防衛予算 将来見据えて削減に歯止めを

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Oct. 26, 2012)
Stop defense budget cuts, keep eye on future
防衛予算　将来見据えて削減に歯止めを（10月25日付・読売社説）

Improvement of defense capabilities cannot be achieved overnight. It is time to stop slashing defense-related spending and start strengthening the Self-Defense Forces in earnest with an eye to Japan's security environment five to 10 years from now.
　防衛力の整備は一朝一夕にはできない。５年後、１０年後の日本の安全保障環境を見据えて、防衛関係費の削減に歯止めをかけ、自衛隊の態勢強化に本格的に着手する時である。

The Defense Ministry has requested 4,585.1 billion yen in budget appropriations for next fiscal year, down 1.3 percent from the previous fiscal year. Is it all right for the defense budget in fiscal 2013 to fall for the 11th year in a row?
　２０１３年度予算の防衛費の概算要求は前年度比１・３％減の４兆５８５１億円となった。このまま来年度予算が１１年連続のマイナスになっても良いのだろうか。

If part of a request for budget appropriations from the special account for reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake is included, the defense budget will mark an increase from the previous fiscal year. However, that includes funds to restore damaged defense-related facilities and equipment.
　東日本大震災の復興特別会計の分を含めれば、前年度比プラスだが、それには被災した施設や装備の復旧分も含まれている。

The defense budget in the initial fiscal 2012 budget dropped by about 300 billion yen from its peak in fiscal 2002. The total decline over the past 10 years comes to as much as 1.8 trillion yen.
　防衛費は今年度当初予算で、ピークの０２年度から約３０００億円減少し、１０年間の減少額は累積約１兆８０００億円にも上る。

Defense spending cuts have caused many problems. The maintenance costs currently necessary to extend the life of ships and aircraft exceed the cost of procuring new equipment, causing equipment procurement to be delayed and the defense industry to decline. Twenty percent of SDF facilities are obsolete, aged 50 years or older.
　防衛費削減は数々の弊害を生んでいる。艦船や航空機の寿命を延ばすため、装備の整備維持費が新規調達費を上回る事態となり、調達の遅延や、防衛産業の衰退を招いている。築５０年以上の老朽施設も全施設の２割を占める。

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Russia and China bulking up

The fact that Russia and China increased their defense spending by 5.3 times and 3.4 times, respectively, over the past 10 years cannot be overlooked. While countries such as the United States, South Korea and Australia have increased their defense spending substantially, only Japan has cut it, due to financial difficulty and other reasons.
　見過ごせないのは、この１０年間、ロシアが国防費を５・３倍、中国が３・４倍に伸ばしたことだ。米国、韓国、豪州などもこぞって大幅に増やす中、日本だけが財政難などを理由に減らしてきた。

In particular, vigilance must be exercised regarding the Chinese military's buildup of its equipment and expansion of its activities.
　特に、中国軍の装備増強と活動範囲の拡大は警戒を要する。

In September, an aircraft carrier was commissioned into the navy of the People's Liberation Army. On Oct. 16, seven Chinese naval vessels passed through the contiguous zone near Yonagunijima island. On Oct. 19, Chinese naval ships staged joint exercises with vessels from the State Oceanic Administration and other organizations in the East China Sea on the premise of trouble around the Senkaku Islands.
　海軍は９月、空母を就役させた。艦船７隻が今月１６日、与那国島近くの接続水域を通過した。１９日には東シナ海で、尖閣諸島周辺でのトラブルを想定した国家海洋局などとの合同演習を実施した。

In light of China's recent high-handed attitude over the Senkakus, the nation must be prepared for Beijing to expand its activities to make its presence felt in the medium and long terms.
　尖閣諸島をめぐる中国の最近の高圧的な姿勢を見れば、中国軍の示威活動は中長期的に拡大していくと覚悟せざるを得ない。

The Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Air Self-Defense Force have strengthened their vigilance and surveillance activities against the Chinese military. However, because patrol planes stationed in Okinawa Prefecture are insufficient, the MSDF and ASDF are only able to engage in those activities by redeploying resources from other parts of the country.
　海上・航空自衛隊は中国軍への警戒監視活動を強化しているが、沖縄駐在の哨戒機では足りず、全国からの応援で対応している。

China's defense spending is currently more than 50 percent greater than that of Japan. If its defense spending continues to increase at the current pace, this gap will widen to 500 percent 10 years from now. The situation is extremely grave.
　中国の国防費は現在、日本の１・５倍強だ。今の増額ペースが続けば、１０年後にはその差が５倍に広がる。極めて深刻な事態だ。

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Make SDF bigger, more dynamic

It is essential to use the defense budget efficiently and review the SDF's current setup. To prioritize a buildup of "dynamic defense capabilities" in the southwestern region of the country, it is necessary to further reduce the number of Ground Self-Defense Force personnel, garrisons, tanks and artillery in other areas, mainly Hokkaido.
　防衛予算を効率的に使い、自衛隊の態勢を見直すことが大切だ。海自や空自など、南西方面の「動的防衛力」の強化を優先するには、北海道を中心に、陸上自衛隊の定数や駐屯地、戦車・火砲の削減を一層進める必要がある。

Since the end of the Cold War, Japan has beefed up Japan-U.S. defense cooperation by continually improving defense capabilities with a focus on quality rather than quantity. But from now on, Japan must seriously consider reinforcing the SDF while giving consideration to its quantity as well.
　日本は冷戦終結後、量より質を重視した防衛力整備を続け、日米の防衛協力を強化してきた。今後は、量にも配慮した自衛隊の拡充を真剣に考えねばなるまい。

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said he will protect the nation's territorial land and sea "with unwavering resolve." He should reflect that resolve in the budget.
　野田首相は「不退転の覚悟で」領土・領海を守ると言う以上、その覚悟を予算に反映すべきだ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 25, 2012)
（2012年10月25日02時03分  読売新聞）