オスプレイ配備 政府は安全性の説明を尽くせ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jul. 12, 2012)
Govt must fully explain safety of Osprey
オスプレイ配備　政府は安全性の説明を尽くせ（7月11日付・読売社説）

It is important to evaluate and discuss the safety of the U.S. military's new transport aircraft in a coolheaded manner.
　米軍新型輸送機の安全性については、冷静に評価し、議論することが肝要である。

During his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the planned deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps' MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft in Japan, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba asked Washington to provide information on the causes of two crashes earlier this year involving the aircraft.
　玄葉外相がクリントン米国務長官と会談し、海兵隊の垂直離着陸機ＭＶ２２オスプレイの日本配備に関連して、今年発生した２件の墜落事故の原因の情報提供を要請した。

While Clinton pledged the United States would conduct thorough investigations into the aircraft's safety and share the results with Japan, she expressed no intention of changing the plan to deploy the Osprey in Japan.
　クリントン長官は、「安全性について調査を徹底的に行い、結果を日本と共有する」と約束するとともに、日本配備の方針は変更しない考えを表明した。

The United States should be given credit for its willingness to provide information to Japan. The Japanese government should collect information through such means as sending experts to the United States to closely examine the aircraft.
　日本への情報提供に前向きな米側の姿勢は評価できる。政府は、専門家の訪米などを通じて情報を収集し、吟味する必要がある。

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Opposition to deployment

Following the crash of an MV-22 Osprey in Morocco in April, a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey crashed during an exercise in mid-June in Florida.
　４月のモロッコにおけるＭＶ２２の墜落事故に続き、６月中旬には米フロリダ州で訓練中の空軍の同型機ＣＶ２２が墜落した。

The United States plans to deploy the MV-22 Osprey at Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, after temporarily stationing them at the U.S. Marine Corps' Iwakuni base in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture. However, local governments concerned have expressed their opposition to the deployment or temporary stationing of the aircraft, citing safety concerns.
　配備先の沖縄県宜野湾市の普天間飛行場や、一時駐機先である山口県岩国市の岩国基地の関係自治体は、安全性を懸念し、配備や駐機に反対している。

We believe the government must thoroughly explain the aircraft's safety to these local authorities to gain their understanding as much as possible.
　政府は、ＭＶ２２の安全性について関係自治体に丁寧に説明し、理解を広げなければならない。

As the causes of the accidents were not attributed to problems with the aircraft themselves, the U.S. military has not prohibited the aircraft from flying or taken similar measures.
　２件の事故原因は機体の問題ではないとされ、米軍は飛行禁止措置などを取っていない。

The shift from the CH-46 transport helicopters--which have been in operation for nearly four decades--to the new aircraft is not in itself a bad thing. Actually, from a safety standpoint, it would be more problematic to continue using the CH-46 for a long time.
　そもそも、４０年近く使用している輸送ヘリコプターＣＨ４６から新型輸送機への交代は、悪いことではない。むしろ老朽化した輸送ヘリを今後も長期間使い続けることの方が安全上の問題があろう。

The rate of serious MV-22 accidents resulting in death or damage of 2 million dollars or more is 1.93 per 100,000 flight hours. This rate is lower than the average rate of 2.45 for all marine corps aircraft.
　ＭＶ２２の１０万飛行時間当たりの重大事故（死亡または２００万ドル以上の損害を伴う事故）率は１・９３件で、海兵隊航空機の平均の２・４５件よりも低い。

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Enhanced capabilities

The deployment of the MV-22, which boasts high capabilities in terms of maximum speed and flight range, among other features, would enhance the U.S. military's capability to conduct civilian rescue operations and disaster relief activities. The deployment also would help improve the U.S. forces' assault landing operations and increase deterrence capabilities. These factors cannot be overlooked.
　一方で、最高速度、航続距離などの性能が優れるＭＶ２２の配備によって、米軍の民間人救出や災害救援の活動は強化される。強襲上陸作戦能力が向上し、抑止力が高まることも見逃せない。

In addition, the deployment would be in line with the U.S. military's strategy of increasing its presence in the west Pacific region to deal with the rapid rise of the Chinese military.
　中国の急速な軍事的台頭に対応し、西太平洋地域を重視する米軍戦略とも合致している。

The United States plans to deliver 12 Ospreys to Iwakuni later this month, then transport them to Okinawa Prefecture. As the retirement of CH-46 helicopters is under way, the circumstances do not allow for impediments to operations of the U.S. forces.
　米側は、今月下旬にオスプレイ１２機を岩国に搬入した後、沖縄に配備する予定だ。ＣＨ４６の退役が始まる中、部隊運用に支障を生じさせられない事情がある。

Reports on the accidents in Morocco and Florida are expected to be compiled later this month and in late August, respectively. The Japanese and U.S. governments have agreed not to fly the MV-22 in Japan until the reports are completed.
　モロッコの事故は今月下旬、フロリダの事故は８月末に報告書がまとまる見通しだ。日米両政府は、それまではＭＶ２２を日本で飛行させないことで一致している。

This is an adequate decision. It is important to realize the deployment of the aircraft in accordance with this agreement and take sufficient measures to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents.
　妥当な判断である。日米合意を順守し、事故の再発防止策をきちんと講じたうえ、配備を実現することが重要となろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 11, 2012)
（2012年7月11日01時40分 読売新聞）