首相沖縄訪問 現実的な基地負担軽減を図れ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Realistic approach needed to reduce burden of U.S. bases in Okinawa Pref.
首相沖縄訪問　現実的な基地負担軽減を図れ

One of two important tasks is to maintain the deterrent capability of the Japan-U.S. alliance to preserve our national security. The other is to reduce the excessive burden shouldered by Okinawa due to the presence of U.S. bases there. Political leaders are obliged to come up with realistic measures to ensure the two goals are compatible, and make steady progress in achieving these objectives.
　平和の確保へ、日米同盟の抑止力を維持する。過重な米軍基地負担を減らす。この二つの目標を両立する現実的な方策を選択し、着実に前に進めることが、政治の責任だろう。

On Tuesday, a ceremony was held in Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, to commemorate those killed in the prefecture during World War II. It is believed that organized combat in the Battle of Okinawa ended on June 23, 1945.
　太平洋戦争の沖縄戦で組織的な戦闘が終結したとされる「慰霊の日」の２３日、沖縄全戦没者追悼式が沖縄県糸満市で開かれた。

In his address during the ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said with emphasis, “We have earnestly walked the path of peace in abhorrence of war over the past 70 years.”
　安倍首相はあいさつで、「この７０年間、戦争を憎み、ひたすら平和の道を歩んできた」と力説し、

“We must also continue making tireless efforts toward achieving international peace,” the prime minister said. Abe also reiterated his intention to do his utmost to reduce the burden shouldered by local residents because of the U.S. bases in the prefecture.
「これからも世界平和の確立に向け、不断の努力を行う」と訴えた。沖縄の基地負担の軽減に全力を挙げる考えも改めて表明した。

In his peace declaration, Okinawa Gov. Takeshi Onaga called for halting a project to transfer functions of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station to the Henoko area. “People [in the prefecture] expressed their opposition [to the relocation project] in [last year’s] election, and it is therefore difficult [to build a new base at Henoko],” he said.
　翁長雄志知事は平和宣言で、米軍普天間飛行場の辺野古移設について「選挙で反対の民意が示されており、困難だ」と述べ、中止を求めた。

Onaga also said, “The suggestion that Okinawa should present an alternative plan [for the transfer of the Futenma functions to Henoko] cannot be condoned.”
「沖縄が（辺野古移設の）代替案を出しなさいとの考えは到底許容できない」とも語った。

The governor devoted nearly half his speech to making references to the Futenma issue.
　普天間問題への言及は全体の半分近くを占めた。

We believe Onaga was out of order for advancing his political views during this opportunity to pay tribute to the war victims and renew a pledge to pursue peace. Solely emphasizing his confrontational stance against the central government will do nothing to resolve the complex and difficult Futenma base issue.
　犠牲者に哀悼を捧ささげ、平和への誓いを新たにする場を利用し、自らの政治的主張を前面に出したことには、違和感を禁じ得ない。政府との対決姿勢を強調するだけでは、この複雑で困難な基地問題を解決することはできまい。

Constructive dialogue vital

It was decided not to arrange a formal meeting between Abe and Onaga on the sidelines of Tuesday’s ceremony. One of the factors behind this decision may have been the improbability that any progress would result. Still, the decision is disappointing. We hope the prime minister and the governor will use every opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue.
　首相と翁長氏の正式な会談は見送られた。具体的成果が見込めないとの判断もあったのだろうが、残念な対応である。首相と翁長氏は、様々な機会をとらえて、建設的な対話を重ねてもらいたい。

The Futenma base, used by the U.S. forces since the war ended in 1945, lies in the central part of Ginowan. There is a possibility of serious accidents if the installation remains there. At the same time, it has long hindered the city’s development.
　終戦の年から米軍が使用する普天間飛行場は、宜野湾市中心部にある。重大事故の危険性に加え、市の発展の障害となってきた。

The only practical solution to overcoming this situation is relocating the Futenma facility to Henoko.
　この現状を打開するための実現可能な選択肢は、辺野古移設しかない。

The Futenma Air Station symbolizes the U.S. military presence in the prefecture. If the relocation project is translated into action, it would represent a significant achievement after many years of great efforts by the central government and local entities to promote the realignment of U.S. forces.
普天間飛行場は在沖縄米軍基地の象徴的存在でもある。移設が実現すれば、政府と地元関係者が長年、多大な努力を重ねてきた米軍再編の重要な成果となる。

Questions must be raised about the latest action taken by the Social Democratic Party, the Japanese Communist Party and other forces that constitute the mainstay of the Onaga-led prefectural government. They have submitted to the prefectural assembly a proposal for the creation of an ordinance that would impose restrictions on bringing earth, sand and stone into the prefecture from outside of the prefecture, citing the need to implement environmental protection measures. Such materials are used for land reclamation work.
　疑問なのは、社民、共産など翁長県政与党が、環境対策として、埋め立て工事に使用する県外からの土砂や石材搬入を規制する条例案を県議会に提出したことだ。

If the proposed ordinance is adopted, it could cause delays not only in the Futenma-to-Henoko transfer plan but in the ongoing construction of a second runway at Naha Airport. The new runway project is aimed at invigorating the prefecture’s economy while also resolving overcrowded flight schedules at the airport. The project was started in response to the strong desire by local residents for a new runway. Business circles in the prefecture also are worried about the proposed ordinance.
　可決されれば、辺野古移設だけでなく、那覇空港第２滑走路整備の工事も遅延しかねない。滑走路整備は、沖縄経済の活性化と空港の過密解消が目的で、地元が強く要望していた。経済界からも条例案へ懸念の声が出ている。

We find it difficult to understand what kind of environmental benefit can be gained through restrictions on earth and sand being brought into the prefecture from other parts of the country. We regard the submission of the proposed ordinance as opportunistic. Doing so will only deepen the schism between the central government and local residents.
　そもそも、同じ国内の土砂などの規制にどんな環境面の効果があるのか、理解に苦しむ。ご都合主義であり、いたずらに政府との対立を深めるだけではないか。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, June 24, 2015)