空自航空団新設 南西諸島防衛の着実な強化を

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Strengthening defense posture around Nansei Islands critical
空自航空団新設　南西諸島防衛の着実な強化を

As Chinese military forces continue to intensify their activities in the East China Sea, it is important to steadily beef up the defense posture around the Nansei Islands.
　東シナ海における中国軍の活動が一段と活発化している。南西諸島の防衛体制を着実に強化することが重要である。

The Defense Ministry has newly organized the 9th Air Wing at the Air Self-Defense Force’s Naha Airbase, the nation’s first new air wing in 51 years. After moving one flight squadron from Tsuiki Airbase in Fukuoka Prefecture to Naha, the ASDF has doubled the number of its mainstay F-15 fighters at Naha Airbase from 20 to 40.
　防衛省が、航空自衛隊那覇基地に第９航空団を新たに編成した。航空団新設は５１年ぶりだ。福岡県の築城基地から１飛行隊を移し、主力戦闘機Ｆ１５を２０機から４０機に倍増した。

The measures are aimed at dealing with a sharp increase in the number of incidents in which the ASDF has scrambled planes in response to Chinese military aircraft flying close to Japan’s territorial airspace in areas surrounding the Nansei Islands.
　南西諸島周辺の領空に接近する中国軍機に対する、自衛隊機の緊急発進（スクランブル）が急増していることに対応するのが目的だ。

In fiscal 2014, the number of such incidents in areas around the islands — mostly involving Chinese military aircraft — totaled 468, marking approximately a 10-fold increase from fiscal 2008.
南西地域で、２０１４年度は４６８回に上った。０８年度の約１０倍で、大半が中国軍機である。

China may be trying to make its air defense identification zone, which Beijing unilaterally declared in the autumn of 2013 over the East China Sea, a fait accompli. The zone includes areas above the Senkaku Islands.
　中国には、１３年秋に尖閣諸島上空を含む東シナ海に一方的に設定した、自らの防空識別圏を既成事実化する狙いがあろう。

By beefing up its Naha unit, the ASDF has become able to deploy its planes more expeditiously, while reducing the burdens on its pilots.
　空自機の増強により、より機動的な運用が可能となり、パイロットの負担も減る。

The fact that Japan is demonstrating its determination to prevent China from changing the status quo with force and to defend its territorial airspace by properly responding to reconnaissance operations by China’s military aircraft has significant implications.
中国軍機の偵察活動に的確に対応して、中国の力による現状変更を許さず、領空を守る意思を示す意義は大きい。

Naha Airport, which the Self-Defense Forces use jointly with operators of civilian aircraft, has the second-largest number of takeoffs and landings for a single-runway airport in Japan, just after Fukuoka Airport.
　自衛隊が民間機と共同利用する那覇空港は、滑走路１本の空港としては福岡空港に次いで航空機の離着陸回数が多い。

It is essential to advance, without delay, work on the second runway at the airport, which is scheduled for concurrent use beginning in 2020.
２０年予定の第２滑走路供用に向け、工事を遅滞なく進めることが欠かせない。

New deployments scheduled

The new guidelines for Japan-U.S. defense cooperation stipulate that the SDF will defend remote islands on its own initiative, while the U.S. forces will play supportive roles.
　新たな日米防衛協力指針（ガイドライン）では、自衛隊が離島防衛を主体的に実施し、米軍が補完するという役割分担を定めた。

Based on the guidelines, a 150-strong coastal observation unit will be deployed next month on Yonagunijima island.
　これを踏まえ、与那国島に、３月中に１５０人規模の陸上自衛隊の沿岸監視部隊が配備される。

In fiscal 2018, a patrol and missile unit is scheduled to be deployed on Amami-Oshima island and on Miyakojima island. The ministry is considering the deployment of a similar unit on Ishigakijima island, as well. It is important to proceed with the plan, while winning the understanding of local communities.
　１８年度には、奄美大島と宮古島に警備・ミサイル部隊を配備する予定だ。石垣島にも同様の部隊配備を検討している。地元の理解を得ながら進めることが大切だ。

There have been a succession of incidents in which Chinese military vessels have sailed close to the Senkaku Islands. And intrusions into Japanese territorial waters near the islands by China Coast Guard vessels continue unabated. In December last year, a China Coast Guard vessel equipped with “gun turrets” was sighted. China is also reportedly building a large vessel in the 10,000-ton class.
　尖閣諸島周辺では、中国軍艦船の接近が相次いでいる。海警局公船の領海侵入も後を絶たない。昨年１２月には、「機関砲」の搭載が確認された。１万トン級の大型船も建造されているという。

These developments are linked to a reorganization of the Chinese military, which is shifting its emphasis from ground forces to maritime and air forces. Japan needs to increase its vigilance in the future. It should also be assumed that situations may arise that the Japan Coast Guard cannot deal with alone.
　一連の動きは、陸軍から海空軍に重点を移す中国軍の機構改革とも連動している。日本は今後、一層の警戒が必要である。海上保安庁だけでは対処できない事態も想定しておかねばなるまい。

Should a Chinese military vessel intrude into Japan’s territorial waters, the government may issue an order for the Maritime Self-Defense Force to implement maritime patrol operations. It is understandable that the Japanese government has conveyed such a policy to the Chinese side.
　中国軍艦船が領海に侵入した場合、海上自衛隊に海上警備行動を発令することがあり得る。日本政府がこうした方針を中国側に伝達したのは、理解できる。

It is a matter of concern that there has been a delay in Japan-China negotiations concerning the establishment of a “maritime liaison mechanism” to prevent accidental clashes between the SDF and Chinese military forces. It is hoped that both countries will intelligently exert themselves to reach an agreement at an early stage.
　気がかりなのは、自衛隊と中国軍の衝突を回避する「海上連絡メカニズム」の創設に関する日中協議が遅れていることだ。双方が知恵を絞り、早期に合意したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 3, 2016)