After another break, time to rock the boat!

北朝鮮、拿捕した中 国漁船を解放 外交 問題化避ける

【北京＝林望】

中国外務省の洪磊副報道 局長は２１日の定例会見で、北朝鮮当局に 拿捕（だほ）されていた中国漁船が同日未 明、解放されたことを明らかにした。北朝 鮮側が要求した６０万元（約１千万円）は 支払われなかったという。中朝双方が外交 問題化するのを避け、決着を図ったとみら れる。 すべての船員が解放され、漁船はすでに 中国側の海域に戻り、操業を再開したとい う。洪副局長は「北朝鮮側が事件について 全面的な調査を行い、説明することを望 む」と述べ、再発防止を求めた。

漁船は５日、操業中に北朝鮮の巡視船に 拿捕された。現場は漁業権などを巡って中 朝間で争いのある海域とみられ、北朝鮮側 は「罰金」の支払いを要求。１０日、船主 からの連絡を受けた中国外務省が北朝鮮政 府に解放を求めていた。

北朝鮮のミサイル発射や核開発を巡る緊 張が続く中、中朝が新たな火種を抱えるこ とを避けることで一致したとの見方が強 い。

http://www.asahi.com/international/update/0521/TKY201305210422.html

North Korea releases seized Chinese fishing boat –avoids issue becoming an diplomatic incident

Hong Lei, deputy public relations chief for the Chinese Foreign Ministry reported at his regularly scheduled interview on the 21 st that the North Korean authorities released a Chinese fishing boat it had seized early in the same morning. The 600,000 yuan (approximately 1 million yen) that the North Koreans had reportedly demanded was not paid. It appears that both sides reached this resolution in order to avoid it becoming a diplomatic incident.

He said that all of the boat’s crew were released and the ship had already returned to Chinese waters and had resumed operations. Lei said, “I hope that North Korea will conduct a full investigation and provide an explanation,” seeking to prevent a reoccurrence.

The ship was seized by a North Korean patrol vessel on the 5 th . It appears that the ship was fishing in waters that have fishing rights disputed by both China and North Korea. The North Koreans demanded payment of a “fine.” On the 10 th , the Chinese Foreign Ministry received contact from the vessel’s owner and then sought its release from the North Korean government.

In the midst of continued tensions with North Korea over its missile firings and nuclear development, it seems quite likely that China and Korea were agreed in seeking to avoid adding more fuel to the fire.

No cheating the sun!

Japan has had its day in WTO court.  I don’t think that means anything for competing with China on the creation of solar panels, but at least the Canadians can no longer unfairly favor their own when it comes to the sale of green power generating components.

カナダとの太陽光紛争、日本勝訴　ＷＴＯで確定
2013.5.7 01:30
　【ジュネーブ＝共同】カナダ・オンタリオ州が太陽光発電などで地元企業を優遇しているのは世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）協定に違反するとして、日本と欧 州連合（ＥＵ）が訴えていた通商紛争で、ＷＴＯ紛争処理手続きの「最終審」に当たる上級委員会は６日、日本とＥＵの主張をほぼ支持する報告書を公表した。
　「１審」にあたる昨年１２月の紛争処理小委員会（パネル）に続く日本の勝訴で、事実認定は確定する。
　 日本は２０１０年９月、太陽光パネルなどの輸出で、日本企業が不利な扱いを受けているとしてＷＴＯに提訴。その後、オンタリオ州は地元の部品などの使用率 をさらに引き上げた。このため日本はＷＴＯのパネル設置を要請し、ＥＵも続いた。昨年１２月には、パネルが日本、ＥＵの主張をほぼ認める最終報告書を発 表。カナダ側は上訴し、日本側も上訴していた。

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/news/130507/biz13050701330000-n1.htm

Japan wins in WTO decision in dispute over solar power with Canada
 
The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) appeals committee released its “final ruling” paper in dispute resolution proceedings largely supporting Japan and the European Union’s (EU) position in a trade dispute that Ontario, Canada violated the WTO’s charter in giving preferential treatment to local companies in the solar power industry.

It confirms the facts acknowledged in “First Ruling” in December 2012 of the Dispute Resolution Committee where Japan won.
 
In September 201, Japan submitted a complaint to the WTO claiming that its companies that export solar panels had been unfairly treated.  After this, the province of Ontario raised the required percentage of parts produced locally to be used used. Because of this, Japan requested that the WTO establish a panel to review and the EU joined in the request.  In December of last year, the panel issued a final ruling largely concurring with the assertions of Japan and the EU.  Canada and Japan appealed.

Talking nukes with the Turks

Prime Minister Abe is in Turkey for the last visit of his Middle East tour, and the negotiations all sound great on paper. Still, wondering if Japan is the best country to be talking about exporting nuclear power right now…

原発受注、政府間合意へ 日本トルコ 首脳会談
2013/5/3 20:34
【アンカラ＝佐藤賢】安倍晋三首相は３ 日、トルコのアンカラでエルドアン首相と 会談した。黒海沿岸シノプでの原子力発電 所の建設を巡りトルコ政府が日本に優先交 渉権を与えることで合意する。両政府は日 本の原発輸出を可能にする原子力協定と、 シノプに原発を建設する土地をトルコが無 償で日本側に提供することなど政府間協力 を定めた協定に調印する。

原発建設に関する政府間合意を結ぶこと で、三菱重工業と仏アレバ連合の受注が事 実上確定する。東京電力福島第１原発事故 の後、日本勢による初の海外受注案件で、 日本の原発輸出に弾みがつきそうだ。総事 業費は２兆円規模。出力は４基で450万キ ロワット程度となる見通しだ。2023年まで に第１号機の稼働を目指す。

原子力協定は核の不拡散や原発の安全利 用と２国間で確認し、原発輸出の前提とな る。トルコの原発計画は日中韓とカナダの メーカーが受注を目指して激しく競ってき たが、技術力や信頼性、価格などで日本勢 の評価が上回った。

両首相は両国関係を「戦略的パートナー シップ」に格上げする共同宣言に署 名。(1)インフラ整備や医療、農業、人工衛 星打ち上げの協力(2)次官級協議の枠組みを 格上げし、外相の定期協議を開催(3)防衛当 局間の協議促進――を盛り込んだ。

共同研究を進めている経済連携協定（Ｅ ＰＡ）の交渉開始に向けた検討推進や、社 会保障協定の交渉促進で一致。北朝鮮問題 や中東情勢に関する連携も申し合わせる。 日本の首相のトルコ訪問は06年１月の小 泉純一郎氏以来、約７年ぶり。

http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFS0301N_T00C13A5MM8000/? dg=1
Agreement between governments on accepting orders for nuclear power at Japan-Turkey leadership meeting

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan in Ankara, Turkey on the 3 rd . The Turkish government agreed to give priority negotiating rights to Japan for the construction of a nuclear power plant at Sinop on the shore of the Black Sea. Both governments signed an agreement on cooperation with regard to a further agreement on Japan exporting nuclear technology as well as Turkey offering land for free in Sinop for the construction site of the nuclear power plant.

With regard to the agreement on construction of the nuclear power plant, a joint venture of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and French company Areva will receive the orders. After the accident at Tepco’s Fukushima Daiichi reactor, this is the first overseas order for Japanese nuclear technology and it seems like Japanese nuclear exports might begin to gain momentum. The total cost of construction will be around 2 trillion yen. The generating capacity with 4 units is estimated to be 4,500,000 kilowatts. The first reactor is planned to come online in 2023.

The agreement on nuclear power confirmed between the two countries focuses on nuclear non-proliferation and safety in nuclear power as prerequisites for the export of nuclear technology. There was fierce competition among Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Canadian nuclear power makers for orders in Turkey’s nuclear power program but the Japanese were judged to be the best in terms of technology, reliability, and cost. The leaders issued a joint statement promoting relations between their countries to a “Strategic Partnership.” 3 points were included: (1) Cooperation on infrastructure, medicine, agriculture, and space technology; (2) upgrade the structure of ministerial discussions to begin regular foreign minister discussions; and (3) advance discussions between both countries’ militaries.

They also agreed to continue discussions on beginning negotiations on an economic partnership agreement and advance discussions on joint social security discussions. They also want to continue cooperation on the North Korean problem and the situation in the Middle East. Abe's visit to Turkey is the first by a Japanese prime minister since Koizumi visited in 2006.

At long last, we’re back!

So, I apologize for the long silence on the article translation front. But, all that said, we’re back, and it appears that nothing has changed at all while I was away. China is still saber-rattling over the Senkakus in case you were wondering. See below for more on the ongoing dispute.

中国海軍艦艇が尖閣周辺を航 行 下関条約締結日に合わ せ？ 中国メディアを使い宣 伝

2013.4.17 20:32

沖縄本島と宮古島の間を通過する中国海軍 のルーヤン級ミサイル駆逐艦＝１６日（防 衛省統合幕僚監部提供） 【北京＝川越一】中国国営新華社通信な どは１７日、人民解放軍海軍の南海艦隊に 所属するミサイル駆逐艦などが同日午前、 尖閣諸島（沖縄県石垣市）周辺海域を航行 したと報じた。この日は、１１８年前の１ ８９５年に日清戦争の下関条約が締結され た日。同諸島の「主権」を主張するため意 図的に航行し、中国メディアを使い宣伝し た可能性が高い。 航行したのは、ミサイル駆逐艦「蘭州」 とミサイルフリゲート艦「衡水」から成る 遠洋訓練編隊。

西太平洋海域で遠洋攻防演 習や臨検拿捕（だほ）訓練などをした後、 １６日夜に宮古海峡を通過し、尖閣周辺海 域に入ったとしている。 訓練には中国メディアが同行。編隊の指 揮官は巡航を「完全に正当かつ合法で非難 の余地はない」と強調した。新華社通信 は、海軍の北海艦隊と東海艦隊の艦艇編隊 もそれぞれ、以前に同海域を航行したとし ている。

中国政府は、下関条約により尖閣諸島を 日本に譲り渡したと主張している。中国メ ディアは同条約を「侵略者が押し付けた最 も辛辣な不平等条約」と表現。中国の専門 家は「条約締結日は中華民族の屈辱の日 だ」と反日感情を刺激している。中国の海 軍史家は「このような巡航は今後、常態化 するだろう。わが国が領海の主権を公に示 す有効な行動だ」と分析している。

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/news/130417/chn13041720330006-n1.htm

Is a Chinese naval incursion into the Senkaku territory on the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki a coincidence? Chinese media reports

The Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency and other outlets reported on the 17 th that a missile patrol boat from the People’s Liberation Navy’s South Sea group sailed into the area around the Senkaku Islands. On this day 118 years ago, the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed, ending the 1895 Sino-Japanese War. It is quite likely that Chinese media are intentionally using this as propaganda and that it is a move to assert Chinese sovereignty over the islands.

The vessels involved are the missile patrol boat “Lanzhou” and missile frigate “Hengshui” of the deep-sea training group. This occurred after they concluded deep sea defensive and inspect & seize exercises, crossed the Miyako Strait, and then entered into the waters off the Senkakus.

Chinese media reported it as training operations. The commander of the flotilla asserted, “This is completely appropriate and legal and there is no room for criticism.” Xinhau also reported that ships from the North Sea and East Sea Groups also traversed the same area previously.

The Chinese government claims that it ceded the Senkaku Islands to Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki. The Chinese media labeled this treaty a “most bitter and unfair treaty forced on us by the invader.” Chinese experts have tried to stir up anti-Japan sentiment by saying, “The treaty anniversary day is a day of disgrace to the Chinese people.” A Chinese naval historian gave his analysis saying, “This kind of patrolling will become normal in the future. It’s the action of our country publicly demonstrating its historic territorial rights.”

Give us a pope!

Well, based on historical standards, they haven’t gotten very far in their voting yet, so I suppose I will be patient for the moment.

コンクラーベ、３回目投票でも新法王 決まらず
【ローマ＝末続哲也】

ベネディクト１６ 世の後継ローマ法王を選ぶ会議「コンク ラーベ」は、１２日の１回目投票に続き、 ２日目となる１３日午前（日本時間同 夜）、２～３回目の投票がバチカンのシス ティナ礼拝堂で行われた。 選出を担う８０歳未満の枢機卿１１５人 の３分の２の票（７７票）を得た者はな く、新法王は決まっていない。１３日夕（ 日本時間１４日未明）にも、２回の投票が 予定されている。 ３回目の投票終了後の１３日昼前、礼拝 堂の煙突からは午前中の２回の投票で「新 法王は未決定」に終わったことを外部に知 らせる黒い煙が上がった。「決定」の場合 は白い煙が上がる。 法王が１３日中に決まらない場合、１４ 日も午前２回、午後２回の投票を行う。２ ００５年の前回は計４回、１９７８年の 前々回は計８回の投票で決まった。 （2013年3月13日21時48分 読売新聞）

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/world/news/20130313-OYT1T01190.htm?from=ylist

Conclave casts third vote without electing pope

The “Conclave,” a gathering to select a successor pope to Benedict 16 th , held its first vote on the 12 th , and now in its second day, held the second and third votes on the morning of the 13 th (evening Japan time) at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.

A new pope was not selected, since no individual gained 2/3 of the votes of the 115 cardinals under the age of 80 (77 votes). Another vote is scheduled for the evening of the 13 th (morning of the 14 th Japan time).

Black smoke rose from the chimney of the chapel on the morning of the conclusion of the third vote on the 13 th , signaling the 2 nd vote had ended with no pope selected. In the event of a selection, white smoke will appear.

If no pope is selected on the 13 th , there will be two more votes on the morning of the 14 th . 2 votes will also happen in the afternoon. In the previous selection in 2005, approximately 4 votes happened, and in 1978, there were approximately 8 votes before a decision was reached.

Good news for bankers!

Or at least the ones who have been nominated to serve at the Bank of Japan. Nothing to get too excited about I suppose.

日銀人事:国会同意へ…黒田 総裁案、民主が賛成決定

民主党は１２日、次期日銀総裁に黒田東 彦（はるひこ）アジア開発銀行総裁、日銀 副総裁に中曽（なかそ）宏日銀理事を充て る政府案に賛成することを正式決定し た。もう一人の副総裁候補の岩田規久男学 習院大教授には反対する。ただ、岩田氏は みんなの党と日本維新の会、新党改革が賛 成する方針のため、野党が多数を占める 参院を含めて国会同意が得られる見通し。 ３人の衆参両院での同意は確実な情勢だ。 http://mainichi.jp/select/news/m20130313k0000m010061000c.html

Bank of Japan appointment: Towards Parliamentary Approval…DPJ approves Kuroda presidential nomination

On the 12th, the Democratic Party of Japan formally approves the government proposal nominating Haruhiko Kuroda, current president of the Asia Development Bank, as the next president of the Bank of Japan (BoJ) along with BoJ director Hiroshi Nakao as BoJ vice-president. The DPJ opposes one other vice-presidential nominee, Gakushuin University professor Kikuo Iwata. That said, since Iwata enjoys the support of other opposition parties, including Everybody’s Party, the Japan Restoration Party, and the New Reform Party, he is expected to gain Parliamentary approval by a majority in the lower house. The three individuals’ approval is certain in both houses at this point.

Take me out to the ball game…

Take me out to the crowd! There weren’t too many happy cracker jacks as Japan lost its first game in the World Baseball Classic yesterday. Let’s hope they can step it up!

日本、キューバに敗 れ２位＝２次Ｒ初戦 は台湾と【ＷＢＣ】

野球の国・地域別対抗戦、ワールド・ ベースボール・クラシック（ＷＢＣ）は６ 日、福岡市のヤフオクドームで１次ラウン ドＡ組最後の１試合が行われ、日本は キューバに３－６で敗れ、Ａ組２位となっ た。
８日の２次ラウンド１組１回戦では台 湾（Ｂ組１位）と対戦する。 日本は先発の大隣（ソフトバンク）が三 回先頭のトマスに左中間へソロ本塁打を浴 びた。田中（楽天）、沢村（巨人）も失点 し、八回には今村（広島）が３ランを打た れた。内川（ソフトバンク）が腰の違和感 のため先発メンバーから外れた打線は、八 回まで無得点と精彩を欠いた。
Ａ組１位となったキューバは８日にオラ ンダ（Ｂ組２位）と顔を合わせる。 （2013/03/06-22:57）
http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g= spo_30&k=2013030601057

Japan loses to Cuba in 2 nd place – 2 nd round opener against Taiwan [WBC]

In baseball’s country/regional competition, the World Baseball Classic (WBC), the last game in A-group’s first round was held on the 6 th at Fukuoka City’s Yafuoka Dome and Japan lost to Cuba 6-3, falling to 2 nd place in A group. It next plays Taiwan (B-group #1) in the 2 nd round, Group 1, Game 1.

Japan’s starter Oorin (Softbank) gave up a homerun to center-left field to Thomas to lead off the third inning. Tanaka (Rakuten), Sawamura (Giants) also were charged points. In the 8 th , Imamura (Hiroshima) scored the 3 rd run. Uchikawa (Softbank) had discomfort in his lower back and was held from the starting line-up and lost his brilliance with no points until the 8 th inning.

A Group #1 Cuba faces Holland (B Group #2) on the 8 th .