日台漁業協定 戦略的外交で「尖閣」を守れ

[The Yomiuri Shimbun] April 12, 2013
Japan-Taiwan fisheries pact strategic diplomacy tool to protect Senkakus
日台漁業協定　戦略的外交で「尖閣」を守れ（4月11日付・読売社説）

The Japan-Taiwan fisheries agreement will have a significant impact on preserving Japan's sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
　沖縄県の尖閣諸島における日本の主権を守る上で大きな意味を持つ。

It also demonstrates the direction of the diplomacy being pursued by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to reinforce strategic relations with China's neighbors to keep the country in check.
　中国の周辺国・地域との戦略的関係を強化し、中国を牽制(けんせい)する安倍外交の方向性を示したと言える。

Japan and Taiwan reopened official negotiations for the first time in four years over fishing activities in waters near the Senkaku Islands and signed a bilateral agreement on private fishing activities.
　日本と台湾が、４年ぶりに尖閣諸島周辺の漁業を巡って本交渉を再開して「日台民間漁業取り決め」で合意し、調印した。

The pillar of the agreement is the establishment of a zone exempt from the fishing-related laws of both Japan and Taiwan within Japan's exclusive economic zone, set outside Japan's territorial waters. This will allow Taiwan fishermen to operate in the zone, in addition to another special cooperative operational zone specified in the agreement.
　日本の領海の外に設定された排他的経済水域（ＥＥＺ）の一部に「法令適用除外水域」などを設け、台湾漁船の操業を認めることが柱だ。

The agreement does not allow Taiwan fishing boats to operate in Japanese territorial waters.
日本領海への台湾漁船の立ち入りは、認めていない。

Concerning the Senkaku Islands, both China and Taiwan have claimed territorial rights on the islets. In September last year, many Taiwan fishing boats entered the Japanese territorial waters near the Senkakus. China had called on Taiwan's cooperation in confronting Japan.
　尖閣諸島を巡っては、中国だけでなく台湾も領有権を主張している。昨年９月には、台湾の漁船が大挙して尖閣諸島周辺の日本領海に侵入した。中国は、台湾に共闘を呼びかけてもいた。

The latest agreement is aimed at blocking such cooperation between China and Taiwan. The Chinese side immediately expressed "grave concern" over the agreement as it must have felt displeasure over the Japan-Taiwan cooperation.
　今回の合意は、こうした中台の連携にくさびを打ち込む狙いがある。中国側がさっそく「重大な懸念」を表明したのは、日台連携への不快感にほかならない。

Negotiations over fishing have been held intermittently between Japan and Taiwan since 1996, but a compromise could not be reached as the two sides butted heads over operational zones and rules, for example.
　日台間では１９９６年から漁業交渉が断続的に行われたが、操業水域やルールなどで主張が対立し、折り合えなかった。

The Japanese government asked Taipei to reopen the negotiations in autumn last year, immediately after the Japanese government nationalized some of the Senkaku Islands.
　日本政府が台湾に交渉再開を持ちかけたのは昨年秋、尖閣諸島を国有化した直後のことである。

Priority on islands' sovereignty

The call to reopen the talks was based on Japan's diplomatic strategy. Negotiations were led by the Prime Minister's Office. It was a major compromise for Japan on fishing rights as it prioritized protecting the Senkaku Islands. As Taiwan gains practical benefits in expanding its fishing area, the pact thus provides advantages for both sides.
　日本の戦略が根底にある。首相官邸主導で、漁業権では譲歩し、尖閣諸島を守ることを優先した。台湾にとっても漁業水域が広がり、実利がとれる。双方にメリットのある内容だと言える。

Yet, the problem is whether the terms of the agreement will be smoothly carried out in the actual fishing areas. Okinawa Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima was vocal in his protest against the Japanese government.
"It is extremely regrettable a major compromise was made. We'll face fierce competition and the shrinkage of quality fishing areas," Nakaima said.
　問題は、合意の内容が、漁業の現場で円滑に運用されるかどうかである。沖縄県の仲井真弘多知事は、「大幅な譲歩は極めて遺憾だ。漁業競合の激化や好漁場の縮小が余儀なくされる」と日本政府に抗議の意を表明している。

In spring, fishing activities pick up and the waters around the Senkaku Islands are good for catching Pacific bluefin tuna and flame snapper, in addition to other fish. The number of fishing boats to work in the zones and the catches must be coordinated to prevent overfishing.
　春は漁業が活発化する。尖閣諸島周辺は、クロマグロやハマダイがとれる豊かな漁場だ。出漁する漁船数や漁獲量を調整し、乱獲を防がねばならない。

Japan and Taiwan will establish a joint fisheries committee to put the finishing touches on the agreement.
　日台双方は、漁業委員会を設けて詰めの交渉に入る。

To appropriately control fisheries resources, which are common assets for coastal nations, both sides need to proceed with the talks while keeping a broad perspective.
　沿岸国の共通の財産である漁業資源を適切に管理することを前提に、双方ともに大局的見地に立って協議を進める必要がある。

Improvement in relations

Fundamentally, Taiwan has been taking a pro-Japanese stance. At the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Taiwan provided huge donations. Abe has been taking into consideration the improvement in relations with Taiwan. For instance, at a ceremony to commemorate the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, a place for an official representing Taiwan was prepared alongside seats for the representatives of foreign countries.
　台湾はもともと親日的だ。東日本大震災の際には、巨額の義援金を提供した。安倍首相は先月１１日の大震災２周年追悼式で、台湾代表の席を各国代表団と同じ場所にするなど、日台間の関係改善に配慮している。

The latest fisheries agreement will consequently result in reinforcement of the entire scope of Japan-Taiwan relations.
　今回の漁業合意は、日台関係全体の強化にもつながろう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 11, 2013)
（2013年4月11日01時30分  読売新聞）