Translation: "Politics that defy democracy" by a high schooler in Japan (民主主義に反する政治とは) とある高校生の投書

現役高校生が考える「反民主的な政治」の姿。

昨年大晦日に新聞投書欄に投稿された以下の秀逸な記事を英訳した。

What a high school student will consider as acts that defy democracy.
A shrewd newspaper comment posted on a national newspaper on New Year's Eve 2013.

"Politics that defy democracy"

by Kota Hara (18), a High school student
from Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

December 31, 2013

The ways politicians today speak and behave often defy democracy. First and foremost, they never follow through with their campaign promises. Elections are one of the very few moments when politicians actually listen in person to what the people has to say. Still, they do not uphold their promises. In fact, they sometimes enact policies that they never promised but nevertheless have a great impact on people's daily lives. Can policies like the State Secrecy Act, which they never bothered to gather public consensus through elections, be considered an act of democracy?

The State Secrecy Act infringes upon the people's right to know, so politicians and bureaucrats can hide whatever information they deem are inconvenient to the public's eyes. If they hide this important information, on what basis can the people make their decision?

I also question the mindset of those in power who claim that protesters are "terrorists." These politicians believe that they're being righteous. And they call names on people who demonstrate as a means to express their opinion, labeling them as "terrorists." But demonstrators aren't terrorists. These types of remarks should not be tolerated even if they are withdrawn.

A nation belongs to all people who pay their taxes to maintain it. I believe that you can only say that we live in a democracy when politicians explain everything and seriously consider the will of the people before enacting any of their policies.


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民主主義に反する政治とは

高校生　原洪太（神奈川県　１８）

　今の政治家の言動は民主主義に反することが多いと思う。第一に公約通りに政治を行わない。政治家が国民の意向を直接聞く場は選挙などに限られているが、公約は守られないことが多い。公約にないのに国民生活に大きく関わる政策を実施する場合もある。特定秘密保護法のように、選挙で民意を問うていない場合も民主主義と言えるのか。 

　特定秘密法で国民の知る権利は阻害され、政治家や役人は都合のいいように国民に情報を隠すだろう。重要な問題を隠されたら、国民は選挙で何を根拠に判断したらよいのだろうか。 

　デモをテロと呼ぶ権力者の精神構造にも疑問がある。政治家は自らに正義があるとし、民意を表現するデモをテロと言うが、デモ参加者はテロリストではない。発言は撤回しても許されるものではない。 

　国家は税金を払っている国民みんなのものである。政治家が国民にすべてを説明し、国民の意見を真摯に受け止めて政治を行うのが民主主義だと私は思う。 

Source： Asahi Shimbun（※要無料購読）