日本美國調査超過１万人: 血型同性格「沒有関連」

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

血液型と性格「関連なし」…日米１万人超を調査

2014年07月19日 20時59分

　血液型と性格の関連性に科学的根拠はないとする統計学的な解析結果を、九州大の縄田健悟講師（社会心理学）が発表した。

　日米の１万人以上を対象にした意識調査のデータを分析した。「Ａ型の人は真面目」「Ｂ型は自己中心的」といった血液型診断は、国内で広く信じられているが、就職や人事などで差別される「ブラッドタイプ（血液型）・ハラスメント」の問題も指摘されており、一石を投じそうだ。

　研究成果は６月２５日に発行された日本心理学会の機関誌「心理学研究」に掲載された。

　縄田講師によると、血液型と性格を結びつける考え方は国内では流布しているが、海外ではほとんど知られていない。１９７０年代に出版された関連本がきっかけで、その後もテレビ番組などで紹介されたことで広がったという。

　縄田講師は、経済学分野の研究チームが、２００４～０５年に日米の１万人以上を対象に、生活上の様々な好き嫌いなどを尋ねた意識調査に、回答者の血液型が記載されていることに注目。血液型によって回答に違いがあるかどうかを解析した。

　その結果、「楽しみは後に取っておきたい」「ギャンブルはすべきではない」など、計６８項目の質問に対する回答のうち、血液型によって差があったのは「子供の将来が気にかかる」などの３項目だけで、その差もごくわずかだった。このため「無関連であることを強く示した」と結論づけた。

　血液型を巡っては、特定の血液型の人格が否定的にとらえられる例があり、問題視されている。厚生労働省によると、採用面接などで血液型を尋ねられるケースは後を絶たず、同省は「血液型は職務能力や適性とは全く関係ない」として、血液型を質問しないよう企業に求めている。大阪労働局によると、採用試験の応募用紙に血液型などの記入欄を設けていた企業に対し、是正するよう行政指導した例があるという。

(試譯文)

Kengo Nawata, a lecturer (social psychology) of the Kyushu University released the statistical analysis result which supposed that there was no scientific basis to suggest that blood type and personal character were related.

The survey data on over 10,000 people from Japan and the U.S. were analyzed. While character diagnosis saying that “blood type A people are serious" and "B type are self-centered" was widely believed in Japan, "blood type harassment" incident: discrimination in employment and personnel affairs etc. had been also pointed out, and was seen to have caused a stir.

The result of this research was published in a bulletin: the "Psychology Research" of the Japanese Psychological Association on June 25.

According to lecturer Nawata, although the view that connected character to a blood type had circulated in the country, it was hardly known overseas. It was said that after a related book was published in the 1970s that this view was spread by taking advantage of the introductions made by TV programs etc.

Lecturer Nawata noted the respondent's blood type as indicated in the survey sheet when a research team in the economics field made inquiries on various tastes in life etc. on over 10,000 people from Japan and the U.S. in 2004 - 05. Data were analyzed based on blood types to see whether the replies could show a difference.

As a result, in the replies to questions, out of a total of 68 items such as "prefer putting pleasure aside" and "should not gamble" etc., only three items such as "children’s future is worrisome" that showed a difference among the replies based on blood types; yet even such a difference was negligible. For this reason, "showing strongly that they were not related" was concluded.

Revolving around blood types, there were cases which perceived negatively the character of certain blood types; this was regarded as problematic. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, cases that asked about blood type during employment interviews etc. would not come to an end. But as "a blood type is not related to functional skill or aptitude at all", the said Ministry would request companies not to ask about blood types. The Osaka labor bureau said that there were incidents that they gave out administrative guidance to correct those companies which had prepared columns in their recruitment application forms to ask about blood type etc.

It is an interesting finding.

日本新力改革公司加薪制度

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

ソニー、年齢による給与上昇を廃止へ　人件費削減へ

高木真也

2014年7月25日21時37分

　経営不振が続くソニーは、来年度をめどに給与制度を変える。年齢に応じて給与が上がる仕組みをなくし、受け持つ仕事の内容を重視する。人件費を抑えつつ、社員のやる気を引き出すねらいだが、労働組合の反発を招く可能性もある。

　ソニー本体の約１万４千人が対象。労組に来月提案し、合意すれば２０１５年度に変える。抜本的な給与制度の変更は０４年以来だ。

　これまでも、能力や業務の専門性を基本給に反映させる割合を高めてきた。ただ、一部には年次や経験などを考慮する部分を残していた。

　新しい制度ではこうした「年功主義」のような部分をなくし、役割や責任に応じた仕組みに改める。

　同時に、２０代の社員を管理職に登用するなど、若手のやる気を引き出す人事制度の導入も検討する。ソニー本体では、社員の平均年齢が年々上がり、今では管理職が４割を超えている。新制度では、こうした中高年の管理職層の給与が大きく減らされる見通しだ。

　ソニーは１３年度に１２８３億円の純損失を出し、今年度も５００億円の赤字を見込む。今年度は本社の間接部門で希望退職を募ったり、海外の販売子会社を縮小したりするなどのリストラを進めている。

　ソニー本体の社員の平均年収は０３年度の９２１万円から１３年度は８８５万円に減っている。厳しい経営状況を踏まえ、ボーナスだけでなく給与の削減にも踏み込むことで、利益を出しやすくするねらいだ。（高木真也）

(試譯文)

Sony with continuing poor business performance would change its salary system within next year. The structure which salary went up according to age would be abolished, and the contents of the work that was taken charge of would be considered as important. As it aimed at enhancing employee's motivation and to cut down personnel expenses, it might be rejected by the labor union.

The target was the some 14,000 core people in Sony. If it was proposed to the labor union next month and agreed upon, changes would take place in the 2015 fiscal year. It was a radical salary system change since 2004.

The rate of basic wage increase so far was reflected in the capability and the special nature of the business. However, part of the rate had been left to the consideration based on years of service and experience etc.

Under the new system, the portion like "the long working experience principle" would be given up, and changes in structure would be made according to the role and responsibility.

Simultaneously, those employees who were in his twenties would be appointed into the management etc; also the introduction of a personal rating system to encourage motivation from the young would be considered. In Sony the majority employees’ average age went up every year, and now over 40 percent was in the management position. Under the new system, the salary of people at the middle or senior management level was expected to decrease greatly.

Sony had a 128,300 million yen net loss in the 2013 fiscal year, and also expected a 50 billion yen deficit in the current fiscal year. Restructuring through accepting voluntary resignation in the current fiscal year from the non-major sections inside the head office, and reducing overseas sales sub-office was in progress.

Sony’s average annual salary for its core employees had decreased to 8,850,000 yen in 2013 fiscal year from 9,210,000 yen in 2003 fiscal year. Because of the severe financial condition, not only reduction in bonus but also in salary would be in place, the aim was to help getting profits.

The changes effected by Sony are understandable given its huge deficits.

選舉最有創意日本發明

A few weeks the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:

イノベーション１００選:即席めん、新幹線…トップ１０

毎日新聞　2014年06月18日　20時21分（最終更新　06月18日　20時37分）

　公益社団法人「発明協会」（庄山悦彦会長）は１８日、「戦後日本のイノベーション１００選」トップ１０を発表した。インスタントラーメン（１９５８年）や新幹線（６４年）など、世界をけん引してきた技術や、歴代のヒット商品が並んだ。

　イノベーションを「経済的な活動で、歴史的社会的に大きな変革をもたらした事業」などと定義。インターネットでのアンケートや業界団体からの聞き取りなどを基に、選定委員会（委員長＝野中郁次郎・一橋大名誉教授）が選定した。

　協会の創立１１０年記念企画で１００選を決めていく。１８日は第１弾として、アンケートで評価が高かった１０件と、回転寿司（５８年）、自動改札システム（６７年）など高度経済成長期までの２８件の計３８件を公表。同協会は「戦後これだけのイノベーションを実現してきたことは日本にとっての自信になり、さらなる変革のきっかけにもなる」としている。【大場あい】

(試譯文)

   On the 18th (June) the "Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation" (Chairman Etsuhiko Shoyama), an incorporated association for public welfare, announced the top 10 of the "100 Elected Postwar Japan Innovations": innovation using technology that had guided the world, such as instant noodles (1958) and the Shinkansen (1964); all the hot-selling products in the past were being lined up.

   An innovation was defined as "an enterprise etc. which brought about a big change historically and socially through economical activities". The selection committee (chairperson: Emeritus Professor Ikujiro Nonaka of the Hitotsubashi University) did the selection based on interviews with industrial groups and also based on questionnaires on the Internet etc.

   The decision to choose the 100 innovations was to commemorate the 110^th year of the founding of the Institute. On the 18th, as the 1st phase, the evaluation done by questionnaire was released regarding the ten highest innovations: a revolving sushi (1958) and an automatic ticket gate system (1967) etc. totaling 28 cases out of 38, seen during the rapid economic growth period. The association supposed that “it becomes the confidence for Japan when noting these innovation achievement after the War, and it will also become a cause for further changes".

Japan always has cool innovations. To me items such as instant noodle and Walkman are impressive.

習主席: 為「適応力量的変化」有必要向海洋進發

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

習主席「力の変化に適応」海洋進出を正当化

6月28日 22時47分

中国の習近平国家主席は、２８日、各国の大使らを前に演説し、「われわれは国際関係を理にかなったものにし、力関係の新しい変化に適応すべきだ」と述べ、国力の増大を背景にした中国の海洋進出の動きを正当化しました。

中国政府は、１９５４年にインドや当時のビルマ、今のミャンマーと共同で「平和５原則」を発表してから６０年になるのを記念する催しを、２８日、北京の人民大会堂で開き、各国の大使ら１００人余りを招きました。
主権と領土の尊重や内政不干渉などからなる平和５原則を、中国は現在も外交の基本原則として掲げていて、演説した習近平国家主席は「主権と領土の保全を侵すことは許されない。各国は互いの核心的利益を尊重すべきだ」と強調しました。
そのうえで、アメリカや日本などが海洋進出を強める中国に対して「法の支配」を尊重するよう求めていることを念頭に、「『法の支配』の名の下に他国の正当な権益を侵害し、平和と安定を破壊することには反対すべきだ」と述べました。
さらに、習主席は「われわれは国際関係を理にかなったものにし、力関係の新しい変化に適応すべきだ」と述べ、国力の増大を背景にした中国の海洋進出の動きを正当化しました。

(試譯文)

On the 28^th (June) PRC President Xi Jinping made a speech before the ambassadors of various countries saying that "we all treat international relation rationally and should adapt to new changes in power relationship", justifying China’s move to advance towards the sea against the background of its increasing national power.

The Chinese government held the event to commemorate that it was 60 years after announcing the "Five peace principles" in collaboration with India and Burma of those days, now the Myanmar. It was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the 28th with over 100 people participating, they were ambassadors from various countries.

PRC President Xi Jinping, while still up holding China’s 5-principle on peace which consisted of respecting the sovereignty and territory of other countries, and the noninterference into other’s internal affairs etc. as essential principles of diplomacy, made a speech to stress that "any infringement on the preservation of sovereignty and territory would not be allowed and that mutually countries should respect other’s core interests".

Moreover, regarding the idea of the United States and Japan etc. to ask China to respect "the rule of law" when the latter strengthened its sea advance, it was emphasized that “it would oppose to both the infringement on legitimate rights and interests by other countries, and breaking peace and stability in the name of rule of law".

Furthermore, President Xi Jinping said that "we should make international relation a rational thing and should adapt to new changes in power relationship", and justified China’s movement to advance towards the sea against the background of its increasing national power.

     I think China’s foreign policy objective to-day is very different from those 60 years ago. To-day it is trying to change international power relationship.

日本老師: 工作時間最長 自我評価低

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

日本の教員 勤務時間最長 自己評価低い

6月25日 18時11分

学校の教員の勤務や指導の環境について国際調査が行われ、日本の教員は、勤務時間が週におよそ５４時間と参加した国や地域の中で最も長い一方で、自己評価は低いことが分かりました。

この調査はＯＥＣＤ＝経済協力開発機構が去年、３４の国と地域を対象に行いました。
日本は初めて参加し、中学校の校長や教員およそ３７００人が回答しました。
この中で１週間当たりの勤務時間を聞いたところ、日本の教員は５３．９時間と参加した国や地域のうち最も長く、平均の１．４倍に上りました。
内訳を見ますと、授業の時間は１７．７時間で平均の１９．３時間より短かったものの、部活動などの課外活動は７．７時間と平均の３倍余りに上り、事務作業の時間も平均のおよそ２倍でした。
一方で、学級運営や教科指導などに対する自己評価は低く、特に「生徒の批判的思考を促す」指導や「生徒に勉強ができると自信を持たせる」指導ができていると自分を高く評価した教員の割合は、平均のおよそ５分の１にとどまりました。
さらに、仕事のスケジュールと合わないため研修に参加できないと答えた教員が８割を超えています。文部科学省は「幅広い業務が重なり子どもたちの指導に集中できず、能力開発も十分行えずにいる実態が浮き彫りになった。教員を増やすなど体制の充実を図っていきたい」と話しています。

(試譯文)

An international research was performed on the service of teachers and their teaching environment in schools. It showed that while the office-hour of Japanese teachers was about 54 hours in a week, being the longest in the participating countries and areas, their self-valuation was low.

The OECD - Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development conducted this investigation on 34 countries and areas last year.

Japan participated in the investigation for the first time, principals and teachers of about 3700 people from junior high schools answered it.

In it, on the question about office-hour per week, the Japanese teacher was 53.9 hours, being the longest among the participating countries and areas, and above the average by 1.4 times.

Although the teaching-hour was 17.7 which was shorter than the average 19.3 hours, when individual items were seen, extracurricular activities such as part activity went up to 7.7 hours which was three times as much as the average, and the time of clerical work was also about twice of the average.

On the other hand, it was low on self-valuation on class management and course teaching etc., especially on the percentage of the teachers who judged highly that they could give guiding instruction "to encourage students’ critical thinking", and instruction "to encourage student to have the confidence to learn". It was on average about one out of five.

Furthermore, over 80 percent of the teachers answered that they could not participate in training because their work schedule could not fitted into it. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology said that "due to a wide range of business overlapping, the teaching of children cannot be focused; the reality that ability developments could not be sufficiently carried out had been highlighted. I plan on beefing up the organization, such as to have more teachers".

    It seems that improvement in education is needed in order to improve the teaching quality in Japan.

歌手加藤登紀子在大阪西成區義唱

Yesterday the Mainichi News on-line reported the following:

加藤登紀子さん:３１年ぶり釜ケ崎で熱唱…大阪・西成

毎日新聞　2014年08月16日　00時04分（最終更新　08月16日　00時32分）

　日本最大の日雇い労働者の街、大阪市西成区の釜ケ崎で１５日、地域恒例の「夏まつり」に歌手の加藤登紀子さん（７０）が、手弁当で初出演した。会場の通称「三角公園」で加藤さんは３１年前にコンサートを開いており、「生きているということを心底共有できる人たちの存在を、改めて感じた。来年もぜひ来たい」と話した。

　日雇い労働者や野宿者、単身高齢者らの支援者などでつくる実行委員会が、故郷と縁遠くなっている人たちに釜ケ崎に「ふるさと」を感じてもらおうと、１９７２年からお盆の時期に開いている。

　昨年１１月、野宿者の自立を支援する雑誌「ビッグイシュー」で加藤さんが「また釜ケ崎でコンサートを開きたい」と語っているのを、実行委のメンバーが目にした。事務所を通じて出演を打診すると快諾されたという。実行委の新井信芳さん（５２）は「貧困問題などについても発言する仲間として参加してほしかった」と話す。

　８３年７月に加藤さんは三角公園で弾き語りコンサートを開き、労働者の憩いの場建設のためのカンパを募ったことがある。「格好つけず真実味のある人たちに、歌が伝わるのを感じた」と振り返る。

　雨に見舞われたこの日、加藤さんは「百万本のバラ」「愛を耕すものたちよ」などを熱唱し、約１０００人の聴衆に「生きることってしんどいけど素晴らしい」と語りかけた。路上などで亡くなった身寄りのない人を悼む慰霊祭にも参加し、唱歌「ふるさと」を合唱した。【森田真潮】

(試譯文)

     In Osaka on the 15^th , in Kamagasaki of the Nishinari district that had the biggest day-laborer town in Japan, singer Ms. Tokiko Kato (70) for the first time without pay appeared in the "Summer Festival"; the festival was a local traditional practice. Mr. Kato had held a concert 31 years ago at a gathering location commonly known as the "Triangular Park". She said that “I feel again the presence of people who can genuinely share staying alive together. I very much would like to come again next year".

An executive committee formed by supporters of day-laborers, street sleepers and single elderly people etc. was trying to make those people who were far away from their hometown to have a feeling of "home" in Kamagasaki by organizing a gathering during the Bon Festival since 1972.

One executive committee member noticed that Ms. Kato was saying that "I would like to hold a concert in Kamagasaki again" in November last year in the magazine "Big issue" which supported street sleepers to become self-sufficient. It was said that she readily gave her consent when a performance suggestion was sounded out through her agent office. Mr. Nobuyoshi Arai (52) of the executive committee said that "I want her to participate as a friend to speak about the poverty problem also".

In July 1983 Ms. Kato held a play-string-and-sing concert in the Triangular Park and collected contributions for building a place for workers' relaxation. When looking back she had "a feeling that her songs have reached those people who are not good looking yet faithful”.

On that day the rain was hitting, Ms. Kato sang ardently "One million roses", "The things who cultivate love" etc., and spoke to an audience of about 1000 people, saying that "although life is difficult, it is wonderful". She also participated in a memorial service which mourned those who had passed away in the streets etc. without any relative. People sang the song "Home Village" together.

I have heard the songs of Ms. Tokiko Kato before. It is nice to note that she is still singing for the poor people.

韓国民意調查: 感覺日本有軍事脅威

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

「軍事的脅威感じる国」２位に日本…韓国側世論

2014年07月10日 20時00分

　【ソウル＝豊浦潤一】日本の「言論ＮＰＯ」と韓国の調査研究機関「東アジア研究院」が５月末から６月下旬に実施した「第２回日韓共同世論調査」の結果が１０日、発表され、韓国側が「軍事的脅威を感じる国・地域」で、日本が北朝鮮に次ぐ２位だったことが分かった。

　回答は二つまでで、北朝鮮を挙げたのが８３・４％。日本は４６・３％で、３位の中国は３９・６％だった。「日韓の軍事紛争が起こると思うか」との質問でも、韓国側は「数年以内に起こる」と「将来的には起こる」が計４０・８％を占め、日本側の計９・２％を大きく上回った。日本の集団的自衛権行使容認をめぐる論議が、韓国で「戦争を可能にする」などと報じられている影響とみられる。

(試譯文)

On the 10^th the result of the "Second Japan-South Korea common opinion poll" done by "Genron NPO" of Japan, together with a South Korea research study organization the "East Asia Institute", covering the period from the end of May to late June was released. It turned out that on the South Korea side, Japan was on the 2nd place, ranking second to North Korea as "a country or area which a military threat was felt".

The reply was limited to two, 83.4% mentioned North Korea, Japan was 46.3% and China at the 3rd place was 39.6%. As for the question "whether you think that a Japan-South Korea military conflict may take place", on the South Korea side those said that "it may happen within a few years” or "it may happen in the future"  occupied a total of 40.8%, far exceeded the 9.2%  in Japan. The argument involving Japan’s admission to exercise its right-of-collective-self-defense was regarded as influencing a reply that "a war is possible" etc. in South Korea. 

I think the possibility to have a Sino-Japanese military conflict is high. Japan is too busy to contemplate a conflict with South Korea at the moment. 

商店検査中国製電器用品不足被罰

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

中国製品検査に不備、コーナンに販売停止処分

2014年06月27日 21時04分

　ホームセンター大手のコーナン商事（堺市）が、安全検査に不備がある電気製品を販売した問題で、経済産業省は２７日、電気用品安全法で義務づけられた検査記録の保存などを怠ったとして、同社に対し、９５０品目を１～３か月間販売停止とする処分を行った。同省によると、２００１年の同法施行以来、販売停止処分は初めて。

　経産省は５～６月、同社に立ち入り調査を実施し、０１年度以降に主に中国から輸入された約１６００品目を調べた。電子レンジや炊飯器など９５０品目について、海外の製造元から検査記録を取り寄せていなかったり、検査の徹底を指示しなかったりしたことが判明。こうした不備があったのに、検査済みを示す「ＰＳＥマーク」を表示していた。

(試譯文)

Regarding Kohnan Shoji (Sakai), a major home center company, there was a problem that the electric goods it sold were found to have defects during a safety inspection. On the 27th (June) the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, noting that it had neglected the duty to keep inspection records as demanded by the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law, imposed a penalty on the company by stopping it to sell 950 items for one to three months. According to the said ministry, it was the first time since the enforcement of the law in the fiscal year 2001 to impose the sales stopping penalty.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in May to June visited the company to investigate, checking about 1600 items mainly imported from China since 2001. It became clear that for microwave oven, rice cookers etc. 950 items, it had not sought inspection records from the overseas manufacturers, nor had carried out a thorough inspection on them. Although there were defects, a "PSE mark" was displayed to show that an inspection was completed.

It is shocking to note that, even if you see the "PSE mark", there is no guarantee that the electrical item you buy in Japan is safe.

美國年度報告:中国軍隊現代化重点在南海和東海

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

中国軍近代化「南・東シナ海に重点」米年次報告

2014年06月06日 11時55分

　【ワシントン＝今井隆】米国防総省は５日、中国の軍事・安全保障に関する年次報告書を公表した。

　中国が進めている軍の近代化は「台湾海峡有事に加え、南シナ海・東シナ海での潜在的な有事への準備に重点が置かれている」と分析し、その拡張主義が米国の同盟国を含む周辺国との「摩擦の原因になっている」と指摘した。

　沖縄県の尖閣諸島について報告書では、「日本の施政下にある」と明記した。また、中国が東シナ海に設定した防空識別圏の運用に関し、「容認しない」と引き続き拒否する方針を示した。

　中国の軍事費については、「透明性が欠けている」と繰り返し批判し、２０１３年の国防費は公表されている１１９５億ドル（約１２兆２２３６億円）より２１％も多い１４５０億ドル（約１４兆８３２０億円）を超えると見積もった。外国製の武器や装備の調達を除外していることなどを要因に挙げている。

　海洋権益の獲得に向けて増強を続ける海軍では、東シナ海や南シナ海をにらんだ装備として、軽量級の新型艦艇コルベット「０５６型」の配備を進めていると分析し、「１３年に９隻を導入した。さらに２０～３０隻を建造するだろう」と記した。初の国産空母就役は２０年代初頭、初の強襲揚陸艦建造は２０年までに行われると予想した。

(試譯文)

On the 5^th (June), the Pentagon announced its annual report on China’s military and security.

It analyzed that the army modernization in China was advancing towards “putting emphasis on the preparation for the potential emergency in South China Sea and the East China Sea in addition to the Taiwan Strait emergency", and indicated that China’s expansion principle was the cause for "friction with neighboring countries including the American allies".

About the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture the report wrote clearly that "it is under the administration of Japan". Moreover, about the setting up of the air defense identification zone in the East China Sea by China, the US continued to reject it by saying that "it was not recognized".

About the Chinese war expenditure, the report repeatedly criticized it as "lacking in transparency", and estimated that the national defense expenditure had exceeded 145 billion dollars (about 14,832 billion yen), which was 21% more than the 119,500 million dollars (about 12,223,600 million yen) released for 2013. The reason mentioned was that foreign-made equipment supply and arms etc. were excluded.

About the navy which had continuous reinforcement towards acquisition of sea rights and interests, the report analyzed it as advancing the disposition of a lightweight new style warship corvette "056 type", the equipment used to watch over the East China Sea and South China Sea. It described that “in 2013 nine boats were introduced. Further 20 - 30 boats would probably be built". The first domestic aircraft carrier would start service by the beginning of the 2020s while the construction of the first amphibious assault ship would be completed by 2020.

It is interesting to note that China’s national defense expenditure could have exceeded 145 billion dollars.

日本應加強在美國發聲以抗衡中韓

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

日本が存在感示し中韓に対抗を…カルダー氏

2014年08月05日 23時56分

ケント・カルダー・米ジョンズ・ホプキンス大ライシャワー東アジア研究所長が５日、ＢＳ日テレの「深層ＮＥＷＳ」に出演し、米ワシントンで発信力を高める中国や韓国に対抗するため、日本が存在感を示すべきだとの考えを示した。

　カルダー氏は、中国国営テレビが多くの米国人を採用した上で、「歴史問題や領土問題で日本を批判し、中国が言いたいことを米国人に言わせている」と指摘。日本のシンクタンク（政策研究機関）が米国から撤退している状況にも触れ、「安全保障や世界経済などについて日本が言うべきことはたくさんある」と強調した。田中均・日本総合研究所国際戦略研究所理事長も「政府の発信だけでなく、シンクタンクなどの場で、日本人が英語で発信していくことも重要だ」と語った。

(試譯文)

Kent Calder, head of the U.S. Jones Hopkins University Reischauer East Asian Studies appeared on the "Deep News" of BS TV on the 5th, indicated the idea that in order to counter-act China and South Korea, Japan should heighten its communication ability in Washington, U.S., and should show its presence.

Mr. Calder indicated that the China state television was employing many Americans to “criticize Japan on the history issue and on the territorial disputes, and is making the American to say what China wants to say". He also touched on the situation that Japanese think tanks (policy research institution) had withdrawn from the U.S., and emphasized that "there are many things which Japan should talk about: on security protection and on world economy etc.” Hitoshi Tanaka the chairman of the board of directors of the Japan Research Institute, Institute for International Strategy also said "it is important for the Japanese people to send out their messages in English, not only in governmental dispatches but also at places such as policy research institutions".

I am interested to know whether Japan will follow Mr. Calder’s advice to strengthen its presence in the US.

日本先鋒音響出售映音業務

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

パイオニア、ＡＶ事業をオンキヨーなどに売却

2014年06月24日 21時34分

　電機メーカーのパイオニアは２４日、業績不振が続く音響・映像（ＡＶ）機器事業の中核を、音響機器メーカー「オンキヨー」（大阪市）と香港の投資ファンドに売却することで基本合意したと発表した。

　パイオニアは、オーディオコンポやホームシアターなどを手がける１００％子会社「パイオニアホームエレクトロニクス」の株式のうち、５１％を香港のファンドに、残りの一定割合をオンキヨーに、それぞれ８月末までに売却する。パイオニアも一部は保有し続ける予定だ。

　売却後は、オンキヨーとパイオニアのブランドは維持しながら、部品の調達や製品の設計などを共通化して収益改善を目指す。

　パイオニアのＡＶ機器事業の売り上げは、全体の約２割になる。このうち、ヘッドホンなどの一部の事業は残す。売り上げの約７割を占めるカーナビゲーションシステムなどの事業を成長の柱と位置づけており、経営資源を集中させる方針だ。

(試譯文)

On the 24^th (June) Pioneer the electrical equipment manufacturer announced that it had reached a basic agreement to sell off its core business in sound and image (AV) equipment, which was continuously having poor business, to another audio equipment maker "Onkyo" (Osaka), and also to an investment fund in Hong Kong.

Pioneer would sell off 51% of the stocks of its wholly-owned subsidiary "Pioneer Home Electronics" which was responsible for audio component stereo and home theater etc. to an investment fund in Hong Kong. Regarding the remaining stocks, a fixed portion would be sold to Onkyo by the end of August while the rest would continue be kept by Pioneer.

After this sale, the brands of Onkyo and Pioneer would maintain their connection, they would share the supply of parts and the design of products etc., aiming at some profit improvement.

The sales of Pioneer's AV equipment business represented about twenty percent of the whole enterprise. What was left behind would include the business on headphones etc. The business on car-navigation systems etc. which occupied about 70 percent of sales would be regarded as the pillar of growth, and a centralization of management resources was being planned.

"Pioneer” is a famous brand name in audio equipment and home theater etc. Hong Kong people have heard of this brand name many years ago.