっている」と話しています。

(試譯文)

A briefing session was held to introduce new business to Japanese companies such as the oil refinery and the electricity generating plants and to urge their entry into Vietnam where economic growth was continuing; great expectation was shown from the side of Vietnam in the investment and technical cooperation from Japan in the field of energy.

The briefing session was held by the national petroleum gas public corporation in Vietnam, the PetroVietnam in cooperation with the JETRO the Japanese business recovering organization; it was opened to Japanese companies on the 3rd prior to other foreign countries in the capital Hanoi with 100 or more companies participating, such as construction firms and financial institutions.

At the briefing session, 23 project items which were oil business related were introduced by PetroVietnam, such as the oil refinery, fire power, and power generation enterprises including wind plants. The projects had a scale of 2 trillion-yen; succeeding questions one after another concerning the support from the Vietnam government and the future of the enterprise etc. were raised by the Japanese companies which were considering entry

PetroVietnam described the reasons for having held the briefing session limited to Japanese companies as "Japanese companies have the track record and technical capabilities and are evaluated highly for that, a great hope is put on them", and was showing expectation towards the investment and technical cooperation from Japan in the energy field.

Director Hirokazu Yamaoka of the JETRO Hanoi office said that "in Japan the ODA: Official Development Assistance and private investments are offering the greatest support to Vietnam. Investment of the government and the people became two wheels, and we could say that they support the economic growth of Vietnam, and have led to a motion which gives them preference in investment opportunities".

Against the background of growing tension between Vietnam and China over the South China Sea petroleum exploration, the close business ties between Japan and Vietnam could have special political meanings.

美國在沖縄縣部署垂直升降運輸機

Recently the FNN on-line reported the following:

沖縄県のアメリカ軍普天間基地に配備予定の垂直離着陸輸送機「オスプレイ」をめぐり、アメリカ軍基地のある14都道県の知事会が27日、森本防衛相に対して、事故原因の究明や地元への説明などを求める申し入れを行った。

会長を務める神奈川県の黒岩知事は、オスプレイが安全性の確認がされないまま山口県の岩国基地へ一時的に陸揚げされたことを非難したうえで、事故原因の究明や、再発防止策の提示、地元への説明などを求めた。
これに対し、森本防衛相は、26日から始まった日米合同委員会でのオスプレイの運用に関する協議などについて説明した。
このあと森本防衛相は、在日アメリカ軍司令官に就任したアンジェレラ氏と会談し、この中でオスプレイに言及し、「日米間でスムーズに、かつ日本国民の安心を確保できるように受け入れられるかという問題に直面している」と述べた。
アンジェレラ司令官は、情報提供や視察などでの協力を約束し、「訓練や運用における安全性を確認いただきたい」と述べた。

(試譯文)
On the 27th (July) the meeting of governors from 14 prefecture and county administrative regions that had offered U.S. Forces base asked the Defense Minister Morimoto to investigate the cause of the accident and to explain it to the local etc. involving the vertical-take-off-and-landing transport plane "Osprey" which was due to be deployed in Futenma U.S. Air Forces Station in Okinawa Prefecture.

Governor Kuroiwa of the Kanagawa Prefecture who served as the chairman blamed their temporary landing at Iwakuni Air Base in the Yamaguchi prefecture without safety checks being carried out. Afterwards he requested an investigation of the Osprey, and asked for the cause of the accident and a presentation on measures to prevent the recurrence etc, and giving an explanation to the local.

In that respect, starting from the 26th Defense Minister Morimoto at a Japan-U.S. Joint Committee explained the agreements etc. over the employment of the Osprey

After this Defense Minister Morimoto conferred with Mr. Angelella who had inaugurated as the U.S. Forces commander in Japan, the Osprey was mentioned. It was said that " to be accepted smoothly among Japan and the U.S., he is facing the problem of whether that Japanese confidence can be secured."

Commander Angelella promised cooperation in information dissemination and inspection etc., and he said that "I would like to confirm its safety in training or employment."

The “Osprey” is a US transport plane that can perform vertical take-off and landing. Its deployment at Okinawa would boost the transportation capacity of Japanese troops.