英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 28, 2009)
SDF must protect against a wayward DPRK missile
破壊措置命令　北のミサイルに冷静に備えよ（3月28日付・読売社説）

It is essential for national security that measures be taken to prepare for emergencies. We hope the Self-Defense Forces will take all necessary measures to protect this nation if North Korea launches a missile and it malfunctions.
　万一の事態を想定し、様々な対応策をとるのは安全保障の要諦(ようてい)だ。自衛隊は、万全の準備を進めてもらいたい。

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada ordered the SDF for the first time Friday to destroy the North Korean missile if it fails after launch and falls toward Japanese territory.
　浜田防衛相が、北朝鮮の弾道ミサイルが日本に落下した場合は迎撃するよう、自衛隊に初の「破壊措置命令」を下した。

The SDF will take a two-step approach, involving both ground- and sea-based defenses. Two Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers will soon be dispatched to the Sea of Japan, while Air Self-Defense Force guided-missile units will be deployed in the Tohoku region and surrounding areas that are located under the expected flight path of the ballistic missile.
　海上自衛隊のイージス艦２隻が近く、日本海に派遣される。航空自衛隊の地対空誘導弾部隊も、弾道ミサイルの飛行ルートの下に位置する東北地方などに展開する。海上と地上からの２段構えの迎撃態勢をとる。

It is important to act calmly as North Korea's missile launch approaches.
　北朝鮮のミサイルには、冷静に対応することが重要だ。

North Korea has said it will "put a satellite into orbit" and that Japan is not a target of its rocket launch.
　北朝鮮は「人工衛星の打ち上げ」を主張しており、日本が標的になっている訳ではない。

If the missile travels without any mishap, it will not fall on the Japanese mainland or waters.
ミサイルが正常に飛行すれば、日本の領土・領海内に落下することはない。

A problem could occur, however, if a rare mishap occurs involving certain malfunctions, such as one in which the missile's first-stage booster functions properly, but the second-stage booster then malfunctions, causing the missile to stall and fall on Japan.
　問題になるのは、ミサイルの１段目は正常に飛行した後、２段目が故障し、失速して日本に落下するなど、偶然が重なる、極めて限られたケースだ。

If that were to occur, people's lives and property would be at risk. It is natural that the SDF should then try to intercept a missile to minimize possible damage.
　その場合は、国民の生命や財産に被害が生じかねない。自衛隊が迎撃し、被害の最小化を図るのは当然のことだ。

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United States within range

The North Korean weapon that poses the most direct threat to Japan is the Rodong intermediate-range ballistic missile, which is capable of hitting any point on the Japanese archipelago.
　そもそも日本にとっての脅威は、日本列島を射程に収める中距離弾道ミサイル・ノドンだ。

North Korea's long-range ballistic missile widens the threat to include the United States, which now finds itself exposed to danger because Alaska, Hawaii and Guam come within range.
北朝鮮の長距離ミサイルが脅威となるのは、グアムやハワイ、アラスカなどが射程に入る米国である。

U.S. spy satellites have been used to confirm missile launch preparations at an early stage.
　今回、発射の兆候が早期に確認されたのは、米国の偵察衛星情報によるものだ。

If the SDF tries to intercept the missile, U.S. early-warning satellites also would detect the missile launch and Japanese and U.S. radars would then track it.
迎撃時にも、米国の早期警戒衛星が発射を探知し、日米のレーダーで追尾する。

It is important that Japan and the United States closely share information and strengthen operational cooperation for that purpose.
　自衛隊と米軍が緊密に情報を共有し、運用面での連携を強化することが大切だ。

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Keep worried citizens informed

When North Korea launched seven ballistic missiles that fell into the Sea of Japan in July 2006, information on the missile launch sent by the central government to local governments and related organizations nationwide was delayed. Taking this into account, the central government will this time brief residents who live under the missile flight path on the deployment of guided missile units and how a wayward missile would be intercepted.
　２００６年７月に７発の弾道ミサイルが発射された時には、政府から自治体や関係機関への連絡が遅れた。その教訓を踏まえ、政府は今回、事前に地元説明会などを開いている。

Before North Korea actually launches a missile, the Japanese government should put in place a system that allows it to swiftly convey all necessary information to people concerned to minimize public anxiety.
　実際のミサイル発射時にも、国民の不安を軽減するよう、必要な情報を迅速に関係者に伝える体制を整えておくべきだろう。

North Korea has announced it will put a "satellite" into orbit sometime between April 4 and 8, notifying aviation and maritime organizations of its plan in accordance with international norms. Japan, together with South Korea and the United States, must make diplomatic efforts until the last minute to call for a halt to the missile launch, while trying to gain the cooperation of countries such as China and Russia.
　北朝鮮は４月４〜８日のミサイル発射を予告している。日本は、同じ立場の米韓両国とともに、中国やロシアなどの協力も得つつ、発射の中止を求める外交努力をぎりぎりまで尽くす必要がある。

If North Korea goes ahead and launches a missile despite such efforts, Japan should put the issue before the U.N. Security Council where a strict response can be discussed. We must avoid a situation in which Pyongyang escapes criticism or additional sanctions for choosing to launch a missile.
　それでも発射した場合は、国連安全保障理事会に提起し、厳しい対応を協議すべきだ。北朝鮮が、追加制裁も非難も受けず、何の代償も求められないような事態は許してはなるまい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 28, 2009)
（2009年3月28日01時34分 読売新聞）