英字新聞

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan-Australia partnership crucial to improve defense of Asia-Pacific
日豪首脳会談　「特別な関係」築く安保協力を

Japan and Australia are strategic partners that share the responsibility of fostering peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. We urge the two countries to deepen their mutual relationship on the occasion of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Australia.
　日本と豪州は、アジア太平洋の平和と安定への責任を共有する戦略的パートナーだ。安倍首相の訪豪を機に、協力関係を一層深化させたい。

In his talks with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Tuesday, Abe explained Japan’s reinterpretation of the Constitution to allow limited exercise of the right of collective self-defense.
　安倍首相はアボット豪首相に、集団的自衛権行使を限定的に容認する新たな政府見解を説明した。

Abe stressed that the aim of the reinterpretation was to “protect the lives and peaceful livelihood of the people and let Japan play a more proactive role in the international community.”
「国民の命と平和な暮らしを守り抜くとともに、国際社会でより積極的な役割を果たすことを可能とするものだ」と強調した。

Abbott welcomed Japan’s move and credited Japan as being a peace-loving country, saying that “Japan has been...an exemplary international citizen in the postwar era.”
　アボット首相は日本の取り組みを歓迎した。共同記者会見では「日本は戦後、ずっと模範的な国際市民だった」と述べ、平和国家としての歩みを評価した。

The reinterpretation enables Japan to exercise its collective self-defense right and order the Self-Defense Forces to protect Australian vessels when an emergency occurs on the Korean Peninsula or elsewhere.
　新見解により、朝鮮半島有事などの際、自衛隊が集団的自衛権を行使し、豪軍艦船などを防護できるようになる。

During a speech to the Australian Parliament, Abe said, “Australia and Japan have now freed ourselves from one old layer and are now moving towards a new ‘special relationship.’” We concur with Abe’s view.
安倍首相が豪議会での演説で「日豪は新たな『特別な関係』へ、歴史的脱皮を遂げた」と指摘したのも、うなずける。

Abe and Abbott signed an accord on the joint development of defense equipment. Australia is interested in Japan’s submarine technology, and the two countries are scheduled to conduct a joint study on the fluid mechanics of ships. We urge the two nations to steadily continue cooperation in this respect.
　両首脳は、防衛装備品の共同開発に関する協定に署名した。豪州は、日本の潜水艦技術に関心を示しており、当面、船舶の流体力学分野を共同研究する。こうした装備協力を着実に進めるべきだ。

Trilateral cooperation

It also is essential to expand joint exercises between the SDF and the armed forces of Australia and the United States, an ally of both Japan and Australia.
　自衛隊、豪軍と、両国の同盟国である米軍による３か国の共同訓練の拡充も欠かせない。

China has been trying to change the status quo in the East and South China seas by force. Australia has strong economic ties with China, but like Japan and the United States it places emphasis on the rule of law. It is important for the three nations to join hands and tenaciously press China to exercise restraint.
　中国は東・南シナ海で、力による現状変更を試みている。豪州は、中国との経済関係は強いが、「法の支配」を重視する立場では、日米と足並みをそろえている。日米豪の協力により、中国に粘り強く自制を促すことが重要である。

Abe and Abbott also signed an economic partnership agreement. Japan will reduce tariffs on Australian beef, while Australia’s tariffs on Japan’s medium-sized cars will be removed. The two nations will work for early enforcement of the agreement.
　日豪首脳は、経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）にも調印した。日本は豪州産牛肉の関税を引き下げる。日本製中型車などの関税は撤廃される。早期の発効を目指す。

The two leaders also agreed to cooperate to bring about the early conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral trade negotiations.
　環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉の早期妥結へ、日豪が協力することでも合意した。

Prior to his visit to Australia, Abe held talks in New Zealand with Prime Minister John Key. Abe and Key confirmed that they will work proactively for a conclusion of the TPP talks.
　豪州に先立ち、首相はニュージーランドを訪問し、キー首相との会談の中でも、ＴＰＰ交渉の妥結に向けて精力的に取り組む方針を確認した。

Promotion of free trade is one of the main pillars of the Abe administration’s growth strategy. It is imperative that the administration work hard on opening up its market on farm produce and other products and play an active role in concluding the TPP talks as early as possible.
　自由貿易の推進は、安倍政権の成長戦略の重要な柱だ。農産物の市場開放などに努め、早期妥結へ役割を果たさねばならない。

Abe will next head for Papua New Guinea. It will be the first time in 29 years for a Japanese prime minister to visit the island nation. In talks with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, the two leaders are expected to reach an agreement to cooperate on natural gas development.
　首相は今回、島嶼とうしょ国のパプアニューギニアも訪れる。日本の首相の訪問は２９年ぶりだ。オニール首相と会談し、天然ガス開発の協力などで一致する見通しだ。

In the western Pacific, China is increasing its influence over the Pacific Islands by supporting the building and renovation of harbors and ports. It therefore is important for Japan to build trust in the region through cooperation in such fields as disaster prevention and human resources development.
　西太平洋では、中国が島嶼国の港湾整備などを支援し、影響力を強めている。日本は、防災や人材育成などの分野で協力し、各国と信頼関係を築くことが大切だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 9, 2014)