安保・憲法 脅威を直視して議論を深めよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 5, 2010)
Deepen talks on security, constitutional revision
安保・憲法　脅威を直視して議論を深めよ（7月4日付・読売社説）

Japan is surrounded by security concerns including North Korea's nuclear missile development and its sinking of a South Korean naval patrol ship, China's military buildup, friction with neighboring countries and the threat of international terrorism.
　北朝鮮による核ミサイル開発や韓国哨戒艦の沈没事件、中国の軍備増強や周辺国との摩擦、国際テロの脅威――。

Each political party must squarely face these situations and use the opportunity of the House of Councillors election to deepen discussions about the future of our country's security.
　こうした日本を取り巻く状況を直視すれば、各政党は参院選を機に、我が国の安全保障のあり方について、もっと議論を深める必要がある。

In its manifesto for the upper house poll, the Democratic Party of Japan has touted its intention to continue Japan's antipiracy activities and draw up, within this year, National Defense Program Guidelines and a midterm defense buildup program based on the international situation.
　民主党は参院選公約に、海賊対処活動の継続や、国際情勢を踏まえた防衛計画の大綱と中期防衛力整備計画の年内策定を掲げた。

Each of these tasks must be performed as a matter of course. However, the manifesto of the DPJ is not entirely satisfactory, as it is the party in power and responsible for the country's security. The DPJ should at least present the general direction--specifically, what kind of National Defense Program Guidelines it will pursue.
　いずれも当然のことだが、日本の安全保障に責任を持つ政権党の公約としては物足りない。最低でもどんな防衛大綱を目指すのか、その方向性を示すべきだろう。

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DPJ election vows too abstract

The DPJ has mentioned its intention to review the five principles governing Japan's participation in peacekeeping operations, saying it "will discuss future international contributions of the Self-Defense Forces and civilians." However, the expression is abstract, making it difficult to understand what the party specifically means.
　「自衛隊および文民の国際貢献活動のあり方について検討する」として、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）参加５原則の見直しを視野に入れているというが、抽象的な表現のため、分かりづらい。

The Liberal Democratic Party's campaign pledges on national security policy go substantially deeper, stipulating for example the resumption of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the Indian Ocean. They also promise the establishment of a basic law on national security that would include a review of the government's interpretation of the Constitution concerning the right of collective self-defense, and the establishment of a permanent law on the dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces overseas.
　自民党の公約は、インド洋での給油活動の再開、集団的自衛権の憲法解釈見直しを含む安全保障基本法や、自衛隊の海外派遣に関する恒久法の制定を明記するなど、相当踏み込んだ内容となった。

The direction in which the LDP is heading--strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance and steadily fulfilling Japan's obligations as a member of international society--is correct.
　日米同盟を強化し、日本が国際社会の一員としての責務を着実に果たすという方向性は正しい。

However, it must be asked: Why did the LDP never actively work to develop the legislation when it was a ruling party? The LDP will not be able to gain the people's support if, as an opposition party, it so easily incorporates such items in its manifesto.
　だが、なぜ与党時代にこれらの法整備に積極的に取り組まなかったのか。野党の立場で気楽に公約に盛り込んだのだとしたら、国民の支持は得られまい。

New Komeito's platform meshes international pacifism with action, while the People's New Party is calling for strengthening the nation's autonomous defense capability.
　公明党は「行動する国際平和主義」を訴え、国民新党は自主防衛力の強化を主張している。

It is desirable that the ruling and opposition parties should have a common understanding of national security policy. We hope all the parties will engage in a more active debate on these matters.
　安全保障政策は本来、与野党の垣根を越えて、共通認識を形成することが望ましい。もっと活発な論議を期待したい。

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Charter reform top LDP priority

Meanwhile, it is indispensible that national security policy be debated against the backdrop of constitutional revision.
　安全保障を論じる際に欠かせないのが、憲法改正の視点だ。

It is worth noting the LDP gave top priority in its manifesto to activating the Deliberative Council on the Constitution in each chamber of the Diet to work, as well as submitting draft constitutional revisions to the legislature.
　自民党が公約のトップに、衆参両院の憲法審査会の始動と、「憲法改正原案」の国会提出を据えたのは、注目すべきことだ。

The PNP, the Sunrise Party of Japan and the New Renaissance Party also are favorably disposed toward revising the Constitution. New Komeito's campaign platform called for adding new clauses to the Constitution while maintaining the charter's existing provisions. The Japanese Communist Party and Social Democratic Party oppose any constitutional amendment.
　国民新党やたちあがれ日本、新党改革も憲法改正に前向きだ。公明党は、現在の条項を維持したうえで新たな条項を追加する「加憲」を掲げている。共産、社民両党は憲法改正に反対の立場だ。

What we wonder is why the DPJ, which holds the reins of government, mentioned nothing about constitutional issues. In its manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election, the DPJ stipulated it would cautiously and positively discuss constitutional revisions, which is nonsensical. It can only be said the DPJ has backed away further from tackling the issue ahead of the impending upper house poll.
　疑問なのは、政権を担う民主党が公約で、憲法問題に何も言及していないことだ。昨年の政権公約も「慎重かつ積極的に検討」と意味不明だったが、さらに後退したと言わざるを得ない。

The DPJ's attitude, in which it avoids debate on the Constitution, is all the more irresponsible given that the National Referendum Law, which clarifies the procedures for implementing a special plebiscite to revise the Constitution, came into effect in May.
　憲法改正の手続きを定めた国民投票法が今年５月に施行されたのに、憲法論議を回避する姿勢はあまりに無責任だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 4, 2010)
（2010年7月4日01時19分 読売新聞）