続投、何ゆえに？
　小泉純一郎首相、与党内の対立候補を退け、総選挙に備え内閣を再改造
小泉首相は何より、不評の学界出身閣僚で銀行改革と経済政策全般を兼務する
竹中平蔵氏に対し自民党内反対派が突き付けた更迭要求を黙殺した。 ...more
Still in charge; now what? (English version)
Japan's prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, has defeated a challenge
from within his ruling party and reshuffled his cabinet as he prepares
for a general election. Most importantly, Mr Koizumi ignored the bull's-eye
that his LDP opponents had painted on the chest of Heizo Takenaka, an
unpopular academic whose two portfolios include oversight of bank reform
and overall economic policy. ...more


富者、貧者
　中国の所得不平等が急拡大、とくに都市部・農村部の間で顕著
中国が計画経済からの移行を開始した1978年、都市住民の平均所得は農村部の約2.5倍
だった。 ...more
Rich man, poor man (English version)
Income inequality, especially between town and country, has risen sharply
in China. At the start of China's move away from central planning in 1978,
the average income of urban residents was about 2.5 times that of their
rural counterparts. ...more


為替相場をめぐる論争
　為替相場は市場が決すべきとするG7に対し、G7メンバーの日本は、多少の介入が必要
とみる火曜日（23日）の取引で、円相場は約3年ぶりの高水準となる1ドル＝110円85銭まで
上昇した。月曜日（22日）には、日経平均株価がここ2年で最大の下げ幅を記録している。
...more
Wrangling over exchange rates (English version)
The G7 says that markets should set exchange rates. But one of the seven
- Japan - thinks they need a little help.
During trading on Tuesday, the yen strengthened to 110.85 to the dollar,
its strongest level in almost three years. On Monday, the Nikkei suffered its
worst percentage loss in two years. ...more