“風の道草”: ◎・政治・経済

Before Tanabata

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:32:03 GMT

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※- Before Tanabata, the Star Festival

”This Message from the Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.”

The price of crude oil recently topped 140 dollars a barrel, setting yet another record high.

This month, the prices for essentials, including gasoline, electricity and gas, have gone up again, one after another.

I understand that people are finding it harder and harder just to make ends meet.

What is more, the price rises are having a severe impact on industries such as fisheries, agriculture and forestry, and transport, above all on the management of small and medium enterprises and micro-enterprises.

I learned that the situation is even harder for those people living in places such as remote islands.

Next week, I will call on the leaders of other countries at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit -- and will take other opportunities to do so as well -- for international coordination to stabilize the price of crude oil, which is determined by the international market.

Meanwhile, the Government has compiled a package of financing measures for small and medium enterprises and other emergency measures as an immediate response, and has already started implementing some of the measures that incorporate actions that can immediately be taken.

I will respond flexibly using whatever measures are necessary while keeping a close watch on the trend in the price of crude oil, among other matters.

However, what is most important from a long-term perspective is to bring about a society that is not dependent on oil and other fossil fuels -- in other words, a low-carbon society.

The achievement of such a society is the fundamental solution to the problem.

Each and every one of the people is a protagonist in this undertaking.

If we are to transform our society into a low-carbon society, it is essential that everyone takes action, starting with a review of his or her own lifestyle.

Japan has, in any case, long valued the spirit of "mottainai," which means not letting things that have value go to waste.

As such, I believe that an energy-saving low-carbon lifestyle is not so difficult for Japanese people to achieve. In fact, I am sure that it is already in our blood.

The other day, I attended the Award Ceremony for the Energy Conservation Contest.

On that occasion, I heard various snippets rich in the unique wisdom of housewives from Mrs. Hitomi Ozawa, who won the Prime Minister's Award for the household sector.

By putting a range of ingenious ideas into practice, Mrs. Ozawa was able to reduce the amount of energy used in her household by 18%.

She cut the time needed to heat a pan on the gas stovetop through the use of a handmade insulating cover that cooks using waste heat, and she reduced the amount of detergent and water needed for the laundry by weighing each load before washing it.

"The key is to enjoy whatever things you are doing without taking it too far," said Mrs. Ozawa, but it really is true that from small beginnings come great things.

I take my hat off to the wisdom of housewives, which not only stretches the family budget but can also help to save the planet.

Global environmental issues will be a major topic of discussion at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit.

Starting this year, I will make July 7, which is also the first day of the Summit, Cool Earth Day, a day for the Government and the people to think and act together in order to achieve a low-carbon society.

Various events are being planned for Cool Earth Day.

One of these is the Tanabata Light Down -- July 7 being, in Japan, the day of Tanabata, or the Star Festival. That evening, over 70,000 facilities and households across the country will switch off their lights from 20:00 to 22:00.

As a first step that we can take, in our everyday lives, toward an energy-saving lifestyle, I invite you all to try turning off the lights in your house and stepping outside to enjoy with your family the sight of the Milky Way in the night sky.

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産油国へ200兆円の流出

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:16:08 GMT

※- 原油高騰で産油国へ200兆円流出　 08年推計 - web site -

原油価格の高騰で、石油の消費国から産油国への所得移転が進んでいる。

原油価格が現在の1バレル140ドル前後で年内推移した場合、日本を含むアジアや米国、欧州から中東・ロシアなどの産油国に流れるお金は約200兆円にのぼる見通し。

1970年代の2度の石油ショック時を上回る「富の移転」が生じる見込みで、日本からも原油代金として国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）の5％強にあたる企業や個人の「稼ぎ」が資源国に流出する計算に成る。

所得移転の額は英ＢＰの石油貿易統計などから推計した。

原油の貿易量が2007年並みで推移し、原油価格が08年の残りの期間中1バレル140ドルで推移すると想定。

原油輸入国の「米国」「欧州」「日本」「中国やインドなど他のアジア地域」から、「中東」や「ロシアをはじめとする旧ソ連圏」などに支払う原油代金を計算したものだ

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原油高騰と国際収支

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:17:39 GMT

**
※- 原油高騰と国際収支

消費税率の議論がくすぶる中で、昨今、よく聞く言葉がある。

その言葉とは、日本は既に原油高騰によって消費税に当たる５パーセント相当分の支出を余儀なくされている。

要するに、原油高騰と現在の消費税を合わせて約１０パーセントの支払いを国民が負っているのである。

ただ、消費税と違って物価値上がりの大部分は、そのまま海外へ石油代金として資金流出するので国際収支は悪化する。

ましてや国民にとって何の得もないと思いきや、それなりに儲けている一部の個人投資家や機関投資家などが居ることは事実であり、それが現実で有ることは否め無くもないが・・・？

ここでも、私の嫌いなグローバル化なる自由主義経済が色濃く表れた結果とも言える。

現在の資本主義経済はマネー流動性、いわゆるマネーゲームであり実質経済が伴っていない事はサブプライムローン問題が表面化する前から言われていた事でもある。

アメリカやEUなど金融機関に於いて、まだまだ、サブプライムローン問題は此からも尾を引きそうである。

ある専門家は来年以降まで、この問題は長期化する考えを述べているし、直近での報告でもアメリカの金融機関（銀行・証券・ローン会社など）は負債の償還が滞っている。

さて、日本に限らず原油輸入諸国は石油価格高騰によって、経済への影響がこれから益々大きくなり、その反動が危惧され、"第三次石油危機"の様相を呈しているとも言える。

経済専門筋の一部では既に、１バレル・２００ドルに達するとの観測も出ているが、果たして、その時点に於いて、世界経済は平穏であり得るのかが気になります

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　２００８年　６月２７日　”風の道草”

A society that one can feel reassured in

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:13:56 GMT

※- A society that one can feel reassured in

”This Message from the Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.”

I heard that the people of Okinawa harbor mixed feelings when they see Deigo (Indian coral bean) blossoms.

They start to bloom each year around the time the Battle of Okinawa, which claimed as many as 200,000 lives, began 63 years ago and then scatter around the time the battle was all but ended, which reminds the people of all those precious lives that were lost to the war.

On Monday of this week, I participated in the Memorial Ceremony to Commemorate the Fallen on the 63rd Anniversary of the End of the Battle of Okinawa.

Feeling the mid-summer heat and humidity of the island, I was overwhelmed by an immense grief when I think back to the hardships experienced by the people of Okinawa in the summer of 63 years ago.

I imagined the many unrealized dreams and hopes of so many fallen young people and the prayers offered by the mothers and fathers who perished, wishing for the safety of their children.

Japan's peace and prosperity today is built on the precious sacrifice of the war dead.

I renewed my determination to reflect in today's politics the wishes of those who perished as we strive to make Japan a peaceful nation in which we can feel reassured.

Last week, the members of the National Commission on Social Security compiled a mid-term report.

The Commission has focused on discussions with a view to bringing about a fundamental reform of various systems related to social security.

Some of the issues under discussion are matters of great urgency that must immediately be addressed.

Given the people's dissatisfaction and anxiety, we should start doing whatever must be done now.

As an emergency measure for that purpose, this Tuesday I instructed the concerned Cabinet members to compile a Five-Point Reassurance Plan by the end of July.

The first pillar of this plan is building a society in which the elderly can lead active lives with a sense of reassurance.

The development of a healthy and vigorous society, in which elderly people with wisdom and experience can take part actively, is of supreme importance.

Moreover, we must take steps so that elderly persons can comfortably stay in places where they have lived for a long time by advancing a scheme to support home care, constructing more housing with home care service, and through other means.

The second pillar is establishing a society in which everyone with health concerns can receive healthcare.

A while back, I visited a center for pediatrics services and listened to what the people there had to say.

There are medical institutions with obstetrics and pediatrics services that have been closed due to the shortage of doctors, and emergency patients have been passed around hospitals.

We cannot ignore these situations.

Regarding the issue of the doctor shortage, more prospective doctors will be trained from now on.

I intend right away to step up efforts to facilitate networking among hospitals and clinics so that those medical institutions can provide necessary regional medical services by complementing the manpower and functions of the others that would otherwise be insufficient.

We must also expeditiously take measures to reduce the excessively heavy workload of hospital doctors and to ensure that people feel secure about giving birth to children.

The third pillar is measures to protect and raise children who shoulder the future.

I have listened to a lot of serious and urgent voices of many mothers and fathers struggling with child raising.

Those include, "My child has to wait until April to enter a nursery school," "My child will have nowhere to go after school when he enters elementary school," and "I would like to take childcare leave more flexibly."

In order to address such concerns, I will immediately look to take the necessary remedies for child raising assistance measures, including reviewing the way that people work.

The fourth pillar is measures for non-regular employees such as dispatched workers and part-time workers.

Now, one out of every three employees has a non-regular job. Many non-regular workers are anxious about their future because of their unstable status.

It is important to give those people hope for the future by supporting their efforts to get regular positions and by expanding the coverage of social insurances.

In particular, I will take firm steps including revision of laws to prevent the hollowing out of the system protecting dispatched workers, as many problems such as the issue of day workers have been pointed out regarding dispatched labor.

The fifth and last pillar of the plan is to restore the people's trust in health, welfare and labor administration.

Public trust in the administration that manages the social security system including the pension system is a prerequisite for public participation in and support for the system.

That is why I will see to it that a thorough and comprehensive review on the administration of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, including its organizations, will be conducted.

It is my responsibility to ensure that ours is a society in which each and every one of the people can live with a sense of reassurance.

Realizing that is at the very core of the reforms from the public's viewpoint that I have advanced since becoming Prime Minister.

As such, I will continue to steadily implement policies, one by one, so that everyone can truly sense at the earliest date possible that the Five-Point Reassurance Plan is helping to put them at ease.

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Sharing the standpoint

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:20:12 GMT

※- Sharing the standpoint of the people

”This Message from the Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.”

Yesterday, I visited the area severely stricken by the Iwate-Miyagi Inland Earthquake.

I saw the aftermath of a landslide that cut a swath through the landscape just as if the mountains had moved, and a lake that formed where the earth and sand had dammed up a river.

I saw Komanoyu Onsen inn buried under a mudslide, a large bridge that had collapsed, and roads blocked by the debris of landslides.

Witnessing the damage from the air brought home to me once again the savage fury of this earthquake.

The Government swung into action immediately after the earthquake struck, working in cooperation with the local authorities.

No efforts were spared, with absolute priority given to saving lives. Even so, there have been 11 fatalities so far.

It grieves me deeply to think that we were unable to do anything to save any of the 11 souls who perished.

My thoughts are with the bereaved, who have suffered such a harrowing loss, and my prayers are with the departed.

There are still more than 10 people unaccounted for, and with five days having passed since the earthquake struck, there must be no time lost in rescuing them.

I have given instructions for the full mobilization of the police, the fire department, the Self-Defense Forces, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and other organizations to carry out a search in cooperation with the relevant prefectural and municipal authorities.

In the stricken area, I visited evacuation centers in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture, and Kurihara City, Miyagi Prefecture.

There I met with people who had suffered damage from the earthquake, and listened to what they had to say.

"I can't sleep at night because of the aftershocks."

Their words revealed vividly the dreadful anxiety they feel when the aftershocks occur one after another, awakening memories of the initial earthquake.

Many people said, "I want to go back home." The floor of the evacuation center is hard and uncomfortable.

The mornings are chilly but the daytime is hot and humid.

Living under such harsh conditions in the unfamiliar surroundings of the evacuation center is taking a huge toll, both physical and mental, on the evacuees.

The Government will join together with the prefectural and municipal authorities to restore essential utilities and residential roads as soon as possible, so that the victims of the disaster are able to return to normal life without delay.

Last Friday, the Council for Promoting Consumer Policy compiled their discussions into a report.

In line with the report and the commitment I made, I will establish an Agency for Consumer Affairs.

This will provide a single, centralized point of contact for the consumers, rather than the maze of uncoordinated, compartmentalized ministries and agencies, so that the people will be able to enquire about any problem they may have without feeling at a loss as to where to go.

I intend to create an organization in which top priority is accorded to convenience and user-friendliness for the consumers.

Needless to say, I will ensure that the organization is an efficient one.

Moreover, where laws and jurisdiction have been transferred from ministries, personnel and budgetary allocations will be shifted away accordingly, so that the establishment of the new agency will not result in bloated government.

I will also enhance the operations of the consumer centers, which provide services to the people in respective local communities and with which the people feel more familiar, from the perspective of convenience and user-friendliness for each one of the consumers.

The Agency for Consumer Affairs will drive the complete shift toward an administration that shares the standpoint of the people.

We are currently getting down to the various tasks in preparation for the new agency's opening during the coming fiscal year.

The Diet is to deliberate the bills pertaining to the establishment of the new agency.

The path to its establishment is, at last, open before us.

I am determined to make the very fullest efforts, with the people's understanding and cooperation, to see to it that the new organization will act in the best interests of the consumers.

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与党は崩壊し解消する

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:04:06 GMT

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※- 与党は「崩壊し解消する」・小沢民主代表

２００８年６月２日付、英フィナンシャル・タイムズ（Financial Times）の一面掲載記事。

記者：デイビッド・ピリング、ライオネル・バーバー（東京）

「自民党政権の終結に自信」

「日本の野党代表、変革を予言」

日本の野党第一党の指導者である小沢一郎氏は、今年中に自民党を追い詰め、自民党政権を終わらせることができると、自信のほどを語った。

フィナンシャル・タイムズとの独占インタビューの中で、9月の参議院選挙で民主党を大勝利に導いたベテラン政治家は、かつて彼が所属していた与党・自民党を崩壊させるのは時間の問題であるとした。

「野党が政権を取り、政権が代わると、自民党は必然的に崩壊します」と予言し、政党を超えた政界再編は考え難く、妥当ではないとした。

小沢氏は「彼らは、権力の垢にまみれてしまって、もう腐り切っている」と言った。

世論調査によると、福田康夫首相の支持率は２０％代前半であり、短命に終わった前任者、安倍晋三氏の末期と同じレベルである。

最近の世論調査では、与党より野党を支持する有権者の方が多い。老練な自民党政治家たちでさえも、2009年9月までには行われる衆議院総選挙において負けることを恐れている、とフィナンシャル・タイムズに語る。

小沢氏は昨年、地方の活力を低下させたと与党を批判し、従来の自民党支持層の票を獲得して、参議院選挙を制した。

参議院選挙における敗北は安倍政権の終焉を加速させたが、それ以来、小沢氏は参議院での過半数を活用し、福田（内閣の提出する）法案を阻止している。

小沢氏（66歳）は、生涯の目標である有効な二大政党制の確立のためには、自分自身が首相である必要はない、と述べた。

小沢氏は、秋に予定されている（民主党）代表選挙に再び立候補する意思さえも明言しない。

「誰でも、選挙に勝てて立派にやれる人がいれば、その人が代表をやっても私は何も言うことはありません。」

「とにかく、政権を代える、そして日本に議会制民主主義を定着させる、ということが私の悲願です」と述べた。

年内にあると見通す総選挙において、民主党を指揮することについて、小沢氏は可能性を否定しない。

しかし同時に、自分が直接的な権力者になるよりも、キングメーカーでいたいということを暗示した。

小沢氏は「僕が代表である時に選挙で勝ったら、その時は自分が総理大臣をやらざるを得ない」と述べた。

小沢氏は、民主党がイデオロギー的に割れていることを否定した。

「自民党と（民主党の間で）は、基本的な考え方が違っている」と述べ、「根本的には、民主党は自民党より圧倒的にまとまっている」とした。

民主党は選挙を通じて、政治家と官僚との腐敗した関係を断ち切ること、そして社会保障制度を立て直すことを訴えてきている。

また、小沢氏は、米国から自立し、国連の要請に応えて日本が国際的な役割を果たすよう主張してきた。

彼は、イラクやアフガニスタン（戦争）における米国への日本の支援に強い反対を示した

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"Never give up. Yasuo Fukuda."

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:46:12 GMT

※- Never give up.

”This Message from the Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.”

Last Sunday, I conversed with astronaut Akihiko Hoshide in outer space, who successfully attached the inboard laboratory of the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" to the International Space Station.

"Seen through the window, I felt that the Earth's existence is truly wonderful and fragile."

The beautiful Earth that Mr. Hoshide spoke of is beset by a variety of problems on the ground.

Since the Industrial Revolution, human society has developed at breakneck speed utilizing fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum as energy sources.

But more than 200 years after the Industrial Revolution, we now stand at a major crossroads.

The price of a barrel of crude oil, which used to sell for a dollar back when I was working for an oil company about 40 years ago, has now surpassed 130 dollars.

Moreover, the surge in energy prices is linked to the global food problem, which I mentioned in last week's e-mail magazine.

According to a United Nations report, global warming, which is caused by an increase in the atmosphere of the concentration of greenhouse gases such as CO2, has the potential to create serious problems if the situation continues as it is with regard to climate, water, and ecosystems.

In order to protect our planet and ensure that we hand down to future generations a "truly wonderful" Earth, those of us alive today have to start off a process of major change -- a "low-carbon revolution"

-- which will be comparable in significance to the Industrial Revolution that commenced more than two centuries ago.

What should Japan do, then, to bring about this revolution?

I announced my ideas at the beginning of this week. However, this is not something that can be solved by government action alone.

The joint efforts of government, industry, and local communities are necessary in order to establish a low-carbon society, and each and every one of the people is a part of the driving force of the low-carbon revolution.

What is essential is positive actions, including lifestyle choices such as switching to energy-saving home appliances and making greater use of public transport.

This is not an issue for Japan alone. Needless to say, Japan should lead the world forward by making use of the world's most advanced energy-saving technologies.

But we should also remember that global warming knows no borders.

The CO2 emission volumes of countries, such as the United States, China, and India, which have not made commitments to curb emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, now account for around 70% of total world emissions.

It will be impossible to protect our planet without a concerted global effort.

"Never give up."

This was the advice given by Mr. Hoshide, who on his third attempt realized his own dream of becoming an astronaut, in response to a question from children who asked, "What is important in order to realize your dreams?"

The arduous journey to the low-carbon society has just begun.

I would like us all to move forward steadily, one step at a time, together with the people of countries around the world.

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It is time for the world to act

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:33:24 GMT

※- It is time for the world to act

”This Message from the Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.”

"We estimate that already some 100 million people may have been pushed into poverty... over the last two years."

World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick made this statement when he was speaking about the influence of the recent worldwide surge in grain prices.

Indeed, during these two years corn, soybean, and wheat prices have more than doubled.

In Japan, we are largely dependent on imports of food, and accordingly, we have seen the price of bread, dairy products, and other foods increase significantly.

This is already exacting a substantial toll on the lives of the people, though the issue of food price increases is not only an issue for Japan.

Many of the nations of Asia and Africa rely on imported food.

In some of those nations, the average per capita income amounts to less than one dollar per day, and more than half of that has to be spent on purchasing food.

The current sharp rise in food prices is a serious issue directly affecting the very lives of poor people who are struggling just to be able to afford to eat.

Moreover, in some nations we are seeing demonstrations and riots by people who have had enough of rising prices, and in some cases this has resulted in casualties and deaths.

Last week, my sense of the gravity of this issue was renewed when I held talks with many leaders from Africa on the occasion of the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV).

It was with this strong sense of urgency that I came to Rome on June 3 to attend the World Food Summit.

More than anything else, we must absolutely get food as quickly as possible to those people who at this very instant are experiencing shortfalls of food and to those who are actually starving.

For our part, I have announced Japan's additional food assistance, and moreover, called upon countries around the world to release their stockpiles of food and to refrain from instituting restrictions on agricultural exports.

As we look ahead, aiming for long-term stability, we must increase food production capacity on a global scale.

It goes without saying that Japan, the world's largest food importer, must achieve greater agricultural production and increase our food self-sufficiency rate.

In addition, I have announced that Japan, in close coordination with the international community, will make an active contribution to infrastructure development such as irrigation and research into breed improvement, so as to improve the agricultural productivity of African nations and other developing countries.

The production of biofuels utilizing grain products is also one factor in the recent rapid price increases.

As such, I made it clear that Japan will accelerate research on biofuels made of non-food plants as well as the portions of agricultural products that are left over after harvest such as rice straw, in order to bring them into practical production.

It is time for the world to take swift actions based upon collected wisdom and insights.

Before and after attending the World Food Summit, I had opportunities to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy.

In our talks, it became apparent to me that all of these world leaders share this view on the current situation and consider the food situation that the world is facing now to be of crisis proportions.

Leaders of major industrialized nations will gather together at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit next month.

As the Chair of the G8 Summit, I intend to place the issue of the rapid increase in food prices firmly on the agenda.

I am resolved to issue to the world a robust message -- one that represents the determination of the leaders of the G8 nations -- that will offer assurance for the future about food, the foundation for life.

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米国・ガソリン = １１０円

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:05:05 GMT

※- アメリカもガソリン高騰で１１０円

アメリカと聞けば、広い国土に多民族国家といった印象ですが、その広いアメリカでもガソリン価格の高騰が続いているとか。

彼らの習慣なのかは分かりませんが、何事も週単位的に物事が進んでいる感じがしますね。

価格が値上がりしているガソリンにしても週単位で書かれてあり、10週連続でガソリン価格が値上がりしている、そのような価格変動である。

日本の場合、まあ、普通ですと来月からとか、３ヶ月後から値上げします、と言うのが一般的。

米エネルギー省が５月２日に発表した、アメリカ全州でのガソリンの平均小売価格（レギュラー）は、1ガロン＝3.976ドル（ 1リットル約110円）と、4ドルの大台へと一段と接近している。

前週に比べて、1.0％の値上がり、10週連続の最高値更新となっている。

もう既に、１ガロン＝４ドルを超えているところもある。

西海岸のカリフォルニア州では、同4.242ドルまで上昇、東海岸の北部でも平均価格が4ドル台まで値上がりしていると、マスコミが書いている。

日本と違うのが軽油の価格である。トラックなどディーゼル車用の軽油はガソリンより高い。

平均小売価格が、現在、1ガロン＝4.707ドル（約130円）となっていて、それでも、前週に比べ0.3％下落し、 1カ月ぶりに値下がりしたそうです。

しかし、依然としてガソリンを上回る高値で売られている。

いくら、ディーゼル・エンジンが燃費が良いと言えども大型トラックの場合、精々、リッター当たり２～３キロ走れるかだと思いますけど、詳しくは分かりませんけど・・・？

市民生活への影響が大きい反面、石油企業はボロ儲けをしている。

日本も石油、鉱物資源、穀物価格などの高騰でダメージが大きいですが、其れよりも、アメリカの方が先行きの不透明感が大きい気がする

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　２００８年　６月　４日　”風の道草”

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Towards a Vibrant Africa

Fri, 30 May 2008 17:16:31 GMT

※- Towards a Vibrant Africa

”This Message from the Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.”　

The other day, I met with a group of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) who had carried out activities in Africa, and I listened to them recount some of their experiences.

The volunteers spoke with relish of their interaction with local people, as well as on other aspects of their assignments.

It was very clear from their enthusiasm that each and every one of their activities had been truly productive and fruitful, despite the fact that they could not take electricity and running water for granted.

To be frank, there is no denying that Africa is a very distant presence when viewed from Japan.

The image that some people may have of Africa is of a continent characterized by conflict and poverty.

Such problems are indeed the reality in parts of Africa.

Ms. Rui Matsuno, a nurse who was dispatched to Burkina Faso to improve hygiene management for the prevention of malaria and other diseases, commented, "The gravity of life is the same the world over." Yet Africa is undergoing enormous changes.

Mr. Chiharu Nagakita, a teacher who worked to improve math and science education in Ethiopia, noted, "Africa is no different to other societies in that one's educational background is highly valued."

He said that a single class comprised of nearly 100 students overflowed with the vibrancy of their "eagerness that knew no bounds."

Ms. Etsuko Kato, a social worker who in Rwanda set up a workshop for water buffalo horn handicrafts, said that the faces of the people who received vocational training there "lit up."

Africa is poised to take a new leap towards the century of African growth.

This is indeed the perfect time for the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) that opened yesterday in Yokohama, attended by national leaders and ministers from more than 40 African countries.

There is absolutely no doubt that Japan will continue to give all the support it can to resolve issues including those related to health and sanitation in Africa.

At the same time, I also intend to focus on aid that will bolster growth in Africa, such as the development of road networks and other forms of infrastructure and the provision of support to Japanese companies looking to expand business operations in Africa.

A vibrant Africa brims with hope for the future; extending aid not only benefits Africa itself, but also represents a great opportunity for Japan.

At TICAD IV my hope is to talk with as many African leaders as possible, in order to build a partnership between Japan and Africa to progress hand-in-hand in the century of African growth.

More than 10,000 JOCVs have carried out assignments in Africa, and many of the incoming volunteers express a particular desire to be dispatched there.

I feel very encouraged to learn that young people have a high level of interest in Africa.

I strongly hope that TICAD IV will encourage even more people to take an interest in Africa, and that it will serve to bring Africa just that little bit closer.

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中国への自衛隊機輸送見送り

Fri, 30 May 2008 01:59:27 GMT

**
※- 中国への自衛隊機輸送見送り

町村官房長官は航空自衛隊による物資輸送を見送ったことを明らかにした。

町村信孝官房長官は30日、午前の記者会見で中国・四川大地震の被災者支援のため検討していた自衛隊機の派遣を見送る方針を正式表明した。

中国国内の一部に自衛隊機派遣への慎重論が出たことを考慮したと述べている。

中国政府にも問題があったと言えますが、テントなど救援物資の輸送であれば、別に自衛隊機が必要なのかは誰しもが思うことであり、日本政府の対応もイマイチといえる。

政府は、テントなど物資輸送に民間のチャーター機の活用を検討している

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　２００８年　５月３０日　”風の道草”

Agency for Consumer Affairs

Mon, 26 May 2008 02:44:52 GMT

※- Why we need to establish an Agency for Consumer Affairs.

”This Message from the Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.”

"A similar accident occurred 10 years ago. Then why..."

On Monday, I met the mother of Mr. Hiroyuki Joushima, a young man who lost his life as the result of a gas water heater accident, and the mother of Mr. Ryunosuke Murata, a boy who died from asphyxiation when eating konnyaku jelly, and I listened to their stories.　

"If the public authorities and the companies concerned had begun to take action immediately after the first similar accidents happened, our own children would not have suffered harm" is the sort of thought that would come naturally to every parent.

"The scars we bear from losing a precious family member will remain with us as long as we live."

Mrs. Joushima and Mrs. Murata were choked with tears as they said these words to me.

Confronted with their grief, I could only think that I should do all in my power to ensure that such tragedies are never again repeated.

It came to light that over-compartmentalized administration is the background to these sorts of incidents in which similar accidents are repeated: problems include a lack of clarification as to which ministry or agency should be in charge of the accidents concerned, a failure to properly deliver information on accidents to the responsible department, and a tendency for issues to be neglected for long periods.

"For my dead son's sake, I hope for the establishment of a government agency that truly takes the standpoint of the consumers."

We must not allow problems in the administration to result in any increase in the number of people suffering harm.

At the earliest possible juncture, I will establish a new organization for consumer protection, which will share the perspective of the consumers: the Agency for Consumer Affairs.

Following the large-scale earthquake in Sichuan Province in China, the Japan Disaster Relief Rescue Team was the first foreign team to commence rescue work in the afflicted areas.

Additionally, this week we have dispatched a Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team in response to a request from China.

The medical team will carry out life-saving and treatment activities.

These Japanese rescue activities have been reported in China too, and the Chinese people have responded with many messages showing their appreciation.

With the best wishes of the people of both countries, I would like the members of the medical team to do their best to save as many lives as possible.

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役人どもは腐ってる

Sat, 24 May 2008 03:31:43 GMT

※- 役人どもは腐ってる

次から次と、各省庁の無駄遣い、デタラメな予算の使い方が表面化している。

官僚政治と言われ、その上にあぐらをかいて来た自由民主党の長期政権、もう、自由民主党なる利権政党にはウンザリする！！

今度、問題になっているのは電波利用料というもの。

その体質は国交省の道路特定財源と同じで、国に納められる金に群がる輩は同じである。

携帯電話などから電波利用料として、６７３億円ものお金が総務省に収められ、そこでも無責任な使われ方をしている。

この問題を追及している、民主党の寺田学衆院議員は、知らず知らずのうちに電話代と一緒に徴収される年間４２０円の「電波利用料」を採り上げた。

民主党の調べで「電波の税金」を管理する総務省のデタラメ使途が発覚したと政府を追及した。（チョット遅い書き込みですが・・・）

マスコミ報道されていますから詳しくは書きませんが、主なものを挙げると、（野球観戦、映画観賞、美術館観覧、陶芸体験、ボウリング・・・）。

これらはすべて、国民が支払った電波利用料で総務省の役人が使った用途で、その他にもある。

電波利用料は本来、使途が違法電波監視などに限定される「特定財源」。

ところが、２００６年度の決算額６７３億円のうち、約５０億円分について民主党が調べたところ、４０００万円に上る怪しい支出がゾロゾロ出てきた。

その中身は、６万円のフラワーアレンジメント、３０万円のプラズマテレビ、１０万円のラジコンカー、などなどが報道されている。

役人体質は腐れきっている、社保庁や国交省と同じ。総務省は「４４万円のレクリエーション費はともかく、花やテレビは事務に必要な経費」と説明している（電波利用企画室）。

そもそも、電波利用料には数々の疑惑があると言われていて、そもそも電波利用料は放送局やアマチュア無線の登録者が負担する程度で、年間７０億円の収入源だった。

ところが、携帯電話の普及で、現在では１０倍に膨れて、年間７００億円が国庫に入る。

その額から、電波管理の目的だけで使い切れ無い金額となっていた。

総務省は２度にわたる法改正で必死に使途の拡大をしてきたといわれる経緯があるとか？

国交省が道路利権ならば、こちらは電波の利権とでも言えるでしょう。

また、総務省の出先機関である「地方総合通信局」が全国に１１しかないのに、職員数は約１５００人に上るらしい。そんなに忙しいのですかね！？

民主党の寺田議員は、ほかにも関連の財団法人に業務を丸投げ、数千万円という金額の明細も出てきた。

その他にも宿舎の修繕、地方局長の写真撮影代にまで電波利用料は使われているとして政府にただした。

もちろん、それらは氷山の一角に過ぎませんと述べ、これからも政府の行政管理を追及していく構えだ！！

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　２００８年　５月２４日　”風の道草”

６大銀・損失9800億円

Wed, 21 May 2008 22:30:16 GMT

**
※- ６大銀、・サブプライム損失9800億円

日本の銀行もやっている事はアメリカと変わりが無いですね！

銀行がマネーゲームに落ちてどうするのと言いたい！！　もう、現実問題としてアメリカ経済は、実態経済が伴っていない。

日本の大手銀行6グループの2008年3月期決算が20日、出そろった。連結純利益は合計1兆8600億円と前の期に比べ34％減った。

減益は2期連続。米国の信用力の低い個人向け住宅融資（サブプライムローン）関連損失は計9800億円に達した。投資信託などの販売が落ち込むなど手数料収入も前の期を下回った。

今期はサブプライム関連損失が大幅に減るものの、景気減速で不良債権処理費用がかさむうえ、貸し出しも伸び悩むため13％の増益にとどまる見通し。

系列ノンバンクの業績悪化で減益決算となった07年3月期にも届かない水準だ。

三菱ＵＦＪ、みずほ、三井住友、りそな、住友信託、中央三井トラストの6グループのうち、三井住友を除く5グループが減益だった。

サブプライム関連損失の合計額は前期初めに公表した純利益見通しの4割に相当。証券や保険などを含む国内金融機関の損失は1兆6000億円強に膨らんでいる

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A friend in need is a friend indeed

Mon, 19 May 2008 15:03:23 GMT

※- A friend in need is a friend indeed.

”This Message from the Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.”

Since the beginning of this month, we have seen, one after another,natural disasters occur on a scale rare in history: first the cyclone that struck Myanmar, and then the earthquake that occurred in Sichuan Province in China.

The cyclone that struck Myanmar has wrought enormous damage and has taken more than 20,000 lives. I understand that a great many people have had to take refuge.

The earthquake that occurred in Sichuan Province has already claimed more than 10,000 lives.

Many buildings have been destroyed and more than 20,000 people are still missing.

My heart grieves each time I see a local report and learn of the plight of the many children who are buried under the debris of their collapsed school and are suffering so greatly.

I understand that strenuous rescue efforts are being made on the ground in the afflicted areas. For our part, Japan has already provided initial assistance in kind, including tents, to both countries.

I have informed the governments of both nations that Japan will continue to provide whatever assistance it can.

At times of large-scale disasters, cooperation through personnel assistance is also important.

Japan has, furthermore, informed both governments that it is ready to proactively provide personnel assistance upon request, including the dispatch of emergency medical teams.

When the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake hit Japan, countries from around the world made offers to provide assistance to our country.

Damage inflicted by natural disasters is not "somebody else's problem." A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Even after the rescue operations have finished, both countries will face a long road to recovery from the effects of the disasters: there will be much work to do to safeguard the lives of the many people afflicted by these disasters and to reconstruct the stricken areas.

Japan will provide as much cooperation as it can, together with the international community.

A while back, I promised that revenue sources earmarked for roads will be reallocated to the revenues used for general purposes from the next fiscal year, so that they may be available for various policies other than those for roads, including the enhancement of medical services and countermeasures against the declining birthrate.

This policy has already been adopted by the Government and the ruling parties, and it was reaffirmed through a Cabinet decision on May 13.

Going forward, I will launch discussion on how to make use of the reallocated revenues as we consider what is really necessary from the perspective of the people.

I will advance work to clearly specify the details of the reallocation, including necessary legal revisions.

I certainly hope that the members of the opposition parties will come on board, so that we can formulate an even better structure for the reallocation.

The system of earmarking revenue sources for roads has been maintained for more than half a century.

Still, I can assure you that the Government and the ruling parties will make their utmost efforts to abolish the system from the next fiscal year and reallocate revenue sources for roads to the revenues used for general purposes, just as I promised.

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小沢氏・東京選挙区から出馬か

Wed, 14 May 2008 19:06:50 GMT

**
※- 小沢代表、次の衆議院選は東京選挙区から出馬か
　
前々から小沢代表は党の領袖は東京選挙区から出馬すべきと言っていた。
　
その理由として、なかなか東京選挙区から出馬する候補者が決まらない。
　
そこで自ら、東京選挙区にくら替えして出馬する事なのか、果たして、勝算はあるのか、その詳細は分かりませんけど。
　
毎日新聞によると、民主党の小沢一郎代表が次期衆院選で、地元岩手から、公明党の太田昭宏代表が立候補予定の東京１２区にくら替えするとの説が浮上している、と書いている。
　
党内の大半は懐疑的だが、「本当かも」と漏らす幹部もおり、与野党の代表が激突する注目選挙区になる可能性があるとしている。
　
マスコミ的には面白いと思いますが、民主党の代表である小沢氏は地方選挙の応援など地元に張り付けない現状では難しい気がします。
　
よっぽど、選挙参謀が優秀でないと厳しい選挙となるのは否めない。
　
相手は創価学会の基礎票がありますから、浮動票を上乗せするだけですからね。
　
選挙区のデータは、まだ、見ていませんが、どうなるのでしょうか
　
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　２００８年　５月１５日　”風の道草”

ゆうちょ銀行、年々10兆円流出

Sat, 10 May 2008 07:34:19 GMT

※- ゆうちょ銀行、年々10兆円流出 －web site－

・「継続キャンペーン」に必死

ゆうちょ銀行の貯金残高が減少している。2008年3月期の定期性貯金の残高は117兆8778億円で、2月末と比べて1兆3492億円（1.1％）減った。

株式や為替市場が混乱するなかで、投資信託や株式投資にまわっていた投資マネーが銀行などの定期預金に流れ込んでいるのに、ゆうちょ銀行の貯金残高は減り続けている。

こうしたなか、ゆうちょ銀行は5月12日から12月30日まで、「定額貯金キャンペーン」を展開。貯金残高の減少をなんとか抑えようと懸命だが、そこには別の思惑も見え隠れする。

継続狙いのキャンペーンは初めて

サブプライム問題の余波で株式や為替市場が混乱するなかで、投資信託などにまわっていた投資マネーが銀行などの定期預金に流れ込んでいる。

なかでも、インターネット専業銀行は市中銀行などより金利がいいこともあって、絶好調だ。

07年9月に開業した住信SBIネット銀行は、開業から191日で預金3000億円を突破した。

3期目7000億円を目標にしていたので、「予想ははるかに上回っています」（広報担当）という。

4月21日からは、100万円以上の預け入れ金額に応じて現金をプレゼントする特典付き特別定期預金キャンペーンを展開中（5月23日まで）。「滑り出しも順調です」と話している。

一方、ゆうちょ銀行の「定額貯金キャンペーン」は2008年5月1日から12月30日までに満期を迎える定額貯金を「原資」に、100万円以上を定額貯金に継続して預け入れた人に、抽選で最高5万円相当のギフトカードを600人にプレゼントする。

ゆうちょ銀行によると、今回のキャンペーンの対象となる、満期を迎える定額貯金は、残高で1年で10兆円弱に上る。広報部は「日頃の感謝を表したい」と説明するが、「なんとか、（残高を維持）したい」と本音も漏らす。

これまでニューマネーの獲得を狙ったキャンペーンはあったが、取引の繋ぎとめのためのキャンペーンは初めてという。

残高減少しては困る理由

定額貯金といえば、預入期間10年の半年複利。しかも6か月経過後の引き出し自由という流動性と定期性を兼ね備えた商品で、高金利時代には10％を超える利回りで人気を博した。

いまの「巨大ゆうちょ」をつくった原動力。その後の預金金利の自由化やゼロ金利政策を経て、いまでは「ふつうの商品」になってしまったが、それでも1年で10兆円弱の金額が満期を迎えるのだから、その資金に目をつける金融機関は少なくない。

10年前の定額貯金の金利は年0.2～0.3％。ゆうちょ銀行は「100万円預けた人で数万円程度の利息になります」という。いまの金利は年0.407％なので、10年前よりはいい。

ここ数年の「貯蓄から投資へ」の流れにあって、ゆうちょ銀行も投資信託の販売に力を入れてきた。それもあって定額貯金の満期金も、投資信託に回してもらってきた。

株式市場などが混乱して投資信託の購入を見合わせる人が増えるなかで、貯金が他の金融機関に流れているのは確か。

「いずれ投資信託を買ってもらうにしても、手元においてもらっていればセールスしやすいですからね」（東京都内の大手信金幹部）と、「繋ぎとめ」キャンペーンの狙いを読む。

じつは、ゆうちょ銀行にはこの10兆円弱を必死になって繋ぎとめなければならないわけがある。

同行には、通常貯金や定額貯金などを合わせて「一人あたり1000万円以下」という規制があって、民営化されたことで、現在その規制撤廃を求めているところ。

「一人あたり1000万円の枠を取り払えと言っていながら、どんどん貯金残高が減っていってはつじつまが合わない」（銀行関係者）

貯金残高は、ゆうちょ銀行全体でも2000年3月期の260兆円をピークに、その後は年間10兆円規模で減っている。

貯金は収益の源泉にもなるだけに、業績にも響いてくる。もはや放ってはおけない状況になっているのだ。

まさに、小泉内閣の思惑通りともいえる。確かに、お金の流動性がハッキリと見えるかたちで現れている。

しかし、実際問題として、国民のためになっているのでしょうか。

アメリカのサブプライム問題は全く心配する事は無いと、言い続けて来た「竹中平蔵氏」のお答えを聞きたいものでが、彼のホームページには何にも書かれていない、如何なものか？

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