英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun September 28, 2013
Realize right to collective defense in pursuit of ‘proactive pacifism’
集団的自衛権　「積極的平和主義」を追求せよ（9月27日付・読売社説）

This country must make a more proactive contribution to peace and stability in Asia and the world.
　アジアや世界の平和と安定へ、日本が従来よりも積極的に貢献する。

A review of the government interpretation of the Constitution concerning the right to collective self-defense is a prerequisite to realizing the new ideal of “proactive pacifism” declared by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
　安倍首相が掲げる「積極的平和主義」という新たな理念の具体化には、集団的自衛権に関する政府の憲法解釈の見直しが欠かせない。

Delivering a speech Wednesday in New York on the subject of Japan’s right to collective self-defense, Abe expressed his strong desire to change the Japanese government’s interpretation of the Constitution, in which the government has adopted the view that this country has the right to collective self-defense but is banned from exercising it.
　首相がニューヨークで講演し、集団的自衛権について、「行使できない」とする現行の憲法解釈の変更に強い意欲を表明した。

Abe cited two cases in which this constitutional constraint could pose problems. In one scenario, the Self-Defense Forces would not be able to help foreign troops working with the SDF in a U.N. peacekeeping operation even if the foreign troops came under attack. In the other, Japan would not be able to help a U.S. warship operating around Japan if the ship were attacked by an airplane in international waters.
　問題となる具体例として、自衛隊による国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）中の他国部隊への「駆け付け警護」と、公海上における米軍艦船の防護の二つに言及した。

The prime minister rightly pointed out in the speech that “threats see no borders” in the world today. Such menaces as ballistic missiles, the spread of weapons of mass destruction and international terrorist activities, as well as cyber-attacks, have undeniably been increasing.
　「いまや脅威がボーダーレスとなった」との首相の指摘は適切だ。弾道ミサイルや大量破壊兵器の拡散、国際テロ、サイバー攻撃などの脅威は確実に増している。

In addition to enhancing its own defense capabilities, it is essential for this country to enhance the Japan-U.S. alliance, while also expanding cooperation with other countries concerned.
　日本の防衛能力の向上に加え、日米同盟を強化し、米国以外の関係国との連携も拡充する必要がある。

To this end, the task of enabling this country to exercise its right to collective self-defense must urgently be addressed.
それには集団的自衛権の行使を可能にすることが急務だ。

In the years immediately after World War II, it was somewhat worthwhile to interpret as strictly as possible the security-related stipulations of the Constitution, restricting the role of the SDF. Today, however, the nation must squarely face up to the reality that rigid interpretation of the supreme law is hobbling efforts to ensure the nation’s security.
　戦後間もない時代には、憲法を極力厳格に解釈し、自衛隊の役割を限定することに一定の意味があった。だが、今は、硬直した憲法解釈が日本の安全の足かせとなっている現実を直視すべきだ。

Requirements of the times

Over the period from the war’s end to this day, the security environment surrounding the country and the public’s evaluation of the SDF have changed dramatically. A review of the interpretation of the Constitution is definitely in line with the requirements of the times.
　この間、日本の安全保障環境や、国民の自衛隊に対する評価は劇的に変化した。憲法解釈の見直しは時代の要請にほかならない。

In a meeting with reporters later Wednesday, Abe said he was not in favor of a “geographical philosophy of [ruling out action on] the other side of the world.” He also said he weighs “what is closely linked with the people’s life, property and national interests.”
　安倍首相は記者団との懇談で、解釈変更に伴う自衛隊の活動に関し、「地理的な概念で『地球の裏側』（は除外する）との考え方はしない」と語った。「国民の生命と財産、国益に密着するか、という観点はある」とも述べた。

His remarks apparently alluded to concerns being expressed by some regarding constitutional interpretation that Abe may want SDF troops to be dispatched to far-flung locales to fight alongside U.S. forces.
　解釈変更について「自衛隊が地球の裏側まで行き、米軍と一緒に戦うのか」といった懸念があるのを意識した発言だ。

The intention not to impose geographical constraints on the SDF, while deciding flexibly on SDF activities in accordance with developments in events, is quite reasonable.
自衛隊の活動に地理的制約は設けず、事態の態様に応じて判断すべきだ、との考え方は理にかなっている。

For instance, it is conceivable that SDF troops could be in charge of removing mines in the Persian Gulf to ensure the safety of sea lanes in the Gulf used by Japan. Should an event occur in which Japanese nationals are once again taken hostage in Africa, SDF troops could be sent to their rescue.
　例えば、日本の海上交通路（シーレーン）の安全確保のため、自衛隊がペルシャ湾で機雷を除去することが想定される。アフリカで再び邦人が人質になれば、自衛隊を派遣する可能性もあろう。

Obviously, there should be some curbs on SDF activities, but it should be noted that accurately foreseeing the possibility of a grave emergency is a near impossibility. To enable this country to cope effectively with a diverse range of emergencies, endeavors to secure a wide range of legal alternatives are the core of national security.
　無論、自衛隊の活動に歯止めは必要だが、どんな重大事態が発生するかを予測するのは困難だ。様々な事態に対処できるように、法律上の選択肢は幅広く確保することが安全保障の要諦である。

As a matter of practical thinking, whether to have SDF troops actually take part in international operations, and what activities they should engage in, should be the subject of a comprehensive judgment by the government in place when a crisis arises, while appropriate limitations on SDF activities should be ensured through such means as requiring approval by the Diet.
　実際に自衛隊が参加するか、どんな活動をするかは、時の政府が総合的に判断し、国会の承認を得るなどの方法で歯止めをかけるのが現実的な対応だろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 27, 2013)
（2013年9月27日01時03分 読売新聞）