英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun December 18, 2013
Build defensive system with clear policies under ‘proactive pacifism’
国家安保戦略　日本守り抜く体制を構築せよ（12月18日付・読売社説）

　◆「積極的平和主義」の具体化が急務

Japan’s security environment situation has rapidly become precarious in recent years. It is therefore significant that the government laid down, for the first time, comprehensive and systematic guiding principles for maintaining peace and security in the East Asian region.
　日本の安全保障環境は近年、急速に悪化している。東アジアの平和と安全の確保へ、包括的かつ体系的な指針を初めて定めた意義は大きい。

The government has decided on its national security strategy, a historic set of guidelines that replaces the nation’s Basic Policy for National Defense adopted in 1957.
　政府が国家安全保障戦略を決定した。１９５７年の「国防の基本方針」に代わる歴史的文書だ。

The strategy was drawn up by the National Security Council—a Japanese version of the NSC of the United States—launched earlier this month.
　今月上旬に発足した国家安全保障会議（日本版ＮＳＣ）が策定した。

It is historic that the government has put into process a motion to defend the national interest by marshaling the collective strength of the country, not only its defense capability but also its diplomatic, economic and technological capabilities.
防衛力だけでなく、外交・経済・技術力など国の総合力を駆使し、国益を守る道筋を描いたことは、画期的だと言える。

The strategy touts “proactive pacifism” as its principle, under which Japan will actively contribute to the peace and stability of the Asia and the broader international community.
　戦略は、国際社会とアジアの平和と安定に積極的に寄与するという「積極的平和主義」を基本理念に掲げている。

Defend national interests
　◆ＮＳＣ主導で国益守れ

North Korea has repeatedly taken provocative military actions by advancing its nuclear and missile development programs. Meanwhile, China has rapidly built up and modernized its own military capability, while attempting to change the status quo by force in areas near the Senkaku Islands by announcing a new air defense identification zone. We must also remain vigilant against international terrorism and cyber-attack threats.
　北朝鮮は核・ミサイル開発を進展させ、軍事的挑発を繰り返す。中国は軍備を急速に増強・近代化し、防空識別圏の設定など、尖閣諸島周辺で「力による現状変更」を試みている。国際テロやサイバー攻撃への警戒も怠れない。

It is difficult to singlehandedly maintain the security of our nation. By contributing to peace in the region and the global community, the situation in areas surrounding Japan will improve, and cooperation with other countries concerned, including the United States, will be strengthened. Such contributions will prove valuable for enhancing Japan’s security.
　日本単独で自国の安全を維持するのは難しい。世界と地域の平和に貢献することで、周辺情勢は改善され、米国など関係国との連携が強化される。日本の安全保障にも役立とう。

As long as Japan holds the position of a major player in the international community, it will have a say in drawing up various international rules, concerning, for instance, maritime activities and free trade.
　日本が国際社会の主要プレーヤーの地位にあれば、海洋活動や自由貿易など、様々な国際ルール作りで発言権を確保できる。

To this end, the promotion of the proactive pacifism will be key.
　そのために重要なのが、「積極的平和主義」の推進だ。

The strategy defines the peace and further prosperity of Japan as its national interests, while citing such challenges as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the rapid rise of China. It also defines strategic defense approaches, such as the formulation of the overall defense system and the reinforcement of the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　戦略は、日本の平和、更なる繁栄などを国益と定義し、大量破壊兵器の拡散、中国の台頭といった課題を列挙した。総合的な防衛体制の構築、日米同盟の強化などの戦略的アプローチも明示した。

It is critical that the NSC swiftly takes charge and reflects this strategy appropriately in concrete policies. Efforts must also be made to create a cycle in which the strategy can be changed in accord with fresh developments, enhancing and improving its content.
　ＮＳＣが主導し、この戦略を具体的な政策にきちんと反映させることが急務である。情勢の変化に応じて、戦略を修正し、より良い内容に高めていくサイクルを作り出す努力も欠かせない。

We are gratified that the strategy has referred to a policy of fostering respect for other countries and their people, in addition to love for this country and region.
　戦略が、安全保障の国内基盤を強化するため、国民が「諸外国に対する敬意を表し、我が国と郷土を愛する心を養う」方針に言及したのは前向きに評価できる。

Regarding new diplomatic and foreign policies, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he will clearly present them to the world and to its people.
　安倍首相は、新たな外交・安保政策について「国民、海外に対し透明性をもって示す」と語った。

It is important for Japan to give detailed explanations both at home and abroad to distinguish its diplomatic methods from the self-righteous methods of China.
中国の独善的な外交手法との違いを明確化するためにも、内外に丁寧な説明を行うことが大切だ。

Integrated defense capability
　◆「統合機動防衛力」整備を

The new version of the National Defense Program Guidelines, which the Cabinet has adopted along with the national security strategy, embraces a concept termed “dynamic joint defense force.” The idea is derived from “dynamic defense power,” a concept framed in the current basic defense program, which was enforced in 2010. The new concept attaches great importance to managing the three arms of the Self-Defense Forces in a flexible and integrated manner.
　安保戦略と同時に閣議決定された新しい防衛大綱は、「統合機動防衛力」という概念を打ち出した。２０１０年策定の現大綱の「動的防衛力」を発展させたもので、機動力に加えて陸海空３自衛隊の一体運用を重視するという。

The government has good reason to rework its basic defense framework to shore up our nation’s preparedness to deal with “gray-zone situations” that fall between peace and an emergency, a task that must be complemented by efforts to secure both a qualitative and quantitative improvement in the country’s defense capability.
　平時と有事の中間にある「グレーゾーンの事態」への対処を強化し、防衛力の「質」と「量」の両方を確保する方向性は妥当だ。

Japan is witnessing new threats today, even though the end of the Cold War virtually eliminated the danger of foreign armed forces invading the nation. New dangers include the possibility of remote Japanese islands being occupied by other countries, as well as ballistic missile attacks and acts of terrorism. Improving Japan’s defense capacity not only qualitatively but quantitatively is essential to reinforce surveillance efforts aimed at maintaining command of its territorial waters and airspace.
　冷戦後、日本本土への着上陸侵攻の恐れはほぼ消滅したが、離島占拠、弾道ミサイル、テロなど、新たな脅威が出現している。警戒監視活動を強化し、制海・制空権を維持するには、「質」と同様、「量」も確保せねばならない。

It is reasonable that the new defense program guidelines call for an increase in SDF destroyers and fighter planes, after a continuous decline in numbers over the years. The government should quickly introduce Global Hawk surveillance drones while also increasing the number of SDF early-warning aircraft.
　新大綱が、減少が続いていた護衛艦や戦闘機の数を増加に転じさせたのは適切である。無人偵察機グローバルホークの導入や早期警戒機の増強を急ぎたい。

The latest defense framework emphasizes the need to better defend the territorial integrity of isolated islands. It entails the addition of Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft to the lineup of Ground Self-Defense Force equipment and creation of an amphibious rapid deployment brigade.
　新大綱は、離島防衛の強化に力点を置き、陸上自衛隊への新型輸送機オスプレイの導入や水陸両用部隊の新設を明記した。

To defend remote islands, the SDF must improve its ability to swiftly mobilize troops. It is essential for the SDF to carry out joint exercises with the U.S. forces under various scenarios, while also reexamining the appropriateness of current restrictions on the use of weapons by SDF personnel in gray-zone situations.
　離島防衛には、迅速に部隊を動かす機動力の向上が重要だ。様々なシナリオを想定し、米軍との共同訓練を重ねるとともに、グレーゾーンの事態における武器使用のあり方を検討する必要がある。

However, it is questionable whether the number of GSDF personnel should be increased by 5,000 from the current 154,000 as laid out in the new defense program guidelines.
　疑問なのは、陸自の定数を現大綱の１５万４０００人から５０００人増やしたことである。

With the fiscal situation in dire straits, it is impossible to expect a large increase in defense budget appropriations. The nation’s defense capabilities should be improved in a manner that will allot funds where they are truly necessary and curtail appropriations where possible. 　厳しい国家財政の下、防衛予算の大幅な伸びは期待できず、防衛力整備のメリハリが不可欠だ。

The new defense policy outline is correct in reducing the number of SDF tanks and firearms. Similar cuts should have been sought in areas of lower priority.
新大綱は、戦車・火砲を減らしたように、優先順位の低い分野は合理化すべきだった。

We feel that maintaining the current level of GSDF personnel in Hokkaido may be intended to help alleviate problems arising from the prefecture’s increasing depopulation.
北海道の陸自定数維持は過疎対策ではないか。