英文速読　初級-37

　One thing that Japan and the U.S. face in common is an aging population. This is because of falling birth rates and better medical care. The aged in Japan now make up about 11% of the population, but this figure will rise to 25% by the year 2025, seven percentage points higher than in the U.S.
　To care for the aged, both Japan and America will have to deal with higher costs for health care and pensions. This will be a burden on younger workers with respect to taxes and so forth. Japan will be shorter of labor than the U.S., for America takes in a large number of immigrants each year. Japan may also be compelled to accept plenty of foreign workers.
　As japan becomes an aging society, it will have to make new choices. Will Japan move in the direction of a European-style welfare country? Who is it that will look after the aged? Who in the world will be in charge of the hospital and nursing homes for the aged?　
　As for health care and pensions, Japan now spends about 41% of its national income on them. Some economists say that this figure will amount to 60% or higher by the year 2020. This will do serious damage to the nation’s economy. Above all, it will put pressure on the private savings which were used in the past for economic investment.

　　One thing that Japan and the U.S. face in common /is an aging population. This is because of falling birth rates and better medical care. The aged in Japan now make up about 11% of the population, but this figure will rise to 25%/ by the year 2025, seven percentage points higher than in the U.S.

　日本とアメリカが共通して直面していることの一つは高齢化人口である。これは出生率の低下とより良い医療のせいだ。日本の高齢者は今、人口の約11パーセントを構成している、しかしこの数字は25パーセントに達するだろう、2025年までに、7パーセント高い点に、アメリにおけるより。

　To care for the aged, both Japan and America will have to deal with higher costs /for health care and pensions. This will be a burden on younger workers/ with respect to taxes and so forth. Japan will be shorter of labor than the U.S., for America takes in a large number of immigrants each year. Japan may also be compelled to accept plenty of foreign workers.

　高齢者の世話をするために、日米はともにより高い支出に対処しなければならないだろう、保健医療と年金に対する。これは負担になるだろう、若い労働者に、税金などの点で。日本は労働力が不足するだろう、アメリカよりも、というのもアメリカは非常に多くの移民を受け入れているからだ、毎年。日本もまた多くの外国人労働者を受け入れざるを得ないかもしれない。

　As japan becomes an aging society, it will have to make new choices. Will Japan move in the direction of a European-style welfare country? Who is it /that will look after the aged? Who in the world will be in charge of the hospital and nursing homes for the aged?　

　日本は高齢化社会になるにつれ、新たな選択をしなければならないだろう。日本はヨーロッパ型の福祉国家の方向に向かうのか。いったい誰なのか、年よりを世話するのは。一体誰が病院と老人ホームを担当するのだろうか。

　As for health care and pensions, Japan now spends about 41% of its national income on them. Some economists say that this figure will amount to 60% or higher /by the year 2020. This will do serious damage to the nation’s economy. Above all, it will put pressure on the private savings /which were used in the past for economic investment.

　保険医療と年金に関して言えば、今や日本は国民所得のおよそ41パーセントをそれらに使っている。ある経済学者は言っている、この数は60パーセントあるいはそれ以上に達すると、2020までに。これは国家経済に深刻な被害を与えるだろう。とりわけ、それは個人の貯蓄を圧迫するだろう、それはかつて経済投資に使われてきた。