中国人民銀行由２２日開始調低利率

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

中国人民銀行 ２２日から金利引き下げ

11月21日 21時35分

中国の中央銀行「中国人民銀行」は、２２日から金融機関の貸し出しと預金の基準金利をそれぞれおよそ２年４か月ぶりに引き下げると発表し、中国経済が減速するなか、景気を下支えするねらいがあるとみられます。

「中国人民銀行」の発表によりますと、２２日から金融機関が企業に資金を貸し出す際の基準金利を、今の年６％から０．４％引き下げて年５．６％に、預金の基準金利を今の年３％から０．２５％引き下げて年２．７５％とします。
中国が金利を引き下げるのは、おととし７月以来、およそ２年４か月ぶりです。
中国は不動産投資の伸び悩みなどを背景に、ことし７月から９月までのＧＤＰ＝国内総生産の伸び率が、去年の同じ時期に比べて７．３％のプラスと５年半ぶりの低い水準となったほか、このところ消費や生産などの動きが弱くなっていることを示す経済指標が相次いで発表されています。
中国政府としては、政策金利の引き下げに踏み切ることで中小企業などへの貸し出しを促し、減速傾向が続く中国経済を下支えするねらいがあるとみられます。

(試譯文)

China’s central bank the "People's Bank of China" announced that from the 22nd (November) it would reduce respectively the lending rate of financial institutions and the basic deposit rate, after approximately 2 years and 4 months. It could be thought of having the aim to prop the economy amidst a slowing down Chinese economy.

According to an announcement of the "People's Bank of China", from the 22nd when a financial institution lent out funds to an enterprise, the basic money rate would be reduced by 0.4 % from the present 6 % of year to 5.6 %, depositor's basic yearly money rate would be reduced by 0.25 % from the present 3 % of year to become 2.75 % a year.

It was since July two years ago, approximately 2 years and 4 months, for China to lower its interest rates.

Against the background of a sluggish growth in the real estate investment, the rate of GDP= Gross Domestic Product this year from July to September, compared with the same time last year was a plus 7.3%, that was a low standard in 5 years six months. On top of that other economic indicators successively showed that the movement in both consumption and production was weakening recently.

Supposedly it could be considered that, for the Chinese government, the aim of the rate reduction policy was to promote lending toward small and medium enterprises; and, with the continuing slowing down tendency, to support the Chinese economy.

   I am interested to know the financial implications of China’s rate reduction policy.

日本麒麟２公升飲料瓶業界最軽、２８．９克

Earlier this month the Asahi News on-line reported the following:

２Ｌ用飲料ボトルが２８．９ｇ　キリン、業界最軽量

下山祐治

2014年12月6日09時02分

　飲料各社がペットボトルや、ビール瓶の軽さを競っている。つくる費用と運ぶ費用を減らせ、その過程で出る二酸化炭素（ＣＯ２）の量も削減できるからだ。キリンは来春、業界で最も軽い新型ペットボトルを投入する。

　戦いの場は、水のペットボトルだ。薄いボトルの強さを保っているのは、胴回りにつけた溝。この溝が重さを受け止める。どういう溝を描くかが、ポイントになる。

　キリンが「アルカリイオンの水」に、来年３月から使う新型ペットボトル（２リットル）は、厚さを２割強薄くする一方で、溝の数を１２から１６に。一部は地面と平行ではなく、斜めにした。

　強さはそのままに、重さは２割軽い２８・９グラム。サントリーの同じサイズより０・９グラム軽く「最軽量」の座を２年ぶりに取り戻す。

　費用は年に１億円前後浮く。工場に投じる４億円は数年で回収できそうだ。消費者にとっても「持ち運びやすいし、ぞうきんのように小さくしぼることができ、捨てやすい」（同社技術部の西島孝紀主任）とアピールする。

　サントリーも「天然水」で軽くする研究は続けている。５００～６００ミリリットル向けは、国内で最も軽い１１・３グラムだ。

　水は、お茶や果汁飲料と違ってペットボトルの中身が酸化して品質が損なわれる恐れがなく、軽量化に取り組みやすい。各社とも、水用を中心に軽量化に取り組んでいる。

　ビールの容器では、業務用に使われることが多い瓶が軽量化の「主戦場」だ。

　キリンは１１月、国内で最も軽い中瓶を九州で導入した。胴回りを０・８ミリ薄くする一方、強度を保つためセラミックスを塗布。これで９０グラム軽い３８０グラムを実現した。２０１５年秋には全国に広げる計画だ。持ち運びの負担が減ることで「居酒屋などに営業攻勢をかけやすくなる」（広報）。

　アサヒ、サントリー、サッポロは以前から瓶を共同で使っている。１０月、これまでより１０グラム軽い４６０グラムの中瓶を導入した。（下山祐治）

(試譯文)

All drinking companies were competing for lightness in their plastic bottles and beer bottles. It was because the making cost and carrying cost could be reduced, and the amount of the carbon dioxide (CO2) which went out during their processing could also be reduced. Kirin would throw in the lightest new-style plastic bottle into the industry next spring.

  The battle ground was centering on plastic bottles that held water. What kept the strength of the light-weight bottle were the ditches added to the waist. The ditches absorbed the weight. The point was how to draw the ditches.

Kirin from March next year would use a new-style plastic bottle for its "alkali ion water" (2 liters). While the thickness was more than 20 percent thinner, the number of ditches would range from 12 to 16. Part of them was not parallel to the ground but slanting.

The strength was not changed; the weight was 20 percent lighter at 28.9 grams. It was 0.9 grams lighter then Suntory’s same size bottle and thus could reclaim the seat of "ultra-light" after more than two years.

  About 100 million yen a year expenses were saved. It seemed that they were able to, in several years, receive back the 400 million yen thrown into the factory. (Nishijima Takatoshi, chairman of the said company’s technical development department) appealed that “the bottle can be carried around easily and be squeezed to make smaller like a dust-cloth, and could be easily thrown away”.

  Suntory also continued with its research work to make lighter its "natural water". In the country they were the lightest: 11.3 grams for 500-600 ml.

  Water was different from green tea or fruit juice drinks. There was no fear that the contents in the plastic bottle would be oxidized and the quality damaged; it was easy to work on in weight-saving. All companies were working on weight-saving for water.

  The container for beer, as a frequently used business bottle, had become the "main battlefield" for weight-saving.

  Kirin introduced the lightest middle-sized bottle at Kyushu in November in the country. The waistline was made thin by 8 millimeters and ceramics were applied to keep the strength. In this way it was 90 grams lighter, reaching 380 grams.There was a plan to expand it into the whole country in autumn 2015. As the weight of carrying it would become less, “a business campaign that takes aim at a pub is easy” (public relations advertisement).

  Previously, Morning Sun, Suntory and Sapporo Breweries all used a common bottle jointly. In October the 460 grams middle-sized bottle which was 10 grams lighter then before was introduced.

It seems that the new bottles are more environmentally friendly and could increase the profit of the companies.

中國形像悪化、日本是美國主要「夥伴」

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

対中イメージ悪化か、米「パートナー」日本首位

2014年11月07日 20時35分

　外務省は７日、米国で今年実施した対日世論調査の結果を発表した。

　一般の米国民に「アジアで最も重要なパートナー」を聞いたところ、日本を挙げた人は４６％で、中国を挙げた人の２６％を上回り、２年ぶりに首位となった。有識者のみを対象にした調査でも、日本を選んだ人は５８％に上り、中国の２４％を抑えて５年ぶりにトップとなった。

　中国が昨年以降、東・南シナ海などで挑発的な海洋進出を続けていることなどが、米国での対中イメージに影響したとみられる。

　「日米両国がアジア太平洋の平和と安全のために緊密に協力すべきか」という質問に対しては、一般国民の９１％、有識者の９７％が協力すべきだと答えた。

(試譯文)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 7th (November) the result of an opinion poll conducted in USA this year regarding Japan.

  When the average American citizen was asked about "the most important partner in Asia", 46% of the people mentioned Japan, exceeded the 26% who mentioned China; and Japan was at the top after two years. When the investigation was made only on people who were knowledgeable on the subject, those who chose Japan went up to 58%, which was at the top after 5 years, exceeded the 24% choosing the Chinese.

The fact that China continued with its provocative advance into the East and the South China Sea since last year was thought to have an influence on China’s impression in the USA.

On the question "Should both Japan and United States cooperate closely at the Asia Pacific Ocean for peace and safe purpose?” 91% of the average people replied that they should cooperate, and it was 97% among people who were knowledgeable.

It is an interesting opinion survey.

美國運輸部命令回收「高田」汽車氣袋

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

米運輸省 タカタのエアバッグでリコール命令

11月27日 7時13分

アメリカ運輸省の道路交通安全局は、日本の自動車部品メーカー「タカタ」が製造したエアバッグの不具合が確認された車を全米でリコールするようタカタのほか、ホンダなど自動車メーカー５社に対して命令しました。

日本の部品自動車メーカー「タカタ」が製造したエアバッグを巡っては、気温や湿度の高い地域で作動した場合、金属片が飛び散って乗っている人がけがをするおそれがあるとして、アメリカの南部を中心におよそ８００万台がリコールされています。
アメリカ運輸省の道路交通安全局は２６日、最近の事故を調査した結果、こうした地域以外でも事故が起きており、メーカー側からエアバッグの安全性を確認できる情報も示されていないとして、「タカタ」のほか、自動車メーカーのホンダ、マツダ、フォード、クライスラー、それにＢＭＷの５社に対して、来月２日までに全米でリコールするよう命じました。
道路交通安全局は、リコールに応じない場合、来月３日以降、制裁金を課すとしていますが、これまでメーカー側は根拠が乏しいとして、リコールの実施を拒否する姿勢を示してきました。
リコールを実施した場合、リコールの範囲は同じエアバッグを搭載した車を販売した日本など世界各国に広がることも予想され、メーカー側の対応が注目されます。

(試譯文)

The Road Traffic Safety Bureau of America’s Ministry of Transport confirmed defects in the air bags produced by a Japanese auto-parts manufacturer "Takata", and ordered a recall to check all America cars; in addition to Takata were the Honda etc. other five automobile manufacturing companies.

Centering on the air bags produced by "Takata", a Japanese automobile-parts producing company, in the area with the high temperature and humidity some metal fragments could fly out during an air bag’s operation. Supposedly there was a fear that people may get injured. Centering on the American south approximately 8,000,000 cars would be recalled.

On the 26^th (November) the American Ministry of Transport’s Road Traffic Safety Bureau, noting the recent accident investigation results, had seen accidents also occurred outside the mentioned areas. Because from the manufacturer’s side, there was no information to suggest positively the safety of these air bags, the Bureau ordered a recall by the second of next month. In addition to "Takata" were five other America automobile companies: Honda, Mazda, Ford, Chrysler and BMW.

It was supposed that if the Road Traffic Safety Bureau’s recall was not met, from the 3rd of next month onward, sanction payment would be imposed. Supposedly up to now the manufacturer side thought that there was a lack in evidence and showed a posture of refusing to implement a recall.

If the recall was implemented, the recall area would cover Japanese cars and other cars equipped with similar air bags. It was expected that this incident would spread out to many other countries and the response from the manufacturers was being watched.

   Now I know that air bags produced by the Japanese auto-parts manufacturer "Takata" are popular world wide.

京都大學用人類ｉＰＳ細胞膜改善老鼠心機功能

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

ｉＰＳ:心機能改善　京大、ラットにヒト細胞シート

毎日新聞　2014年10月22日　22時15分（最終更新　10月22日　22時47分）

　京都大ｉＰＳ細胞研究所の山下潤教授は２２日、心筋や血管の細胞がシート状に並んだ「心臓組織シート」をヒトｉＰＳ細胞から作り、心筋梗塞（こうそく）状態にしたラットの心臓に移植して心機能を改善させることに成功したと発表した。研究が進めば、重い心臓病の有望な治療法となる可能性がある。オンライン科学誌サイエンティフィック・リポーツに同日、掲載された。

　重症の心筋症患者の心臓は筋肉細胞が失われ、心臓の機能が低下している。根本的な治療は心臓移植しかなく、ｉＰＳ細胞などから心筋を作って移植する再生医療への期待が高まっている。これまでバラバラの細胞を心臓に直接注入して移植する方法などが試みられたが、定着率が低いことが課題だった。

　研究グループはヒトｉＰＳ細胞を変化させ、心筋細胞（約７２％）と血管内皮細胞（約６％）、血管壁細胞（約２０％）からなる細胞シートの作製に成功した。グループによると、心筋細胞だけではなく、血管の細胞もｉＰＳ細胞から作製し、シート状に形成したのは初めてという。

　人工的に心筋梗塞の状態にしたラットの心臓にこのシートを３枚重ねて張り付けると、１カ月後に心機能は約１．６倍に改善。移植部分に血管が新たに作られ、移植した心筋細胞が多く残っていたという。

　人への応用には、豚やサルで有効性や安全性を確認する必要がある。大阪大のグループも既に、ｉＰＳ細胞を使って別の方法で心筋シートを作り、心臓病治療につなげる研究を進めている。山下教授は「（阪大などの方法の）次の世代の治療法として応用できるのではないか」と話している。【根本毅】

(試譯文)

On the 22nd (October) professor Yamashita Jun of the Kyoto University iPS Cells Research Center announced that he had succeeded, using cells from human iPS cells, in transplanting the cells of the heart muscle and blood vessels that were lined up in a sheet, the "cardiac tissue sheet", into the heart of a rat which had myocardial infarction (infarct), and making improve in its cardiac function. As this study was developed, there was a possibility that serious heart disease could have a hope for cure. On the same day, this announcement appeared in the on-line science magazine: the Scientific Reports.

   In a patient with serious myocardial infarction, the muscle cells in the heart were lost, and the function of the heart decreased. There was an increasing expectation on the regenerative medicine of transplanting myocardium made from iPS cells, without doing the fundamental treatment of a heart-transplant. Up to now a transplant by directly injecting loose cells into a heart was tried, but the problem was that its fixing rate was low.

   A study group, by causing changes in the human iPS cells, had succeeded in producing a cell-sheet which consisted of myocardial cells (about 72 %), vascular endothelial cells (about 6 %) and blood vessel parietal cells (about 20 %). According to the group, it was the first time not only myocardial cells, but also blood vessel cells were made from iPS cells and formed into a sheet.

   When three such sheets were overlapped and attached to the heart of a rat which was in a state of myocardial infarction that was induced artificially, the cardiac function improved by about 1.6 times one month later. In the transplanted part, new blood vessels were being made, and many transplanted cardiac muscle cells were still surviving.

   Its application on human would require safety and validity confirmation on pigs and apes. This group in Osaka University had already made myocardial sheets in a different way by using iPS cells, and the study linked to heart disease treatment was being advanced. Prof. Yamashita said that “(the way of the Osaka University) may be used as a treatment method in the next generation".

The research result on iPS cells achieved by Professor Yamashita Jun has provided new hope to patients with serious myocardial infarction.

三星收益減少６成…手機市場急変、対応困難

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

サムスン６割減益…スマホ市場急変、対応できず

2014年10月31日 07時31分

　【ソウル＝吉田敏行】韓国サムスン電子は３０日、２０１４年７～９月期連結決算の詳細を発表した。

　主力のスマートフォン事業で、中国製などの低価格品との競争が激化し、純利益は前年同期比４８・８％減の４兆２２２３億ウォン（約４３００億円）と、ほぼ半減した。

　同社は３０日の業績説明会で、スマホ市場の「急激な変化に迅速に対応できない点があった」と説明し、１０～１２月期も、業績改善は難しいとの見通しを示した。

　本業のもうけを示す営業利益も６０・１％減の４兆６０５億ウォンとなった。

　韓国の製造業ではウォン高の影響も大きかった。現代自動車は７～９月期の販売台数は微増だったが、連結営業利益は１８％減の１兆６４８７億ウォンにとどまった。

　一方、ＬＧ電子は、スマホ販売が好調で、営業利益は同１１２％増の４６１２億ウォンと大幅に増えた。

(試譯文)

On the 30^th (October), the Korean Samsung Electronics announced its July – September 2014 consolidated account.

On smart phone, as its major business, the competition with low-price items made in China was intensified. The net profit was 4,222,300,000,000 won (about 430,000,000,000 yen), being a drop of 48.8 % and reaching mostly half of the same period last year.

    In its business achievement explanatory meeting held on the 30th, the said company explained that regarding the smart-phone market "one point was that it was unable to respond to sudden changes quickly", it also indicated that the prospect in achieving improvement in October - December would be difficult.

  

    The operating profit which indicated the main business profits was 4,060,500,000,000 won, being a 60. 1 % decrease.

  The Korean industry was also affected by the strong won. For Hyundai Motors the car sale number in July -September had a minor increase, yet the consolidated operating profit had stopped by 18 % to stand at 1,648,700,000,000 won.

   On the other hand, LG Electronics’ smart-phone sale was favorable, the operating profit increased substantially to 112 % at 461,200,000,000 won.

It is interesting to note the difference in performance in smart phone sale between LG Electronics and Korean Samsung Electronics.

高倉健對文化交流有貢献,中国外交部哀悼

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

健さん、文化交流に貢献…中国外務省が哀悼の意

2014年11月20日 07時22分

　外国映画でも活躍した俳優高倉健さんの訃報は、世界各国でも大きく伝えられた。

　「中国における『男優』のスタイルを定義づけた」――。中国メディアは１９日、中国で最も知名度の高い日本人俳優の一人だった高倉さんの死去を大々的に報じた。

　高倉さんは１９７６年の出演作「君よ憤怒(ふんど)の河を渉(わた)れ」（中国作品名「追捕」）が、中国で文化大革命後に初めて公開された外国映画として爆発的にヒット。高倉さんの死を１面で報じた中国紙・北京青年報は、当時の中国人女性の間では、求める男性像について、「高倉健を探せ」との国民的議論が起きたと紹介。庶民に人気の高い中国紙・新京報も、１０ページの特集を組んで高倉さんの経歴や中国との関わりなどを詳しく報じた。

　中国外務省報道官は１８日の定例記者会見で、「中日両国の文化交流促進に重要かつ積極的な貢献を果たした」と述べ、哀悼の意を表した。中国中央テレビは同日午前、高倉さんの死去を速報したほか、夜には約３０分の特別番組を組んだ。

(試譯文)

Many countries extensively reported the death of actor Mr. Ken Takakura who also had played an active role in foreign films.

   "He had defined the style of an "actor" in China": on the 19^th (November) Chinese media extensively reported the death of Mr. Takakura who was one of the most known Japanese actors in China.

    Mr. Takakura made an appearance in 1976 in a foreign film the "Kimi yo Fundo no Kawa o Watare " (film name in Chinese "Zhuibu") which was screened for the first time in China after the Cultural Revolution and made a shocking hit. The Beijing Youth, a Chinese paper which reported Mr. Takakura's death at the front page, when introduced him said that in those days when the female were asked about finding the image of a male, all would answered "look for Ken Takakura", causing national discussions. Also the New Capital Newspaper, a Chinese paper which was very popular among the ordinary people, compiled a 10-page special report to introduce in detail Mr. Takakura's background and his relation with China.

   In a regular press conference on the 18th (November) a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs press attaché stated that "he was important in promoting cultural exchange of the two countries of China and Japan, and had achieved positive contribution" and expressed his condolences. The Chinese Central Television promptly reported in the morning on the same day about Mr. Takakura's death, and made a special program of about 30 minutes at night.

For Mr. Takakura, 1976 in China was a good timing in making his film popular. It was immediately after the Cultural Revolution when the Chinese people had been separated from the outside world for a decade. In those days Chinese people could only enjoy revolutionary films and songs for entertainment.