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.

自殺率秋田領先，28年首次全國最嚴重的縣

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

自殺率、秋田を抜き２８年ぶり全国ワーストの県

2015年06月06日 08時40分

　厚生労働省が５日公表した２０１４年の人口動態統計月報年計（概数）によると、人口１０万人当たりの自殺者数を示す「自殺率」は、岩手県は前年より０・２ポイント高い２６・６で、１９８６年以来２８年ぶりの全国ワーストとなった。

　脳血管疾患による死亡率も１６２・３で、全国ワーストだった。

　１４年の自殺者数は３４１人で、前年より１人増えた。前年に自殺率ワーストだった秋田県が２６・０となり、２位だった岩手県と入れ替わった。岩手県は自殺予防相談員の養成などに力を入れ、ここ１０年間は自殺者数が減少傾向にあった。県障がい保健福祉課は「残念な結果。自殺が多い年代になどし、対策を取りたい」と話した。

　１人の女性が一生で出産する子供の推計人数を表した合計特殊出生率は、前年より０・０２ポイント低い１・４４で、全国平均（１・４２）をわずかに上回った。

(試譯文)

According to a demographic monthly statistics report published on the 5^th (June) by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, regarding the yearly (rounded) "suicide rate", the number of suicide per population of 100,000 people in 2014 for Iwate prefecture was 0.2 points higher than last year to become 26.6, and was the worst in 28 years in the whole country since 1986.

  The rate of death due to cerebro-vascular disease was 162.3 and was the worst in the whole country.

  The number of suicide in 2014 was 341 people, increased by 1 person compared with last year. Akita prefecture which had the worst suicide rate last year was 26.0, giving way to Iwate prefecture to become the second. Iwate prefecture put the emphasis on the training of suicide prevention advisors, and the number of suicides tended to decrease in the past 10 years. The prefecture Health and Welfare department for disability said that “it is a regrettable result. During a time of many suicides etc., I would like to take some measures".

  The total fertility rate, which was used to express the estimated number of people based on the number of children that a female would give birth to during her life time, was 0.2 point lower than last year to become 1.44, slightly above the national average (1.42).

It seems that both Iwate prefecture and Akita prefecture have a higher suicide rate in Japan.

強行改變領土，日本烏克蘭首脳一致不承認......

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

力で領土変更、認めず…日ウクライナ首脳一致

2015年06月06日 22時15分

　【キエフ＝中島健太郎、田村雄】安倍首相は６日午前（日本時間６日夕）、ウクライナの首都キエフの大統領府で、ポロシェンコ大統領と会談した。

　両首脳は、ロシアが昨年３月にウクライナ南部のクリミア半島を編入したことについて、力による現状変更を認めない考えで一致した。平和的な手段で問題解決を目指すことも確認した。

　日本の首相によるウクライナ訪問は初めて。首相は会談で、「日本は力による現状変更を決して認めない。日本は一貫してウクライナ領土の一体性を尊重している」と強調した。すべての当事者が２月の停戦合意を順守する必要性も指摘した。

　首相がＧ７（先進７か国）と連携し、ウクライナ支援を続ける方針を表明したのに対し、ポロシェンコ氏は謝意を示した。首相はこの日の会談で意見交換した内容を踏まえ、７日にドイツのエルマウで開幕するＧ７首脳会議（サミット）で、ウクライナ問題を議論する考えを示した。

　ウクライナでの紛争解決に向けた日本の役割について、首相は「Ｇ７の連帯を重視している。ロシアへの制裁を維持し、『対話と圧力』を通じて、ロシアが建設的な役割を果たすよう働きかけている」と述べた。ポロシェンコ氏は「Ｇ７サミット前の会談で、連携の状況を確認できたことは重要な意味がある」と評価した。

(試譯文)

In the morning on the 6^th (June) (Japan time evening on the 6^th) Prime Minister Abe talked with President Poroshenko at the presidential palace in metropolitan Kiev of Ukraine.

 About Russia's annexation of the southern part of Ukraine in Crimea Peninsula in March last year, both leaders agreed on the idea that they did not recognize changing the status quo by force. The aim in solving the problem by peaceful means was also confirmed.

 It was the first time for a Japanese prime minister to visit Ukraine. The prime minister in the meeting accentuated that "Japan never admits any changes to the status quo by force. Japan is consistent in respecting the integrity of Ukraine’s territory". It was also pointed out that all the people concerned needed to obey the ceasefire agreement of February.

 Mr. Poroshenko showed his gratitude towards the prime minister as the latter expressed a policy that would cooperate with the G7 (Group of 7) to continue supporting the Ukrainian. The prime minister indicated the idea that he would discuss the Ukraine problem in the G7 summit meeting (the Summit) due to begin in Ellmau of German on the 7^th, based on the contents of the views exchanged in the meeting on this day.

 About Japan’s role in resolving the Ukraine conflict, the prime minister stated that "the solidarity of G7 was emphasized. Sanction on Russia would be maintained, and would 'through dialogue and pressure' appeal to Russia to play a constructive role". Mr. Poroshenko estimated that "before the G7 Summit, to have a meeting that can confirm the situation of cooperation has important meanings".

So Japan is helping to solve the Ukraine conflict as a member of the G7.

文科省：改革“可使用英語”......中學3年引入全國檢測試

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

文科省：「使える英語」へ改革…中３に全国テスト導入へ

毎日新聞　2015年06月05日　23時35分

　文部科学省は５日、全国の中学３年生全員を対象に「読む」「書く」「聞く」「話す」の４技能をみる英語の新テストを導入すると発表した。２０１９年度実施を目指す。毎年４月の小中学生の全国学力テスト（国語と数学・算数）と同様、その結果を授業改善に生かし、「使える英語」の能力育成につなげるのが狙いだ。現場の英語担当教員からは「４技能を重視する方向性は良い」と評価する声が上がる一方、「過度な競争を生まないか」との懸念も聞かれた。【大久保昂、菅野蘭、三木陽介】

　英語の新テストは、同日公表された中高生の「英語力向上推進プラン」の柱。推進プランによると、新テストは複数年に１回実施予定。

　難易度をどうするかなど詳細は今後、専門家会議で検討する。今年度中に中学３年生約６万人を抽出して事前テストを行い、その結果も参考にする。

　このほか各都道府県に、教員や生徒の英語力の数値目標や教員の研修計画などを盛り込んだ「改善プラン」を今年度内に作ってもらい、その達成状況の公表を求める。

　高校３年生を対象に文科省が昨年初めて実施した英語力調査で、４技能の結果はいずれも「中学レベル」と低調だった。下村博文文科相はプランの意図について「英語教育の抜本的な改革に取り組む」と強調する。

　英語教員の反応はさまざまだ。大阪府の公立中学の２０代男性教員は「４技能をバランスよく伸ばそうという方向性は間違っていない」と語る。ただ、新テストに関しては「点数の低い地域にとっては、全国学力テストに加え、さらに負のレッテルを張る機会を増やすだけだろう。子どもたちが『やっぱりあかんかった』と傷ついてしまう恐れがある」と批判的だ。

　一方、宮崎県の中学教員（４６）は「テストがあれば生徒の英語力を客観的に把握でき、授業改善に生かせる。４技能を意識した授業が大切になる」と前向きに捉えた。

　４技能のうち「話す」の採点は対面式が不可欠で、教員が担うことになりそう。埼玉県の公立中学の４０代女性教員は「時間や労力を考えると、やりたいと思う先生はいないのではないか」と困惑していた。

(試譯文)

  On the 5^th (June), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced that, targeting at all members of the 3rd grader of junior high school in the whole country, a new English examination to judge on the 4 skills of "speaking", "reading", "writing" and "hearing" would be introduced. The aim was to implement it in fiscal year 2019. It was the same as the achievement test (Japanese, mathematics and arithmetic) for elementary and junior high school students held in April every year in the whole country. The aim was to utilize the result for class improvement and to link it to the nurturing of "English using ability ". From English teachers in the field, while voices kept rising saying "the direction which emphasizes the 4 skills is good", yet anxiety was also heard: "don't you create excessive competition?"

  This English new examination would be the pillar of the "English ability improvement promotion plan" aimed at the junior and senior high school students, announced on the same day. According to a promotion plan, expectation was to put the new examination into effect once every several years.

  About the degree of difficulty, details would be considered by an ad hoc meeting from now on. About 60,000 people of the 3rd grader of junior high school would be picked to do a test beforehand during this fiscal year and the result would be referred to.

  Additionally, for urban and rural prefectures, an "Improvement plan" was incorporated which targeted at getting numerical tables, which indicated the English proficiency of teachers and students on top of teacher's training. It would be done in this fiscal year and the publication of its progress would be demanded.

 About the English ability investigation, which the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology put into effect for the first time last year targeting at the 3rd grader of high school, the results of all the 4 skills at "the junior high school level" were low. On the aim of the plan, Shitamura Hirofumi the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology stressed that "it works on a radical reform in English education".

  The reactions of English teachers were varied. A male teacher in his twenties from a public junior high school in Osaka prefecture explained that "there is nothing wrong in the direction to have a balanced extension to the 4 skills". But regarding the new examination, he criticized that "for the low scoring area, it will only further increase the opportunity to put a negative label on them by adding the whole country achievement test. To the children, damages due to ‘Yappari akan katta’ were feared".

  On the other hand, a junior high school teacher in Miyazaki-ken (46) took it positively because "when there is a test, the English proficiency of students can be grasped objectively, and it can be utilized for class improvement. Teaching conscious of the 4 skills becomes important".

  Among the 4 skills, a meeting system would be indispensable in getting marks on "speaking" and it seemed that teachers would be needed to carry it out. A schoolmistress in her forties from a public junior high school in Saitama prefecture perplexed that "when considered the time and effort, may be no teacher would like to do it".

I think Japan is taking serious steps in improving the English ability of the students.

向批評當局的中国新聞紙施壓? 編輯幹部停職，分局關閉

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

当局批判の中国紙に圧力か　編集幹部が停職、支局も閉鎖

広州＝延与光貞

2015年5月25日23時30分

　大手企業や地方政府への批判で知られる中国・湖北省の新聞「長江商報」が、地元当局から「指導」を受け、編集幹部が停職処分になったことが分かった。関係者が朝日新聞に明かしたほか、香港メディアなどが報じた。当局批判を強める改革派メディアへの圧力との見方も出ている。

　関係者によると、同省の党宣伝部などが同紙の指導に入ったのは今月中旬。四川省南充市の共産党組織内の選挙汚職、福建省の化学工場爆発事故の環境への影響、貴州省の国有企業の不正など最近の七つの報道を挙げ、「事実と違う」「マイナス面ばかり報じている」と批判した。

　編集幹部が停職処分を受けたほか、「省外での取材は許されない」として、同紙が省外に設けていた支局の閉鎖を命令。記者数人が退職することになった。評論の掲載も禁じられているという。関係者の一人は取材に、「ニュースにあるのは事実か事実でないかだけだ。当局の論理は間違っている」と話した。

　長江商報は２００６年に創刊。調査報道で知られた著名記者らも参加し、昨年１２月から週１回、全国のニュースを独自の視点で報じて評判を集めていた。（広州＝延与光貞）

(試譯文)

It was made clear that the "Chang Jiang Commercial Daily", a newspaper in China known for its criticism towards major companies and the local government, had received guidance from the local authority, with its editing executive suspended. According to the people concerned, apart from disclosing to the Asahi Shimbun, it also told the Hong Kong media. Views had come out that it was putting pressure on the reform factions in the media that strongly criticized the authority.

  According to the person concerned, it was at the middle of this month (May) that the Party Propaganda Department gave guidance to the said paper. Seven recent reports covered by the paper were mentioned and criticized as "different from the facts", "only the negative aspect is being reported": election corruption in the Communist party organization in Nanchong city in Szechwan province, influence to the environment caused by the chemical factory explosion accident in Fujian province, and the injustice of a state-owned enterprise in Guizhou province.

  On top of a suspension punishment for the editing executive, supposedly all "coverage outside the province is not permitted": branch office of the said paper established outside the province was ordered to close. Several reporters were going to retire. It was said that the paper was forbidden to carry criticism. One concerned person in response to our coverage said that "what is news is merely about whether it is a fact or not. The logic of the authority is wrong".

  Chang Jiang Commercial Daily started publication in 2006. It was well known for its investigative reporting and that famous reporters had participated. From December last year once a week, it reported news collected from the whole country and made comments, using an independent viewpoint.

It is not surprising to note that China is trying to control the mass media.