日本民意對「１８歳有選挙権」有分歧

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

「１８歳選挙権」賛否が拮抗…読売世論調査

2014年07月04日 22時29分

 　読売新聞社は６月２８～２９日、全国世論調査（面接方式）を実施した。

　国政選挙などで投票できる年齢を、現在の２０歳から１８歳に引き下げることに「賛成」と答えた人は４８％で、「反対」の４５％と拮抗(きっこう)した。６月成立の改正国民投票法の付則には、選挙権年齢の１８歳への引き下げを検討する方針が明記されたが、国民の意見は割れている。

　賛成と答えた人に、理由を二つまで挙げてもらったところ、「引き下げによって社会の一員としての自覚を促せる」５４％が最も多く、「少子高齢化の中でより多くの若者の意見を政治に反映できる」４８％、「十分な判断力がある」２９％、「すでに働いている人がいる」２７％、「多くの国で１８歳から投票できる」１１％が続いた。

　反対する人の理由（二つまで）は、トップが「まだ十分な判断力がない」７２％で、「引き下げても投票に行く若者が増えるとは思えない」４３％、「働いている人は少ない」２２％、「民法が定める成人年齢が２０歳のまま、引き下げるべきでない」１９％、「２０歳からの投票が定着している」１２％の順だった。

　改正国民投票法の成立で、憲法改正の国民投票の投票年齢が４年後に１８歳に引き下げられることについても、「評価する」４８％、「評価しない」４４％と意見が分かれた。

　民法が定める成人年齢の１８歳への引き下げについては、「反対」５９％が「賛成」３５％を大きく上回った。２００８年４月調査の反対５９％、賛成３６％とほとんど変化はなく、国民に慎重論が根強いことを示している。

(試譯文)

     The Yomiuri Shimbun carried out a national opinion poll (by interview) on June 28 - 29th.

     The people who answered "support" in lowering of the age to 18-year-old from the present 20-year-old for those who could vote in the national election etc. was 48%, against the 45% "oppose". Although the additional rule under the amended national referendum law enacted in June had specified a plan to examine the lowering of suffrage age to 18 years old, people's opinions were divided.

     In mentioning two reasons, among the people who answered they agreed, in majority 54% said that "the lowing can promote the consciousness as social a member", 48% mentioned "more young men's opinion can be reflected in politics amid low birthrate and longevity", 29% said "they had sufficient judgment", 27% "they were already at work", and 11% said "18 years old can vote in many countries" and so on.

     The reasons (up to two) for those who opposed to it, starting from the top were: 72% "still without sufficient judgment", 43% "even if lowered, the number of young men who would go to cast votes will not increase", 22% "not many of them are working", 19% "should not be reduced because the adulthood age as defined by the Civil Code is 20 years old", and 12% "it is established that voting starts from 20 years old", following the order.

     Regarding the enactment to revise the national referendum law that, within four years, to lower voting age to 18 years old for national referendum in amending the constitution, 48% "to evaluate", 44% "no comments". The opinions were divided.

     About the lowering to 18 years old as the adulthood age to be defined in the Civil Code, 59% "oppose", exceeding the 35% "support" by far. Comparing to an investigation in April 2008 with 59% opposes and 36% in support, there were no obvious changes, showing that people’s cautious view was deep-seated.

This national opinion poll shows that in voting, the opinion of the Japanese is conservative.

住民税每年增加１０００円作復興支援用

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

住民税 年間１０００円増税し復興財源に

6月1日 6時43分

東日本大震災の復興財源を確保するため、すでに実施されている所得税の臨時増税に加えて、今月からは住民税が納税者１人当たり年間で１０００円増税されます。

政府は東日本大震災からの復旧・復興事業を進めるため平成２３年度から５年間でおよそ２５兆円を集中的に投入することにしていて必要な財源は税外収入や復興増税などで確保することにしています。
これを受けて個人の所得税は去年１月から２５年間、税額の２．１％分加算される臨時増税が実施されていますが、これに加えて住民税も今月から納税者１人当たり年間で１０００円増税されます。
住民税の臨時増税の期間は１０年間で、およそ６０００億円の増収が見込まれていて、被災地の復旧・復興のほか、全国各地で行われる学校の耐震化や津波対策など緊急性の高い防災事業に使われることになっています。

(試譯文)

In order to secure the revenue source for recovering from the Great East Japan Earthquake, in addition to the extraordinary income tax increase already carried out, from this month the yearly resident tax would be increased by 1,000 yen for taxpayers.

In order to push forward the project for the revival from the Great East Japan Earthquake, about 25 trillion yen would be collected and invested starting from Heisei 23 fiscal year for five years. The government had to secure revenue source by non-tax revenues and increasing revival tax etc.

In response, starting from January last year for 25 years, for individual income tax a temporary tax increase of additional 2.1% worth of tax was implemented. On top of that, the resident tax also had a yearly increase of 1,000 yen per taxpayer starting from this month (June).

In ten years, with the extraordinary increase in resident tax, an additional about 600 billion yen in revenue was expected. Besides for the restoration and revival of the stricken area, the revenue would be used in disaster prevention projects that had high urgency such as earthquake-proofing in schools, and performed measures against the tsunami etc. all over the country.

     It seems that the tax burden on the Japanese is very heavy.  

日本:「消費税率必須達到１５％」

A few weeks ago the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

「消費税率、最低でも１５％に」…ＩＭＦが声明

2014年05月31日 09時21分

　国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）は３０日、２０１４年の対日審査後の声明を発表した。

　４月の消費税率引き上げの影響については「うまく乗り切りつつある」とし、アベノミクスの効果を評価した。一方で、景気回復が続くかどうかは「中期的なリスクは依然大きい」と指摘し、規制緩和や財政再建の推進を促した。消費税率については「最低でも１５％まで段階的に引き上げる」ことを求めた。

　具体的な改革としては、エネルギーや農業分野での規制緩和のほか、女性や高齢者の雇用拡大などを挙げた。

　財政については、消費税率の１０％への引き上げを、法律に従って１５年１０月に実行することを促した。企業が実際に納める法人実効税率の引き下げについては、「投資や成長を高める」としながらも、「減税による減収を穴埋めするほどの増収はもたらさない」と明記し、税収減を補う財源の確保を求めた。一方、１ドル＝１００円台前半で推移している最近の円相場については、「おおむねバランスが取れている」と容認した。

(試譯文)

    On 30th (May) the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a statement after performing an examination on Japan in 2014.

   About the impact of a raise in consumption tax rate in April, it assumed that "it has overcome and is doing well" when evaluating the effect of the Abenomics. On the other hand, whether the economic recovery was continuing, it indicated that "a mid-term risk is still high", and urged both the relaxation of regulations and the promotion of fiscal reconstruction. About the consumption tax rate it asked for "a gradual pulling up to at least 15%".

    Regarding concrete reforms, besides deregulation in energy and in the agricultural field, expansion of the employment for women and the elderly etc. was mentioned.

    On finance, it urged for implementing a rise to 10% for consumption tax rates in October 2015 in accordance with the law. About the reduction in the effective corporate tax rate which companies were actually paying, it wrote clearly that while looking for "an increase in investment and growth", "not to bring about a tax increase to an extent that is more than filling up the decrease in income due to tax cuts", and asked that in order to compensate for a drop in tax revenue, revenue source must be safe-guarded. On the other hand, about the exchange rate of $1=100 yen, the fact that recently the yen was moving towards the first half of the exchange was accepted as "maintaining a balance in general".

It seems that Japan’s economy is in good shape.

俄國対中国輸出天然氣可能影響日本能源戦略佈署

A few weeks ago the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

中国が主導権握れば日本エネルギー戦略に影響も

2014年05月22日 10時10分

　【上海＝田村雄】ロシアのプーチン大統領は２１日、天然ガスの対中国輸出の契約締結にこぎ着けたことで、ウクライナ情勢を巡る米欧の経済制裁によるロシア経済の先行き不安を低減した。

　一方、今回の合意は、エネルギー分野での日露協力にも影響が出る可能性がある。

　プーチン大統領は２１日、ロシアの国営ガス企業ガスプロムと中国石油天然ガス（ＣＮＰＣ）の契約締結に習近平(シージンピン)国家主席と立ち会った後、「ソ連とロシアの時代を通してガス分野で最も大きい（契約だ）」と意義を強調した。

　ロシアの天然ガス輸出の約７割は欧州向けだが、欧州連合（ＥＵ）は、ロシア産ガスの輸入を削減する方針だ。ウクライナ情勢の緊迫化による欧米との関係悪化は、ロシア経済に影を落としていた。

　中国向けのガス輸出価格交渉は２０日の中露首脳会談までに決着できなかったが、プーチン大統領が、ガス価格引き下げにつながる税制優遇を決断するなどロシア側が譲歩を示し、２１日早朝に妥結した。

　日本は、中露の交渉難航を追い風にロシアとの関係強化を進め、ウラジオストクの液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）事業や東シベリア、サハリンの資源開発事業を進めてきた。

　今回の合意で、東シベリア開発などの主導権が中国に握られれば、日本のエネルギー戦略にも影響が出そうだ。

(試譯文)

On the 21^st (May) Russian President Putin in concluding a contract to export natural gas to China, had reduced the uncertainty over the future of the Russia economy caused by the economic sanctions of the U.S. and Europe over the situation in Ukraine.

On the other hand, Japan-Russia cooperation in the energy field might also be affected by this agreement.

On the 21st President Putin after witnessing with PRC President Xi Jinping the conclusion of a contract between Russia national gas company Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), emphasized its meaning: "it (the contract) is the biggest in term of gas throughout the time of the Soviet Union and Russia".

Although about 70 percent of Russia’s natural gas export was to Europe, European Union (EU) was planning to reduce the import of the gas from Russia. Aggravated relationship with Europe and the U.S. due to tensions over the situation in Ukraine had cast a shadow on the Russia’s economy.

Although price negotiation on gas exported to China could not be settled by the China-Russia summit meeting on the 20th, on the Russia side, President Putin showed concession and decided on tax incentives leading to a gas price cut, and came to an agreement in the early morning of the 21st.

All along following the wind of Sino-Russia negotiation difficulties, Japan had gained progress in strengthening its ties with Russia, and had made advancement in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) enterprise of Vladivostok, and also the resources development enterprise in east Siberia and Sakhalin.

By this agreement, if China had the leadership in east Siberia development etc., Japan’s energy strategy would likely be affected.

It is interesting to note that a crisis in Ukraine could affect the economic development in East Asia that would have political implications for Japan.

中国成功開発頁岩氣產業

A few weeks ago the Asahi News on-line reported the following:

中国「シェールガスの商業開発に成功」　国営ラジオ

北京＝斎藤徳彦

2014年5月20日09時19分

　中国国営中央人民ラジオは１９日、重慶市で中国初となるシェールガスの商業開発に成功した、と伝えた。天然ガスの需要がうなぎ登りの中国は、シェールガスの埋蔵量も世界最大とされる。生産が軌道に乗れば、国際的なエネルギー需給を大きく変える可能性がある。

　人民ラジオによると、商業化を目指して掘削を進めていた重慶市内のシェールガス田が大規模な生産に成功。国営石油会社の責任者の「中国ではまだ技術が足りずに早すぎると思われていたが、大量生産にまでこぎ着けた」との談話も紹介された。日産量は２７０万立方メートルで、重慶市の５００万世帯の需要を満たせるとしている。

　シェールガスは地下深くにある頁岩（けつがん＝シェール）層に含まれる天然ガス。低コストで採掘できる技術が確立した北米で生産が本格化している。中国政府も開発に力を入れている。２０１５年には年間６５億立方メートルを生産して年間需要の約３％を賄うことを目標にする。今回の報道が事実なら、目標のおよそ６分の１を達成したことになる。

　中国ではこれまで主要なエネルギー源だった石炭が、深刻な大気汚染の原因になっていることから、天然ガスへの置き換えを進めている。天然ガス需要は大きな伸びが見込まれており、輸入と国産の両面での供給を増やすことが急務となっていた。（北京＝斎藤徳彦）

(試譯文)

In Chongqing on the 19^th (May) the Chinese National Central People’s Radio said that for the first time commercial development of shale gas was successful in China. In China while the demand for natural gas was skyrocketing, its shale gas deposit was the largest in the world. If production could get off the ground, international energy supply and demand may change a lot.

According to the People’s Radio, in Chongqing where digging aiming at commercialization was advancing, large-scale production from the shale gas field was successful. The person in charge of the State’s oil marketing organization introduced it by saying that “although it seemed that it is too early for China due to lacking in technology, yet it manages to reach mass production". With the daily capacity set at 2,700,000 cubic meters, it was supposed that the demand of 5 million households in Chongqing could be fulfilled.

Shale gas was a natural gas contained in the shale layer deep underground. The technology to produce it at a low cost had been established in the North America and production was in full swing. The Chinese government was also putting a lot of effort into its development. In 2015 it aimed at producing 6,500 million cubic meters, providing for about 3% of the annual demand. If this report was true, it meant that about 1/6 of the target was attained.

In China, as coal was the main energy source until now it was causing serious air pollution, to replace it with natural gas was progressing. As natural gas demand was expected to increase, there was a pressing need for a big increase in both domestic supply and in importing.

It is good news that China can produce shale gas to replace coal which is causing serious air pollution.

文部科学省定下宇宙計画目標: 探索火星

A few weeks ago the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

火星有人探査、日本も目標に…文科省が検討案

2014年05月31日 08時57分

　文部科学省は、将来の宇宙計画の一つに、国際協力による火星への有人探査を目標に掲げる案をまとめた。

　国際宇宙ステーション（ＩＳＳ）運用後の国際宇宙探査などを検討する同省の有識者会議に、３０日示した。

　同省によると、火星への有人探査を、国が目標として明示するのは初めて。７月にも決定し、政府の宇宙政策委員会に報告する。

　同省の案では、有人火星探査に必要な巨額な費用や技術開発は各国で分担した上で、月での無人探査や有人長期滞在などを段階的に計画を進めるとした。

　宇宙での有人長期滞在の技術を開発するために、ＩＳＳで培った技術や経験を最大限に活用することが効率的だと指摘。有人火星探査を行う意義については、日本の科学技術力の向上に加え、産業競争力の強化にもつながるという。

(試譯文)

    The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology put forward a proposal that one of its future space plans was to have a manned expedition to Mars with international cooperation.

    It was shown in an expert meeting held on the 30th (May) by the said Ministry which considered about international space reconnaissance flights after the International Space Station (ISS) became operational etc.

    According to the said Ministry, this was the first time for the country to specify a manned expedition to Mars as a target. After making a decision in July it would report to the Governmental Space Policy Committee.

    In a proposal of the said Ministry, on top of the sharing the large amount of expense and technical development required for the manned Mars exploration, it supposed to gradually proceed with a plan on the moon: unmanned probing, then a manned long term stay etc.

    In order to develop the technology for the manned long term stay in the universe, there were indications that it would be efficient to utilize to the utmost the experience and technology cultivated by ISS. As for the meaning to perform the manned Mars exploration, in addition to improving the technology power of Japan, it was said that it would also lead to the strengthening of industrial competitiveness.

I think simultaneously to proceed with a plan to probe the moon and to have a manned expedition to Mars would cost Japan a lot of money.

山手線將新設置第３０個車站

A few weeks ago the NHK News on-line reported the following:

山手線で３０番目の新駅設置へ

5月31日 4時43分

ＪＲ東日本は、山手線ではおよそ半世紀ぶりとなる新しい駅を品川駅と田町駅の間に設置する方針を固めました。
東京オリンピックが開催される２０２０年までの開業を目指していて、周辺では大規模な再開発も進められる予定です。

ＪＲ東日本が山手線の新しい駅を設置する方針を固めたのは品川駅と田町駅の間で、現在は車両基地がある敷地です。
この場所では、来年春に「上野東京ライン」として東海道線と東北線などが直通運転を始めるのに伴い、車両基地を縮小して移動する工事が進められていて、新しい駅は山手線や京浜東北線の線路を移動したあと設けられる見込みです。新駅開業の具体的な時期は固まっていませんが、ＪＲ東日本では、東京オリンピックが開催される２０２０年・平成３２年までの開業を目指しています。
山手線で新しい駅ができるのは、西日暮里駅が開業した昭和４６年以来およそ半世紀ぶりとなり、３０番目の駅になります。
現在の品川・田町間は駅の間の距離が２．２キロと山手線では最も長いことや、ここ数年、高層マンションが相次いで建設されたこともあって新駅設置への期待が高まっていました。
また、車両基地の跡地では大規模な再開発も進められる予定です。ＪＲ東日本はこうした方針を近く正式に発表することにしています。

(試譯文)

The JR East Japan had made a policy to build a new station, the first time in about half a century, between Shinagawa Station and Tamachi Station along the Yamanote Line.

It aimed at commencing the business by 2020 when the Tokyo Olympic Games would be held; a large-scale redevelopment would also be extended to the outskirts.

The site where JR East Japan made the policy to make a new station was at the Yamanote Line between Shinagawa Station and Tamachi Station and now it was a rail yard site.

At this site, there would be construction to reduce the rail yard and relocate it in the spring of next year to accompany the operational commencement of the direct line linkage of the Tokaido Line and Tohoku Line etc., the so called "Ueno East Capital Line". About the new station, it was expected to be provided after the rail relocation of the Keihin Tohoku and Yamanote Line. Although a concrete time for the business commencement of the new station had not been decided, JR East Japan was aiming at starting business by 2020 - Heisei 32^nd year when the Tokyo Olympic Games would be held.

It would be the first time in about half a century that a new station was added to the Yamanote Line to become the 30th station since Showa 46 when the Nishinippori Station was opened.

At present it was 2.2 km between Shinagawa and Tamachi, and was the longest distance in the Yamanote Line between stations. In the past several years high rise apartments were built one after another, the expectation for building a new station was growing.

Moreover it was decided that at the former site of the rail yard large-scale redevelopment would progress further. JR East Japan would formally announce such a plan soon.

For the 2020 Olympics, Japan will continue with more infra-structure improvements.

日本四月消費者物価指数上昇３．２％

A few weeks ago the NHK News on-line reported the following:

消費者物価指数 ３．２％上昇

5月30日 9時33分

消費税率が引き上げられた先月の全国の消費者物価指数は、増税の影響で税込み価格が上昇したことから、生鮮食品を除いた指数が前の年の同じ月を３．２％上回り、上昇率は平成３年２月以来およそ２３年ぶりの高い水準となりました。

総務省の発表によりますと、物やサービスの値動きを示す先月の全国の消費者物価指数は、天候による変動の大きい生鮮食品を除いた平成２２年を１００とした指数で、１０３．０となり、前の年の同じ月を３．２％上回って１１か月連続の上昇となりました。
これは、先月１日に消費税率が５％から８％に引き上げられた結果、税込み価格が上昇したことなどによるもので、上昇率は、平成３年２月以来、２３年２か月ぶりの高い水準となりました。
日銀によりますと、今回の増税だけで先月の全国の消費者物価指数が１．７％程度押し上げられると試算していることから、これを当てはめた場合、増税分を除く先月の物価の上昇率は、１．５％程度と見られます。
一方、今月の東京都区部の消費者物価指数の速報値は、生鮮食品を除いた指数が前の年の同じ月を２．８％上回って、１３か月連続の上昇となりました。

(試譯文)

With a tax increase last month (April), the consumer price index for the whole country was under its influence, tax-included price was pulled up. The same index excluding the perishable food had increase 3.2% compared with the same month the previous year, it was a height for the first time in about 23 years since February Heisei 3^rd year.

According to the announcement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications the consumer price index for the whole country - an index set at 100 in Heisei 22^nd year to show price movements of services and commodities excluding large perishable food that may change due to the weather, last month was 103.0, exceeding the same month of the previous year by 3.2% and becoming a continuous rise for 11 months.

This was a result of the consumption tax rate increase from 5% to 8% on the 1st of the last month. Because the tax-included price rose, the rate of increase reached a new high for the first time in 23 years and two months since February of Heisei 3^rd year.

According to a trial calculation made by the Bank of Japan the consumer price index for the whole country last month was pushed up by about 1.7% partly because of the tax increase. Applying this, the rate of the price increase except for the part due to the tax last month would be at about 1.5%.

On the other hand, the preliminary figures of the consumer price index in the Tokyo district this month, except for the perishable food, had exceeded the same month of the previous year by 2.8%, being a continuous rise for 13 months.

An inflation of around 3% is lower than many places in Southeast Asia such as China and Hong Kong. 

美軍大型無人偵察機亮相

A few weeks ago the FNN News on-line reported the following

米軍の大型無人偵察機「グローバルホーク」、報道陣に公開

05/31 01:23

無人偵察機「グローバルホーク」が報道陣に公開された。
公開されたのは、中国や北朝鮮などを監視するため、青森県の三沢基地に一時配備されたアメリカ軍の大型無人偵察機「グローバルホーク」。
赤外線カメラや高解像度のレーダーを持ち、高高度から200km先まで、昼夜を問わず監視が可能だとされており、在日アメリカ軍のアンジェレラ司令官は、「日本と周辺の安全に寄与する」と強調した。
三沢基地への配備は、10月までの予定となっている。

(試譯文)

The unmanned reconnaissance plane "Global Hawk" was opened to reporters.

Opened to the public was a large-sized unmanned reconnaissance plane "Global Hawk" of the U.S. Forces temporarily deployed at the Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture in order to monitor China and North Korea etc.

It had an infrared camera and a high resolution radar, it could carry out monitoring from high altitude at a location up to 200-km all day and night. Commander Angelella of the U.S. Forces in Japan emphasized that "it contributes to the safety of Japan and the surrounding region".

The deployment to Misawa Air Base was scheduled up to October.

The "Global Hawk" must be a high technological invention.

中国:２５年後找回被誘拐女兒

A few weeks ago the NHK News on-line reported the following:

誘拐された娘と２５年ぶりに再開 中国

5月23日 9時37分

中国で２５年前に４歳の娘を誘拐され行方を探し続けていた母親が、このほど劇的な再会を果たし大きな関心を集めています。

この人は中国東部、浙江省に住む蔡娟娟さんで、２５年前、自宅にいた当時４歳の娘が姿を消し、その後誘拐されていたことが分かりました。
地元メディアによりますと、娘の茹茹さんは複数の人のところを経て誘拐の事情を知らない夫婦に引き取られました。
ところが最近になって、夫婦から血縁関係がないことを打ち明けられ公安当局が運営する行方不明者のデータベースを通じて蔡さんとの親子関係が証明されたということです。
蔡さんはこのほど広東省※深センの空港で茹茹さんに再会して抱きしめ、「娘の居所を知っているという人に何度もだまされてきました」とハンカチで涙を拭っていました。
また結婚して２児をもうけた茹茹さんは「母に会えない間ずっと不安に過ごしてきました」と話していました。
茹茹さんが連れ去られた詳しいいきさつは明らかになっていませんが、中国では人身売買が深刻な社会問題になっていることから、無理やり引き裂かれた２５年ぶりの親子の再会は大きな関心を集めています。
※センは土偏に川

(試譯文)

In China a mother whose 4-year-old daughter was kidnapped 25 years ago continued looking for her whereabouts had achieved a dramatic reunion on the other day; it had attracted huge attention.

This person was Cai Juanjuan who lived in Zhejiang of eastern China. Twenty-five years ago her then 4-year-old daughter disappeared from the house, there after it was understood that she had been kidnapped.

According to a local media, Ruru the daughter was kidnapped through multiple peoples' places and then was taken over by a husband and wife who did not know the situation.

However, recently it was said that a child-parent relationship with Madam Cai was proved through a missing person's database managed by the public security authorities, and it was revealed that there was no blood relationship with the husband and wife.

On the other day, Madam Cai met Ruru again; she gave a tight hug at Guangdong’s Shen Zhen's airport. Wiping tears with the handkerchief she said "I have been deceived many times by people who know the whereabouts of my daughter".

Moreover, Ruru who was married and had two children was saying that "I have much anxiety while not seeing mother".

Although the detailed circumstances on the abduction of Ruru were not clear. In China human trafficking was a serious social problem. For the first time after being torn apart by force, a reunion of the parent and child after 25 years was attracting huge interest.

     I hope the China authority could give more resources to deal with the human trafficking social problem.