不法入国者送還 「尖閣」管理へ海保の拡充を

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 19, 2012)
Govt must boost JCG power to control Senkaku Islands
不法入国者送還　「尖閣」管理へ海保の拡充を（8月18日付・読売社説）

The government should make further efforts to bolster the Japan Coast Guard's policing abilities to maintain and stably manage the Senkaku Islands.
　尖閣諸島を安定的に維持・管理するため、政府は、海上保安庁の警備体制の拡充に一層努めるべきである。

The government on Friday authorized the deportation of 14 people, including anti-Japan activists from Hong Kong, who were arrested earlier this week on suspicion of violating the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law by landing on Uotsurijima island, one of the Senkakus. Judicial proceedings against them were not taken because it was concluded their action did not constitute a serious violation of law, such as the obstruction of public duties.
　魚釣島への不法上陸事件で、政府は、出入国管理・難民認定法違反容疑で逮捕した香港の反日団体活動家ら１４人を強制送還処分とした。公務執行妨害などの重大な法令違反はない、として司法手続きは見送った。

Such a decision appears to be inevitable, but it is unlikely to bring down the curtain on this issue.
　やむを得ない対応だが、これで幕引きとはなるまい。

Anti-Japan groups such as the one based in Hong Kong have seen their funding boosted and are likely to step up their activities. There are signs that the latest Senkaku incident could develop into anti-Japan protests throughout China.
　香港などの反日団体は、資金力を高め、活動を活発化させる公算が大きい。中国国内の反日デモも拡大しかねない雰囲気がある。

The government should press China again not to ignore such provocative acts by private groups.
　政府は中国側に、こうした民間団体の挑発行為を放置しないよう改めて強く求めるべきである。

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Be cautious of China's tactics

Regarding measures to prevent further illegal intrusions onto the islands, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said at a press conference, "Ministers concerned will swiftly deal with the matter."
　藤村官房長官は記者会見で、再発防止策について「関係閣僚で迅速に対応していく」と述べた。

Members of the government must share the same recognition of what is at stake and establish a system to quickly eliminate illegal acts.
政府内で、何が問題なのか認識を共有し、不法行為を速やかに排除できる体制を整えねばならない。

There is concern that the Chinese government could try to take control of events if another incident like this one flares up in the future.
　今回のような事件がエスカレートすれば、中国政府が前面に出てくることも懸念される。

China has expanded its effective control of the South China Sea, where it has territorial disputes with neighboring countries, by having fishing boats enter disputed waters and then deploying fisheries patrol vessels and warships for the ostensible purpose of protecting the fishing boats.
　中国は、周辺国と領有権を争う南シナ海において、まず漁船を出漁させ、これを保護する名目などで漁業監視船や巡視船、軍艦を投入し、実効支配を広げてきた。

The situation of the East China Sea, where the Senkaku Islands are located, differs from that of the South China Sea, but the government needs to be cautious to prevent Beijing from using similar tactics.
　尖閣諸島を含む東シナ海は事情が異なるが、中国に同様の手法を取らさぬよう警戒が必要だ。

China reportedly plans to increase its number of patrol vessels to 520 by 2020, including ones to be deployed in the East China Sea.
　中国は、２０２０年までに巡視船を５２０隻へ倍増する方針だ。一部は東シナ海に配備される。

In contrast, the JCG has basically taken a scrap-and-build strategy for patrol vessels. A significant increase from the current fleet of about 360 patrol vessels would be difficult. The JCG is bound to be overtaken by its Chinese counterparts in terms of both quality and quantity. The time has come for Japan to consider plans to expand JCG power.
　これに対し、海保の巡視船艇はスクラップ・アンド・ビルドが原則で、計約３６０隻体制からの大幅増は困難だ。海保が、中国海洋当局に質、量ともに凌(りょう)駕(が)される事態も否定できない。計画的拡充を検討すべき時期に来ている。

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Buildup plans for JCG needed

We suggest the government create mid- and long-term buildup plans for the JCG, analogous to the National Defense Program Outline and the Mid-Term Defense Program for the Self-Defense Forces.
　その際、自衛隊の防衛大綱や中期防衛力整備計画のように、海保が中長期的な装備導入計画を策定することも考慮してはどうか。

During a plenary session of the House of Representatives in July, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said, "The government will respond firmly [to intrusions on Japanese territory including the Senkaku Islands] and use the SDF if necessary."
　野田首相は７月の衆院本会議で尖閣諸島などへの不法行為があった場合、「必要に応じて自衛隊を用いることを含め、政府全体で毅然(きぜん)として対応する」と語った。

The SDF needs to speed up work to increase its surveillance of the Nansei Islands to counter China's naval buildup.
　自衛隊は、中国海軍の増強を踏まえ、南西諸島の警戒体制の強化を急ぐ必要がある。

The presence of the U.S. military is also important. The Senkaku Islands fall within areas for Japan-U.S. joint defense.
　尖閣諸島を共同防衛の対象とする米軍の存在も重要である。

The U.S. deployment of new MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft to Okinawa Prefecture would enhance the mobility of U.S. marines in times of emergency. It would also be conducive to protecting the Senkaku Islands. The latest Senkaku incident reaffirms the need for the deployment.
　米海兵隊の新型輸送機ＭＶ２２オスプレイの沖縄配備は、緊急時の海兵隊の機動力を高め、尖閣諸島の防衛にも資する。今回の事件はその必要性を再認識させたのではないだろうか。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 18, 2012)
（2012年8月18日01時38分 読売新聞）