１３参院選 ＴＰＰ交渉 参加出遅れに危機感が乏しい

The Yomiuri Shimbun July 12, 2013
Political parties lack seriousness over Japan’s late entry in TPP talks
１３参院選　ＴＰＰ交渉　参加出遅れに危機感が乏しい（7月11日付・読売社説）

How should Japan deal with negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement?
　日本は、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉にどのように対応すべきか。

Each political party is accountable for its stance on the TPP during the ongoing campaign for the House of Councillors election.
　参院選で各党の姿勢が問われている。

The U.S. Congress likely will complete procedures soon over Japan’s entry into TPP negotiations, following Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s announcement of Japan’s intent to join the talks. Eleven countries, including the United States and Australia, are scheduled to hold a new round of TPP talks in Malaysia on July 15-25. For several days toward the end of the round, Japan is expected to finally be able to sit at the negotiating table.
　安倍首相の参加表明を受けて、米国議会の承認手続きが近く終了する。米国、豪州など１１か国は１５～２５日にマレーシアで交渉を行う。その最後の数日間、日本はようやく、交渉のテーブルに着くことができる見通しだ。

With its population shrinking, Japan needs to tap into Asia’s vitality by promoting free trade in an effort to buoy its economic growth.
　人口が減る日本は、自由貿易推進でアジアの活力を取り込み、成長に弾みを付ける必要がある。

Japan must catch up

Aiming to reach a broad agreement within the year, the 11 countries are likely to step up TPP negotiations. Japan has lagged behind in the TPP talks, but it must explore ways to catch up with its negotiating partners in creating trade rules.
　１１か国は年内の大筋合意を目指し、交渉を本格化させる。出遅れた日本は通商ルール作りで巻き返す道を探らねばならない。

Although Japan faces these difficult circumstances, the parties’ campaign pledges indicate they do not feel the urgency of the TPP issue. As a result, the TPP has not been a major contentious topic in the campaign.
　そうした厳しい状況にもかかわらず、各党の公約は危機感に乏しく、ＴＰＰへの対応は大きな争点になっていない。

Regarding the TPP issue, the Liberal Democratic Party has stressed it would seek the best possible path in line with national interests by protecting what needs protecting and pushing for what the nation wants.
　自民党はＴＰＰについて、「交渉力を駆使し、守るべきものは守り、攻めるべきものは攻めることにより、国益にかなう最善の道を追求する」と強調している。

In its comprehensive policy package, however, the LDP has called on the government to place priority on ensuring that five key agricultural items, such as rice and wheat, will be exempt from tariff elimination in TPP negotiations. It also calls for the government not to hesitate to pull out from the trade talks if the items are not protected. The LDP’s Hokkaido chapter has taken an even tougher stance, saying it will stand firm and not accept tariff elimination without exceptions.
　しかし、総合政策集ではコメ、麦などを念頭に、「重要５品目の聖域を最優先し、それが確保できない場合は脱退も辞さない」と主張した。北海道連は「聖域なき関税撤廃は認めず、北海道の立場を主張する」とさらに強硬だ。

As the prime minister has vowed to enter TPP negotiations “with the determination to secure national interests,” Japan needs to flex its bargaining muscle.
　首相が「国益を確保する決意で交渉していく」と述べたように、日本にはしたたかな交渉力の発揮が求められる。

Along with its coalition partner, New Komeito, the LDP should support the government and reflect national interests in TPP-related policies.
　自民党は公明党とともに、政府を後押しし、ＴＰＰに国益を反映させる方針を示すべきだ。

It is also vital for political parties to propose feasible measures to make the nation’s agriculture competitive in preparation for further market liberalization.
　一層の市場開放に備えた「強い農業」の実現へ、現実的な方策を訴えることも重要な課題だ。

Active debate urged

Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) and Your Party, both pushing for Japan’s entry into the TPP talks, have called for a review of a measure to reduce rice production, an overhaul of agricultural cooperatives and other reforms. We urge the parties to have a vigorous debate on these issues.
　ＴＰＰ推進を主張する日本維新の会とみんなの党は、減反政策の見直しや農協改革などを掲げる。活発な論戦を期待したい。

Meanwhile, the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan, has pledged in its campaign platform to seek high-level economic partnerships and take the lead in drawing up global trade rules. But at the same time, it has also said, “We will take up the TPP issue without hesitating to withdraw [from the TPP talks].” The party’s proposed measures to beef up the agricultural sector appear vague.
　民主党は公約で、「高いレベルの経済連携を推進し、世界のルール作りを主導する」としながら、「ＴＰＰは脱退も辞さない姿勢で臨む」と主張している。農業の強化策は抽象的である。

The Japanese Communist Party, the People’s Life Party, the Social Democratic Party and Green Wind all have opposed Japan’s participation in the TPP talks. However, Japan, which thrived as a trading country, is unlikely to be able to develop a vision for the future if it decides to stay away from such a free trade framework in Asia.
　共産党、生活の党、社民党、みどりの風は、そろってＴＰＰ反対を主張している。だが、「貿易立国」として発展した日本が、アジアの自由貿易圏から外れる道を選べば、将来展望は開けまい。

The TPP negotiations address not only tariff elimination but also a wide range of other areas, such as rules for investment and intellectual property protection. How can Japan take advantage of the TPP to boost its competitiveness? We urge voters to closely look at each party’s proposal on the TPP.
　ＴＰＰ交渉は関税撤廃だけでなく、投資ルールや知的財産権保護など幅広い分野に及ぶ。競争力強化にどうつなげるのか。有権者は各党の訴えを見極めてほしい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, July 11, 2013)
（2013年7月11日01時26分  読売新聞）