Ｆ３５部品輸出 一層の３原則緩和も検討せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 4, 2013)
Export of F-35 parts a chance to relax arms export ban
Ｆ３５部品輸出　一層の３原則緩和も検討せよ（3月3日付・読売社説）

We praise the government's decision regarding the U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jet, as it will not only reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance but also maintain and grow Japan's foundation for the production and technology of defense equipment.
　日米同盟の強化にも、日本の防衛生産・技術基盤の維持・育成にも役立つと評価できる。

The government decided Friday to exclude Japanese-made parts for the F-35, which will be the next mainstay fighter for the Air Self-Defense Force, from its ban on arms exports. Several countries, including Japan, are working with the United States on production of the F-35.
　政府が、航空自衛隊の次期主力戦闘機Ｆ３５の日米共同生産に伴う日本企業による部品輸出を、武器輸出３原則の例外として認めることを決めた。

The F-35 is a state-of-the-art fighter jet with stealth capability that makes the plane less detectable by radar.
　Ｆ３５は、レーダーに捕捉されにくいステルス性が特徴の最新鋭機だ。

The Defense Ministry will introduce a total of 42 F-35s, starting this fiscal year. Three domestic companies will manufacture their bodies, engines and other parts.
防衛省は今年度から計４２機を導入する予定で、国内３企業が機体、エンジンなどを製造する。

The introduction of F-35s is extremely important in terms of air defense because the international environment around Japan is deteriorating due to such factors as China's arms buildup and the nuclear threat from North Korea. We expect the government to proceed with their introduction as scheduled.
　中国の軍備増強や北朝鮮の核の脅威など日本の国際環境が悪化する中、防空面でのＦ３５導入は極めて重要だ。着実に進めたい。

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Boon for defense industry

The participation of Japanese firms in the production of the F-35 will allow them to acquire advanced technology and experience concerning a fighter jet. It will also enable the Japanese firms to maintain and repair the F-35s in Japan to improve their operating rate.
　Ｆ３５共同生産への日本企業の参画は、最先端の戦闘機技術やノウハウを吸収できるうえ、Ｆ３５の国内での修理・整備を可能にし、稼働率を高められる。

Furthermore, it will raise the level of the Japanese aircraft industry and enhance defense technology cooperation between Japan and the United States.
日本の航空機産業の高度化や日米防衛技術協力の強化にもつながろう。

This has significant meaning for the Japanese defense industry.
　この意義は大きい。

Next fiscal year's defense budget will see the first increase in 11 years. However, many defense-related companies have already gone bankrupt or withdrawn from the industry due to the decline in defense spending that continued for 10 consecutive years.
来年度の防衛予算は１１年ぶりに増えたが、１０年連続の減少で、多くの防衛関連企業が倒産・撤退している。

The weakening of the domestic foundation for production and technology of defense equipment may shake the nation's security.
　国内の防衛生産・技術基盤が弱体化することは、日本の安全保障をも揺るがしかねない。

A new logistic system, in which countries concerned mutually supply parts to reduce costs, was adopted for the joint production of the new fighter jet. Under the system, however, Japan-made parts could be transferred to Israel. This has caused concerns regarding compliance with Japan's three principles on arms exports, aimed at "avoiding any possible aggravation of international conflicts.
　Ｆ３５共同生産では、費用削減のため、関係国が部品を融通し合う新制度を採用している。日本製部品のイスラエルへの輸出も想定され、「国際紛争の助長を回避する」とした武器輸出３原則との整合性が問題視されていた。

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in a statement released by the government that the export of Japanese parts is approved on condition that exports are limited to countries that comply with the mission and principles of the U.N. Charter and that the United States administer strict export controls within the logistic system.
　政府が発表した菅官房長官談話は、Ｆ３５の部品輸出を容認する要件として、輸出先を「国連憲章の目的と原則に従う」国に限定することや、米国による一元的で厳格な輸出管理を挙げた。

For instance, the export of Japanese parts will not be approved to countries under sanctions imposed by the U.N. Security Council. We think this is a reasonable judgment.
　具体的には、国連安全保障理事会の制裁対象国などへの輸出は認めないという。妥当な判断だ。

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Japan caught in own trap

The statement avoids using expressions related to an "international conflict," which has various meanings. In addition to an invasive military action, it could also mean a fight against terrorism or self-defense.
　談話は「国際紛争」に関する表現は外した。そもそも「国際紛争」は様々な意味を持つ。侵略的な軍事行動だけでなく、「テロとの戦い」や自衛行動も含まれよう。

With just a few exceptions, Japan has banned arms exports, being caught in its own trap by the ambiguous concept that the nation aims to avoid "any possible aggravation of international conflicts."
　日本は、「国際紛争の助長」を避けるという曖昧な概念で自縄自縛に陥り、一部の例外を除いて、武器輸出を禁止してきた。

This has caused a vicious cycle in which domestically made weapons have become expensive and weighed on the defense budget, thereby delaying the introduction of advanced equipment to the Self-Defense Forces and debilitating the domestic defense industry.
　その結果、国産武器は割高になって防衛予算を圧迫し、自衛隊の最新装備の導入は遅れ、防衛産業も疲弊する悪循環を招いた。

Some members of the government have used the government's approval for the export of F-35 parts to call for a review of the three principles on arms exports.
　政府内では、Ｆ３５部品輸出の容認を機に、武器輸出３原則全体の見直し論も出ている。

We hope the government will give priority to the question of what is really significant for the safety of Japan, and study further relaxation of the three principles on arms exports, with certain brakes still applied.
　日本の安全にとって何が重要なのか。この点を最優先し、一定の歯止めをかけつつ、３原則の一層の緩和を検討してもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 3, 2013)
（2013年3月3日01時48分  読売新聞）