“18歲有選舉權” 頒布修正公選法..... 明年六月實施

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

「１８歳選挙権」改正公選法公布…来年６月施行

2015年06月19日 23時33分

　選挙権年齢を「２０歳以上」から「１８歳以上」に引き下げる改正公職選挙法が１９日、公布された。

　施行は２０１６年６月１９日となる。施行後、最初の国政選挙から１８歳選挙権が適用されるが、来夏の参院選から初適用となる公算が大きい。

　来年改選の参院議員の任期は１６年７月２５日まで。来夏の参院選は６月２３日公示、７月１０日投票か、それ以降が有力視されている。１８歳選挙権の実現によって、新たに１８、１９歳の有権者計約２４０万人が加わることになる。

　参院選で適用されれば、それ以降に行われる地方選挙も１８歳から投票できるようになる。

(试译文)

 On the 19^th (June) a change in the Public Office Election law which would reduce the voting age from "over 20 years old" to "over 18 years old" was announced.

 The implementation date would be June 19^th, 2016. After becoming effective, the voting age set at 18 years old would first be applicable to the National Election. A prospect was likely that it would have its first application at the House of Councilors election next summer.

 Members of the House of Councilors would have a re-election because their tenure of office would end by July 25th, 2016 next year. The upcoming summer House of Councilors election would be made public on June 23, voting would be on July 10, subsequently a prospect could be seen. A total of about 2,400,000 eighteen or nineteen-year-old voters would join for the first time due the realization of setting the voting ago at 18 years old.

 After being applied to the House of Councilors election, on reaching the age of 18 years old, one could also vote in the subsequent local election to be held.

I am interested to know the voting intentions of the new young voters.

増加船舶和飛機監視尖閣，基地是必要的......中國報紙

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

尖閣監視の船や航空機増え、基地必要に…中国紙

2015年06月15日 21時57分

　【北京＝五十嵐文】１５日付の中国共産党機関紙・人民日報系の環球時報は、中国海警局が浙江省温州市の海岸に建設を予定している大型基地について、沖縄県・尖閣諸島周辺海域など東シナ海の監視に必要な公船や航空機の数量が増えたことから必要となったとする関係者の談話を紹介し、計画を事実上認めた。

　それによると、東シナ海の監視ではこれまで浙江省寧波市にある基地が使われていたが、パトロール範囲の拡大や艦艇の大型化などに伴い、同基地の施設だけではやっていけなくなったと指摘。同時に、同局では空からの監視を強化するため、飛行機やヘリコプターの数も増やしていることを明らかにした。

(試譯文)

 On the 15^th (June) the Global Times, which was related to the People's Daily of the Chinese Communist Party, regarding the scheduled construction of a large base by the Chinese Maritime Police Bureau in Zhejiang province at the coast of Wenzhou city, carried a talk given by a related person  on the need to increase the number of official ships and airplanes necessary to watch over the sea area around the Okinawa prefecture Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, which in effect admitting to the existence of such a plan.

 According to that, up to now the base in Zhejiang province Ningbo city was used to watch over the East China Sea, and it was pointed out that they could no longer get along with the facilities in this base due to the expansion in patrol area and increases in war-ships. The said bureau at the same time had strengthened the watch from the sky; it was made clear that the number of airplanes and helicopters was also being increased.

It is normal for China to strengthen its coastal facilities in order to increase its presence in the East China Sea etc. I think on top of monitoring Japan, this naval base can also be used to watch over the activities of Taiwan if the situation warrants.

“電池耗盡”小型彗星着陸機，七個月後首次恢復操作

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

「電池切れ」彗星小型着陸機、７か月ぶりに復旧

2015年06月15日 22時51分

　欧州宇宙機関（ＥＳＡ）は１４日、史上初めて昨年彗星(すいせい)に着陸したものの、直後に電池切れで通信が途絶えた小型着陸機「フィラエ」が、７か月ぶりに復旧したことを明らかにした。

　フィラエは昨年１１月、探査機ロゼッタから分離されチュリュモフ・ゲラシメンコ彗星に降下したが、着陸時に跳びはね、予定外のくぼ地付近に着地。充電に必要な太陽光が十分に当たらず、電気を２日半で使い果たし、信号が途絶えた。

　ＥＳＡによると、フィラエからの信号が１３日（日本時間１４日）、ドイツにある管制センターに届いた。通信時間は１分２５秒だった。

　フィラエは通信前から復旧していたとみられ、８０００以上のデータが記録されているという。ＥＳＡの担当者は「フィラエは運用できる状態だ」とコメントしている。

(試譯文)

 On the 14th (June) it was made clear by the European Space Agency (ESA) that a small landing machine "Firae" that had a historical comet landing last year, with its communication severed immediately after landing due to no battery, had resumed operation after 7 months.

 Firae was separated from the probing machine Rosetta and fell on the comet Churyumofu Gerashimenko in November last year. But during the landing it jumped and landed near an unplanned pit. It could not get the necessary sunlight to re-charge sufficiently, its signal stopped when electricity was used up in 2 and a half days.

 According to ESA, on 13^th (June) (Japan time on 14th) a signal was received from Firae by the operating center in Germany. The communication time was 1 minute 25 seconds.

 Firae was thought to have resumed the normal communication, and it was said that more than 8000 data were recorded. A person in charge of ESA was commenting that "Firae is in an operational mode".

It is nice to know that this space project now can be continued.

馬來西亞派出海軍船隻到沿海水域監控中國船

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

マレーシア、近海の中国船監視に海軍艇派遣

シンガポール＝都留悦史、ハノイ＝佐々木学

2015年6月14日00時08分

　南シナ海の領有権問題で、マレーシアが実効支配する岩礁に、マレーシア海軍が対艦ミサイル搭載の船艇を派遣した。現場海域を最近、中国の公船が頻繁に往来しているためで、海軍は「領海内に侵入した中国船の監視が目的」とするが、現場で緊張が一段と高まる恐れもある。

　国際軍事情報誌「ＩＨＳジェーンズ・ディフェンス・ウィークリー」が１１日、マレーシア海軍報道官の話として伝えた。

　海軍は今月３日、ボルネオ島北部から約１２０キロ離れたルコニア礁の一部で、マレーシアが実効支配する南ルコニア礁に船艇を配備した。ＡＦＰ通信によると、ジャーファル海軍司令官は今月初旬、「昨年９月ごろから、中国海警局の船による侵犯が増えた」と説明。現場海域に停泊する中国船に、無線を通じて立ち退きを求めたが、「応答がない」（ジャーファル氏）と不満を漏らしていた。

　ＩＨＳに対し、海軍報道官は「軍の運用手続きに基づいて中国船を監視している」と答えた。

(試譯文)

  Due to sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea, the Malaysian navy had dispatched boats equipped with anti-ship missiles to the reef that Malaysia had practical and effective rule. A reason was that recently Chinese official ships were frequently coming and going in that sea area; for the navy they "aim at monitoring the Chinese ship that might invade into the territorial waters". There was also a fear that tensions would further heighten at the site.

  On the 11^th (June), a Malaysian navy press attaché told this to an international military information magazine the "IHS Jane's Defense Weekly".

  On the 3rd this month (June) the navy deployed a boat in the Southern Rukonia reef where they had practical effective control. It was the part of the Rukonia reef that was about 120 kilometers away from Borneo Island north of Malaysia. According to AFP communication, at the beginning of this month, Jafaru the navy commander explained that "invasions by ships from the China Maritime Police Bureau had increased from around September last year". Through a radio they asked the Chinese ships which anchored at that sea area to evacuate, but there was "no response" (Mr. Jafaru)

was complaining.

  A navy press attaché replied to IHS that "Chinese ships were being watched based on army operation procedures".

It seems that Malaysia has good reasons to beef up its maritime security and there are good reasons for them to be cautious.

紹介例如人工智能等最先進的IT研究

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

人工知能など最先端のＩＴ研究を紹介

6月14日 0時00分

ＩＴ＝情報通信技術の最先端の研究成果を発表する催しが東京で開かれ、仮想空間の中でロボットの人工知能が学習していく仕組みや、さまざまな音の中から特定の音を取り出す技術などが紹介されました。

この催しは、東京・千代田区の「国立情報学研究所」が開いたもので、およそ８０のブースが設けられました。
このうち人工知能のブースでは、ゴーグル型の機器を着けた担当者が映像上の仮想空間の中で、ロボットにゴミの分別を指示していき、間違えるたびに正解を教えると徐々に正しく行動するようになることが紹介されました。
この仮想空間のシステムは人間の脳に働きかけることも可能で、人のリハビリに使う研究も進められているということです。
また、若手研究者の発表コーナーでは、１０人が７分半の持ち時間で１０件ずつ、合計１００件の研究を発表しました。
このうち、音声識別の研究者はさまざまな音の中から特定の音を取り出す技術を開発し、会場で最初に音楽を流したあと、楽器部分と音声部分を切り出して紹介していました。この技術が進めば、人の話し声を正確に聞き取り、自動翻訳やカーナビゲーションの音声操作などに生かせるということです。
実行委員長の山地一禎准教授は「研究成果を社会で役立てられるようにしていきたい」と話していました。

(試譯文) 

 An event which announced the most advanced study results on information technology = IT was held in Tokyo; the mechanism that a robot could learn artificial intelligence in the virtual space, and the technology which could pick up a specific sound among the different sounds was introduced.

 The "National Institute of Informatics" in Chiyoda district held this event; approximately 80 booths were set up.

 Among those booths for artificial intelligence, a person in charge put on of a goggle type equipment, in the virtual space picture, made introduction on directing a robot to separate the trash. When it made a mistake, a correct answer would be given verbally, the robot could behave correctly gradually.

 It was said that it was possible for this virtual space system to work on a human brain; it also could advance the study on personal rehabilitation usage.

 At the young researcher announcement corner, by ten cases ten people within the time limit of 7 and a half minutes of allotted time announced in total 100 research papers.

 Among them, for the researcher of sound distinction, the technology which could pick out a specific sound among the various sounds had been developed. At the meeting venue, after playing the first music, the sound part and the musical instrument part were separated and introduced. When this technology was developed, a person's voice would be singled out correctly. And it was said that they could be utilized for automatic translation, and for sound operation in car navigation.

 Associate Yamaji Kazutsuna the executive chairperson was saying that "I'd like to make sure that the study results can be used by the society".

It is interesting to note that IT technology in sound recognition is developing fast.

高齢者年輕5-10歲！老人的定義有必要修改？

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

高齢者、５～１０歳若いゾ！定義の変更必要？

2015年06月13日 00時18分

　日本老年学会は１２日、６５歳以上の高齢者の身体、知的機能や健康状態についての分析結果を発表した。

　最新の科学データを総合すると、「現在の高齢者は１０～２０年前に比べて、５～１０歳は若返っていると想定される」と評価。高齢者の健康状態は個人差が大きいが、「高齢者が就労やボランティア活動などに参加できる社会を創ることが今後の超高齢社会を活力あるものにするために大切だ」との声明を出した。

　知的機能については、日本大の内藤佳津雄教授（心理学）らが、国立長寿医療研究センター（愛知県大府市）が大府市の４０歳以上の住民約２３００人に実施してきた知能検査のデータを分析。認知症がなく、健康状態の良い高齢者の集団では、ほとんどの検査項目で６０～７０歳代の成績が向上し、２０１０年の７０歳代は１０年前の１０歳程度若い人たちと同等の成績だった。

病気にかかる割合については、東京大の秋下雅弘教授（老年医学）が全国の６５～７９歳の高齢者が１９９６～２０１１年に医療機関で治療を受けた割合を分析。７５～７９歳の女性では脳卒中で治療を受けた割合が３分の１近くになるなど、脳卒中、心筋梗塞、骨粗しょう症で大きく減っていた。この他にもアルツハイマー病を除く、ほぼ全ての病気で低下傾向にあり、これに伴い、要介護認定率もほぼ全ての年代で低下した。秋下教授は、定期的な運動など生活習慣が改善したのが原因ではないかと指摘。６５～７９歳の高齢者の健康状態は５～１０歳程度改善している可能性があるとした。

　身体機能では、桜美林大の鈴木隆雄教授（同）が、１９９２年と２００２年に秋田県で実施された高齢者の調査のデータを比較、歩く速さや握力、片足立ちの時間などが各年代で向上していたことを報告した。この地域では、その後の調査でも身体機能が改善しているデータも出ているという。

　同学会では、今後、これらのデータを基に、現在６５歳以上とされている高齢者の定義を変更する必要があるかどうかも検討する。

(試譯文)

 On the 12^th (June), the Association of Gerontology in Japan announced the result of an analysis on body health and intellectual function of those senior citizens aged over 65.

 After the latest scientific data were synthesized, "the present senior citizens compared with those10-20 years ago were 5-10 years younger ". Regarding the health condition of senior citizens, individual’s variation was huge. A statement was issued saying that “it's important to create a society that senior citizens can participate by starting to work and doing volunteer activities, making the future's super-old society vigorous”.  

 About the intellectual function, (Psychology) professor Katsuo Naito and others from the Nihon University analyzed data of an intelligence test done by the National Institute for Longevity Sciences (Obu city, Aichi) carried out on about 2,300 residents aged over 40 in Obu city. With the exception of dementia, for those senior citizens in the good health group, in most of the inspection items, for the 60-70 years-old generation there was an improvement. For those in the seventies in the year 2010, the result was an equivalent to 10 years younger compared to those in the seventies 10 years ago.

 On the percentage of those getting ill, Prof. Akishita Masahiro (Geriatric medicine) of the University of Tokyo analyzed 65-79-year-old senior citizens in the whole country who had received medical treatment from a medical agency in 1996-2011. For 75-79-year-old female nearly 1/3 had a medical treatment for apoplexy; meanwhile there was a big decrease in apoplexy, myocardial infarction and osteoporosis. For other diseases with the exception of Alzheimer's disease, there was a tendency for the sickness to decrease. Accompanying with that, the rate in issuing out long-term care certificate had also decreased. Professor Akishita pointed out that probably it was due to the periodic movements, and the improvements in one’s living habit. He assumed that a 5 to10-year health situation improvement was possible for 65-79-year-old senior citizens.

 Prof. Takao Suzuki of Obirin University (same field) compared data obtained from an investigation conducted on senior citizens in Akita-ken in 1992 and 2002 regarding body functioning. It was reported that the walking speed, the griping power, and the time standing on one leg had improved. It was said that in this area in subsequent investigations, the data showing improvements in body functioning had come out.

 At the same academic meeting it was said that, based on these data, from now on it would be necessary to consider whether to change the present definition in saying those over 65 years old were senior citizens.

It is interesting to note that, compared with a few decades ago, people aged over 65 now are in better shape in health.

中國、計劃大型基地“對應尖閣”

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

中国、「対尖閣」で大型基地を計画

2015年06月13日 07時14分

　【上海＝鈴木隆弘】東シナ海や南シナ海などで監視活動を行う中国海警局が、中国沿岸部の浙江省温州市の海岸に、大型基地を建設する計画を進めていることが明らかになった。

　沖縄県・尖閣諸島周辺に派遣している公船の停泊や補修点検、乗員の訓練が目的とみられる。日中間では民間交流再開など緊張緩和が進んでいるが、習近平(シージンピン)政権は東シナ海での主権の主張は譲らず、公船の派遣を継続、強化する構えだ。

　今月初め、温州市が中国海警局など関係部門と開いた基地建設に関する会議の内容が、浙江省のホームページに掲載された。それによると、計画中の「温州指揮総合保障基地」は敷地面積５０万平方メートル、岸壁の長さ１２００メートルで、排水量１万トン級までの大型船など最大６隻の艦船の停泊を可能とし、飛行機やヘリコプターの格納庫、大型の訓練施設も建設する。総工費は３３億４０００万元（約６７０億円）で、中央政府が全額負担する。

(試譯文)

  It became clear that the China Maritime Police Bureau, which performed monitoring activities at the East China Sea and South China Sea, was advancing a plan to construct a large base at China’s coast region in the coastal city of Wenzhou in Zhejiang province.

  Official ships judged to be dispatched around Senkaku Islands and the Okinawa prefecture would be anchored here for the purpose of repairing, checking and crew training. Although tensions had eased with the resumption of private exchange developing between China and Japan, the Xi Jiping administration was holding a stance of no back down in his insistence over the sovereignty right at the East China Sea, and continued to dispatch official ships to strengthen the stance.

  In a China Maritime Police Bureau meeting held in earlier this month in Wenzhou city, the contents related to the construction of a base appeared in the home page of Zhejiang Province. According to that, the planned "Wenzhou overall security commanding base" had an area of 500,000 square meters in lot area; the length of the quay would be 1200 meters. It was possible to anchor up to 6 large ships each with a displacement 10,000 ton. The construction of a hangar for airplanes, helicopters and large training facilities were also being planned. The total cost of construction was 3,340 million yuan (about 67,000 million yen), and the central government would pay for the expenses.

It seems that China is making the necessary long term preparations for its advance into the South China Sea.

“清酒”定義明確化，只有用國産米在國內製造者

Recently the Yomiuri News on-line reported the following:

「日本酒」定義明確化、国産米使い国内製造のみ

2015年06月11日 20時42分

　国税庁は、国産のコメを原料に国内で製造された清酒だけを「日本酒」として販売できるよう酒類業組合法のルールを改正する。

　自民党の財務金融部会などの合同会議に１１日に提示した。政府のクールジャパン戦略の一環として、海外で人気がある日本酒のブランド力を高め、輸出を後押しする狙いがある。

　年内にも、世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）協定に基づき、産地名を商品名に使用する「地理的表示制度」を適用する。新たな条件を満たさずに日本酒の販売が行われた場合は、取り締まったり、他国に取り締まりを要請したりできるようになる。日本酒の定義が明確になれば、品質などが保証された特産品と見なされ、ブランド価値の向上が期待できる。

　国税庁によると、これまでは国内で造られている清酒は、原料や製造地を問わず、すべて「日本酒」として販売できた。ただ、日本酒人気の高まりを受け、今後は、海外産の米を使った清酒の生産が活発になる可能性があるという。

(試譯文)

 The National Tax Administration Agency revised the rules governing the liquor business association in order that only those sake produced within the country and made from domestic rice could be sold as "sake".

 This was indicated in a joint financial session of the LDP monetary sub-committee etc. held on the 11^th (June). It was part of the cool Japan strategy of the government. It raised the brand name power of sake which was popular and there was also the aim to support its export.

 Within this year, it would be applicable to the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement which used the "Geographical certification marking system" based on the production location and brand name. In case sake was sold without meeting the new conditions, the government would crack it down or to request another country to crack it down. When the definition of sake became clear, sake would be seen as a local specialty that had guaranteed quality. Improvements in the brand value could be expected.

 Up to now according to the National Tax Administration Agency, all sake made in country could be sold as "sake" regardless of the raw material used and the manufacturing location. As the popularity of sake was increasing, it was said that there would be a possibility that the production of sake using overseas rice might become active from now on.

Sometimes I enjoy sake; this new rule would help ensure its quality.

台灣部署兩艘最大級別巡邏船

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

台湾 最大級の巡視船２隻を配備

6月6日 20時39分

台湾はこれまでで最大級の巡視船２隻を新たに配備して、馬英九総統が演習を視察し、領有権を巡って対立が続く南シナ海の問題などを念頭に、権益の確保に力を入れる姿勢を強調するねらいがあるとみられます。

台湾が新たに配備したのは海上警備当局の「海岸巡防署」に所属する総トン数３７００トン余りの巡視船２隻で、これまでで最大級です。
６日、南部の高雄の港で行われた就役式には馬英九総統が出席し、「海岸の巡視や漁民の保護に重大な意義がある」と述べ、大型の巡視船を配備した重要性を強調しました。
このあと、馬総統は新しい巡視船に乗って海上から演習の様子を視察しました。
演習は台湾の漁船が乗っ取られたという想定で行われ、漁船に見立てた巡視船からヘリコプターで乗組員を救助する動作を確認していました。
２隻は２０ミリと４０ミリの機関砲やヘリコプターが発着できる甲板を備えていて、周辺の海域で違法行為の取締りや救難活動などにも当たります。
台湾は対立が続く南シナ海の島々のほか、沖縄県の尖閣諸島についても領有権を主張していて、馬総統としては、こうしたことを念頭に海洋での権益の確保に力を入れる姿勢を強調するねらいがあるとみられます。

(試譯文)

Taiwan had newly deployed two patrol boats which were the largest up to now; president Ma Yingjiu inspected the training, and it could be thought that what was in mind was the aim to put effort to maintain the posture of securing the interest regarding the troubles in the South China Sea where confrontation was continuing over sovereign rights.

The two newly deployed patrol boats would be the biggest in Taiwan up to now, with a gross tonnage of about 3,700 tons that belonged to the"Coastal Patrol Department" of the Maritime Police authority.

On the 6^th (June) president Ma Yingjiu attended the commissioning ceremony held at Gaoxiong harbor in the south. He stated that "it has significance important for seashore inspection and fisherman protection" and stressed the importance in deploying large patrol boats.

After this, president Ma Yingjiu boarded a new patrol boat and inspected a drill from the sea.

Regarding the drill, a Taiwanese fishing boat was assumed to have been taken over. From a patrol boat which was likened to be the fishing boat, an operation in which crews from the boat were rescued by helicopter was inspected.

For the two boats, at the deck 20 millimeters and 40 millimeters machine guns were equipped; also helicopters could depart and arrive. It would be used to prevent law breaking activities and to carry out rescue missions at the surrounding sea area.

For Taiwan, in addition to islands in the South China Sea where confrontation was continuing, it also insisted on sovereignty rights over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa prefecture. It could be thought that President Ma had in mind the aim to stress a posture in putting an emphasis on securing the interest at the ocean.

  It seems that Taiwan is keen to protect its territorial security by building bigger patrol boats.