2010/08/24
--The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 23
EDITORIAL: U.S. pullout from Iraq.
米軍のイラク撤兵―重い教訓に向き合うとき
U.S. President Barack Obama has set the end of 2011 as the deadline for the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq. The midterm goal of the plan is to end combat operations in the country by Aug. 31. In line with the schedule, the last U.S. combat unit left Iraq to move into neighboring Kuwait last week.
米国のオバマ大統領は２０１１年末までに、イラク駐留米軍の完全撤退をめざす。中間目標は、今月末までの戦闘任務終了だ。この方針に沿い、戦闘部隊が隣国クウェートに撤兵した。
The number of U.S. troops remaining in Iraq will be reduced to 50,000, about one-third of the peak level, at the end of this month. Their main mission will be training Iraqi security forces that will take over the role of the U.S. troops.
米軍は今月末、ピーク時の約３分の１の５万人に減り、後を引き継ぐイラク治安部隊の訓練が主な任務となる。
The death toll of American troops in Iraq has surpassed 4,400, while estimates put the number of Iraqi civilians killed at more than 100,000.
すでに、イラクでの米軍の死者は４４００人を超え、イラクの民間人の死者は１０万人以上とも言われる。
Answering to an embedded foreign journalist, a U.S. soldier who has left Iraq said the best thing would be for no one to get hurt anymore. The U.S. forces have just done their duties, but many of them probably have mixed feelings, wondering if they fought a just war.
イラクを離れた兵士が外国の従軍記者に答えた。「何がいいかって？ 第一に、もう誰も傷つかないこと」。この戦争は正しかったのか。任務とはいえ、兵士たちにも複雑な思いが去来したのではないだろうか。
Immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States, many countries and people around the world supported U.S. plans for a war against terrorism. But the U.S. government's push to topple the regime of Saddam Hussein bitterly divided the world and provoked deep anger within the Islamic world. As a result, terrorism has spread widely both within and outside Iraq.
同時多発テロが起きた時、多くの国々、人々がテロに立ち向かう米国を後押しした。だが、強引にサダム・フセイン政権打倒に突き進む米国のやり方は世界を分裂させ、イスラム世界の反発も強めることになり、むしろテロはイラク内外に拡散した。
What was the meaning of the Iraq war? It is time for both the United States, which started the war, and Japan, which supported the U.S. action, to ask themselves some serious questions about what they did.
この戦争は何だったのか。開戦した米国も、戦争を支持した日本も、深く自問自答すべきときだ。
A 'preventive war'
■「予防戦争」の深い傷
Let us look back.
少し振り返ってみよう。
Suspicions arose that Iraq had a secret cache of weapons of mass destruction. If these weapons found their way into the hands of terrorists, the U.S. administration of President George W. Bush argued, they would pose a serious security threat.
The Bush administration used these concerns as justification for starting the war against Iraq despite a lack of definite evidence to support these claims.
イラクが大量破壊兵器を隠し持っている疑いがある。テロ組織に渡ると大きな脅威になる。それが、時のブッシュ米大統領が戦端を開く「大義」だったが、決定的な証拠を欠いていた。
The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq started with willing allies, such as Britain and Italy, flying in the face of opposition from Germany, France and other countries. The U.N. Security Council did not issue a resolution that clearly sanctioned the use of armed forces against Iraq.
それでも、独仏などの反対を押し切り、英伊などとの有志連合で攻撃を始めた。武力行使を明確に容認する国連安保理決議はないままだった。
A "preventive war" to nip a potential threat in the bud by a country solely on its own judgment violates the U.N. Charter, which permits a country's use of force only for self-defense against an imminent security threat to the country or when the Security Council has passed a resolution to approve military action.
脅威の芽を独断的に先に摘みとる「予防戦争」は、差し迫った脅威への自衛と国連安保理決議に基づく武力行使しか認めない国連憲章に反する。
The international community struggled to persuade the United States to restrain itself from heading into a preventive war. Before the Iraq war began, a French diplomat said it was a U.S. problem, not an Iraq problem.
「予防戦争」へと進む米国にどう自制を促すか。国際社会は腐心した。仏外交官は開戦前に語っていた。「これはイラク問題ではなく米国問題だ」
The U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell warned the president that invading Iraq would be very costly for both the United States and the world. He pointed out that occupying Iraq would mean the United States would have to own the hopes, aspirations and problems of all Iraqi people. Still, Bush decided to start the attack, true to his pledge to combat terrorism by all possible measures.
米国務長官だったパウエル氏は大統領に、イラク侵攻は米国にも世界にも「高くつく」と直言したという。占領すればイラク国民の希望も問題も、すべて引き受けなければならない、と。それでも大統領は開戦に動いた。「あらゆる手段でテロを根絶する」というブッシュ流を持ち込んだ戦争、それがイラク戦争であった。
Lack of support
The U.S. administration was apparently driven by the shock of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It was, however, difficult for Washington to win support from people in Iraq or the international community for a fight against terrorism when it was actually an attempt to use force to upset an anti-U.S. regime without offering any clear rationale.
同時多発テロの衝撃に突き動かされたのだろう。だが、いくら米国の意に沿わない国でも、あいまいな根拠に基づいて武力行使で政権転覆するやり方では、イラクの人心も国際世論も「対テロ」での結束は困難だ。
But the Bush administration couldn't understand this obvious truth.
そんな自明のことにさえ理解が及ばなかった。
The search after the collapse of the Saddam regime found no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, making the war even more questionable.
侵攻後に調べてみると大量破壊兵器などなく、戦争への疑問はさらに拡大した。
The U.S. billed the overthrow of Saddam as part of its fight against terrorism and continued operations to eliminate the remnants and supporters of the regime. This provoked strong anti-American sentiment and a wave of terrorist attacks in Iraq. The U.S. invasion gave extremist groups like al-Qaida a justification for jihad in Iraq, setting off an endless chain of violence.
米国が政権打倒を「対テロ戦争」と同一視し、旧政権の残党や支持勢力の根絶作戦を続けたことはイラク内で強い反米意識とテロを誘発した。アルカイダなど過激派にイラクでの聖戦実施という「大義」を与え、暴力の連鎖をまねく事態ともなった。
■軍事力過信への戒め
Iraq remains deeply mired in political turmoil. Parliamentary elections in March have triggered a political standoff between religious groups, failing to establish a new government and leaving the country in a political vacuum.
イラクは今も混乱の中にある。３月の国民議会選挙後も宗派対立などで新政権ができず、政治空白が続く。
Meanwhile, the United States under President Obama, who harshly criticized Bush over the Iraq war, has dramatically changed its policy. Now, Washington is trying to rebuild war-devastated Iraq through efforts supported by the United Nations and the international community.
ブッシュ路線を批判してきたオバマ氏が大統領となった米国は大きく方針を転換した。今は、国連や国際社会を説得してイラク再建を目指している。
As the country that destroyed Iraq and created chaos in the country through its preventive war, the United States has a grave responsibility.
それは、「予防戦争」でイラクを壊し乱した米国の、国家としての重い責任でもある。
President Obama, however, has called the conflict in Afghanistan a "necessary war" and has tripled the number of U.S. troops deployed in the country since he took office.
そのオバマ大統領が、アフガニスタンについては「必要な戦争」と呼び、就任後、駐留米軍を３倍に増やした。
But the United States has failed to win the hearts of the people in Afghanistan even though it has overthrown a regime linked to al-Qaida.
The current situation in Afghanistan, where the United States is struggling badly in its efforts to help rebuild the nation and eliminate terrorism, is reminiscent of Washington's plight in Iraq.
だが、アルカイダとつながった政権を打倒しても人心をつかめず、国の復興・再建やテロ対策が難航している現状は、イラクでの苦悩を想起させる。
David Miliband, a former British foreign secretary, has cited overconfidence in military power as one of the mistakes made in the war against terrorism. Expanding the war front, which inevitably leads to a larger number of war victims, doesn't help increase allies for efforts to prevent terrorism. The United States should keep this lesson in mind for its operations in Afghanistan as well.
英国のミリバンド前外相は、「対テロ戦争」の過ちのひとつに軍事力への過信をあげる。戦火と犠牲者の拡大は、テロを防ぐ味方を必ずしも増やせない。この教訓を米国はアフガニスタンでも強く認識しておいて欲しい。
Japan supported the U.S.-led war against Iraq and dispatched Self-Defense Forces troops to what the government described as a "noncombat zone" in the country. It was a move to demonstrate its solid commitment to its alliance with the United States. But how should we judge the Japanese government's decision to back a war that was started on the basis of inaccurate information?
日本はイラク戦争を支持し、イラクの「非戦闘地域」に自衛隊を派遣した。同盟国・米国に寄り添う動きだった。不確かな情報に基づく戦争を支持したことをどう総括するのか。
"There is obviously no way for me to know at this moment which parts (of Iraq) are combat areas and which are noncombat zones," then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said during a Diet session. Didn't the government make a wrong choice when it decided to send SDF troops to Iraq when it had no accurate information, as Koizumi's remarks indicated?
「どこが戦闘地域で、どこが非戦闘地域か、いまこの私に聞かれたって、わかるわけない」（小泉純一郎首相の国会答弁）といった状態での自衛隊派遣は、誤った選択ではなかったのか。
Review decision-making process
■日本の意思決定検証を
The North Korea problem influenced the policy decisions of the ruling party and the government concerning Iraq.
与党・政府内では、イラク問題の背後で北朝鮮問題が見え隠れした。
A senior lawmaker of then ruling Liberal Democratic Party said, "Can we afford to allow Japan's alliance with the United States to be damaged by walking away (from the Iraq war) when Japan is facing a threat from North Korea?"
「北朝鮮問題があるのに、（イラクから）いち抜けたと言って日米同盟が悪くなっていいのか」（自民党幹部）との声も聞こえた。
But how was the Iraq war actually linked to the North Korea problem in policy debate within the Koizumi administration?
実際のところ、政権の中でイラクと北朝鮮の問題をどのように関連づけていたのか。
At that time, as chief of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, Naoto Kan, the current prime minister, argued that sending SDF troops to Iraq, most parts of which were combat areas, was unconstitutional. The current DPJ-led government must now make clear what it has learned from the episode.
菅直人首相は、民主党代表として、大半が戦闘地域のイラクへの自衛隊派遣は違憲状態だと指摘していた。民主党政権はこの歴史から何を学びとるのか、今こそ明確に示す必要がある。
Government decisions about war must be rigorously scrutinized. Otherwise, the experience will leave no useful lesson for the governance of the nation, especially for its diplomatic and national security policies.
戦争に関する国家の意思、判断は、厳しい検証を受けなければならない。さもなくば、今後の国家運営、とりわけ外交と安全保障政策に何の教訓も残さないことになる。
The time has come for the Diet to take a fresh and hard look at the process in which Japan made its decisions concerning the Iraq war through such efforts as intensive debate at an Upper House fact-finding committee.
参議院の調査会で集中的に審議するなど、国会でイラク戦争をめぐる意思決定の検証作業をすべきである。
2010/08/25
2010/08/24
取り調べ可視化 海外調査を論議の出発点に
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 24, 2010)
Open discussion needed on taping interrogations
取り調べ可視化 海外調査を論議の出発点に（8月23日付・読売社説）
The Justice Ministry will send prosecutors overseas to study the feasibility of introducing a system to make audio and video recordings of investigators' interrogations of suspects. The prosecutors will conduct research for a year on how recording systems function in the countries they visit.
捜査官が容疑者を取り調べる過程を録音・録画する可視化について研究するため、法務省が今後１年かけて欧米を中心に検事を派遣し、実情を調査することになった。
The mission represents this nation's first comprehensive overseas research of such systems. Prosecutors will visit countries including the United States, Britain and France, as well as Germany, which has yet to adopt a recording system, and South Korea, which just introduced one.
国による初の本格的な海外調査だ。対象は米国、英国、フランスなどのほか、可視化を取り入れていないドイツ、開始まもない韓国も含まれる。
The ministry should widely publicize the results of the research and consider what would be the most desirable form of recording system for this country.
調査結果を広く国民に公表し、可視化の望ましいあり方などを考えていく必要がある。
Police and prosecutors have begun making partial audio and video recordings of interrogations conducted in connection with criminal cases tried jointly by lay and professional judges. Such records are meant to prove that confessions are not forced but voluntary.
警察・検察は、裁判員裁判の対象事件で、部分的な録音・録画を始めている。自白が強制されたものではないことを裁判員に立証する目的からだ。
As of June, DVD recordings of interrogations had been shown in six cases tried under the lay judge system.
６月までに６件の裁判員裁判の法廷で実際に録画したＤＶＤが再生されている。
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations is calling for the entire interrogation process to be recorded, to prevent false charges from being brought. The Democratic Party of Japan called for the adoption of a full recording system in its campaign platform for the general election last August, and since the launch in September of the DPJ-led government, it has urged the ministry and the National Police Agency to look further into the feasibility of adopting such a system.
これに対し、日本弁護士連合会は冤罪(えんざい)を防止するには取り調べの一部ではなく、全過程の可視化が必要だと主張している。全面可視化を公約とした民主党政権の誕生で、法務省と警察庁はさらなる検討を迫られているのが現状だ。
===
Different situation overseas
But the situation in Japan is different from that of the countries where recording systems are in place.
ただ、可視化が定着している諸外国の事情は、日本と異なる。
In Britain, suspects are usually interrogated once after being arrested and the questioning is said to finish within 30 minutes in many cases. Defendants also have a good chance of being acquitted in jury trials.
英国では逮捕後の取り調べ回数は１回程度で、３０分以内で終わることが多いという。陪審裁判で無罪になる確率も高い。
Furthermore, there is a plea bargain system under which suspects can receive lighter sentences if they admit crimes at early stages of investigations. Wiretapping and undercover operations are also permitted.
一方、早い時期に罪を認めると刑を軽減する司法取引があり、通信傍受やおとり捜査も認められている。
Plea bargains are common in the United States, where about one-third of the states record interrogations.
約３分の１の州が可視化を取り入れている米国でも、司法取引は活発に行われている。
In Japan, investigators face suspects for long hours in investigation rooms, to conduct detailed questioning that spans from suspects' childhoods to the motives for their alleged crimes. In cases involving organized crime syndicates, investigators try to win over suspects and obtain statements implicating gang leaders.
日本では捜査官が取調室で長時間にわたり容疑者と向き合いながら、生い立ちから犯行の動機に至るまで詳細に調べる。暴力団などがかかわる組織犯罪では、容疑者を説得して上層部の関与の供述を引き出すこともする。
===
Give investigators more tools
Many investigators have expressed concern about making audio and video recordings of the entire interrogation process.
取り調べの全過程を録音・録画することに対する懸念は、捜査関係者に多い。
It is important to prevent false charges. But at the same time, public safety should not be threatened because criminal cases are left unsettled with authorities unable to indict the real culprits. It is essential to reconcile these two goals when considering the introduction of a recording system.
冤罪を防ぐことは大切だ。同時に、真犯人を起訴できず事件が未解決に終わるなどして、治安が揺らぐことがあってはならない。可視化を考える上で、その両立をどう図るかが重要になる。
Before the full-scale adoption of such a system, it may be necessary to consider the introduction of a new investigative process that facilitates such methods as court-approved wiretapping and sting operations, so police and investigators can collect material evidence in addition to statements from suspects.
可視化を本格導入する場合、例えば裁判所の許可に基づき、通信傍受やおとり捜査などを用いやすくして、警察・検察が供述以外の物的証拠を集められるようにするなど、新たな捜査手法を検討する必要もあるだろう。
As the lay judge system is now in its second year of operation, public interest in the judiciary has been increasing. Discussions about the introduction of an interrogation recording system should be conducted in the public eye.
裁判員裁判が２年目を迎え、司法に対する国民の関心は高まっている。国民の目に見える形で、可視化論議を重ねてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 23, 2010)
（2010年8月23日01時18分 読売新聞）
Open discussion needed on taping interrogations
取り調べ可視化 海外調査を論議の出発点に（8月23日付・読売社説）
The Justice Ministry will send prosecutors overseas to study the feasibility of introducing a system to make audio and video recordings of investigators' interrogations of suspects. The prosecutors will conduct research for a year on how recording systems function in the countries they visit.
捜査官が容疑者を取り調べる過程を録音・録画する可視化について研究するため、法務省が今後１年かけて欧米を中心に検事を派遣し、実情を調査することになった。
The mission represents this nation's first comprehensive overseas research of such systems. Prosecutors will visit countries including the United States, Britain and France, as well as Germany, which has yet to adopt a recording system, and South Korea, which just introduced one.
国による初の本格的な海外調査だ。対象は米国、英国、フランスなどのほか、可視化を取り入れていないドイツ、開始まもない韓国も含まれる。
The ministry should widely publicize the results of the research and consider what would be the most desirable form of recording system for this country.
調査結果を広く国民に公表し、可視化の望ましいあり方などを考えていく必要がある。
Police and prosecutors have begun making partial audio and video recordings of interrogations conducted in connection with criminal cases tried jointly by lay and professional judges. Such records are meant to prove that confessions are not forced but voluntary.
警察・検察は、裁判員裁判の対象事件で、部分的な録音・録画を始めている。自白が強制されたものではないことを裁判員に立証する目的からだ。
As of June, DVD recordings of interrogations had been shown in six cases tried under the lay judge system.
６月までに６件の裁判員裁判の法廷で実際に録画したＤＶＤが再生されている。
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations is calling for the entire interrogation process to be recorded, to prevent false charges from being brought. The Democratic Party of Japan called for the adoption of a full recording system in its campaign platform for the general election last August, and since the launch in September of the DPJ-led government, it has urged the ministry and the National Police Agency to look further into the feasibility of adopting such a system.
これに対し、日本弁護士連合会は冤罪(えんざい)を防止するには取り調べの一部ではなく、全過程の可視化が必要だと主張している。全面可視化を公約とした民主党政権の誕生で、法務省と警察庁はさらなる検討を迫られているのが現状だ。
===
Different situation overseas
But the situation in Japan is different from that of the countries where recording systems are in place.
ただ、可視化が定着している諸外国の事情は、日本と異なる。
In Britain, suspects are usually interrogated once after being arrested and the questioning is said to finish within 30 minutes in many cases. Defendants also have a good chance of being acquitted in jury trials.
英国では逮捕後の取り調べ回数は１回程度で、３０分以内で終わることが多いという。陪審裁判で無罪になる確率も高い。
Furthermore, there is a plea bargain system under which suspects can receive lighter sentences if they admit crimes at early stages of investigations. Wiretapping and undercover operations are also permitted.
一方、早い時期に罪を認めると刑を軽減する司法取引があり、通信傍受やおとり捜査も認められている。
Plea bargains are common in the United States, where about one-third of the states record interrogations.
約３分の１の州が可視化を取り入れている米国でも、司法取引は活発に行われている。
In Japan, investigators face suspects for long hours in investigation rooms, to conduct detailed questioning that spans from suspects' childhoods to the motives for their alleged crimes. In cases involving organized crime syndicates, investigators try to win over suspects and obtain statements implicating gang leaders.
日本では捜査官が取調室で長時間にわたり容疑者と向き合いながら、生い立ちから犯行の動機に至るまで詳細に調べる。暴力団などがかかわる組織犯罪では、容疑者を説得して上層部の関与の供述を引き出すこともする。
===
Give investigators more tools
Many investigators have expressed concern about making audio and video recordings of the entire interrogation process.
取り調べの全過程を録音・録画することに対する懸念は、捜査関係者に多い。
It is important to prevent false charges. But at the same time, public safety should not be threatened because criminal cases are left unsettled with authorities unable to indict the real culprits. It is essential to reconcile these two goals when considering the introduction of a recording system.
冤罪を防ぐことは大切だ。同時に、真犯人を起訴できず事件が未解決に終わるなどして、治安が揺らぐことがあってはならない。可視化を考える上で、その両立をどう図るかが重要になる。
Before the full-scale adoption of such a system, it may be necessary to consider the introduction of a new investigative process that facilitates such methods as court-approved wiretapping and sting operations, so police and investigators can collect material evidence in addition to statements from suspects.
可視化を本格導入する場合、例えば裁判所の許可に基づき、通信傍受やおとり捜査などを用いやすくして、警察・検察が供述以外の物的証拠を集められるようにするなど、新たな捜査手法を検討する必要もあるだろう。
As the lay judge system is now in its second year of operation, public interest in the judiciary has been increasing. Discussions about the introduction of an interrogation recording system should be conducted in the public eye.
裁判員裁判が２年目を迎え、司法に対する国民の関心は高まっている。国民の目に見える形で、可視化論議を重ねてほしい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 23, 2010)
（2010年8月23日01時18分 読売新聞）
2010/08/23
海保ヘリ墜落 原因究明を阻む悪質な隠蔽だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 23, 2010)
JCG's cover-up obstructs investigation
海保ヘリ墜落 原因究明を阻む悪質な隠蔽だ（8月22日付・読売社説）
The outrageous cover-up by the Japan Coast Guard over a recent fatal helicopter accident is nothing but an attempt to obstruct the investigation.
海上保安庁の言語道断の隠蔽(いんぺい)行為が明るみに出た。原因調査の妨害行為にほかならない。
The 6th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters' helicopter Akizuru hit power lines and crashed in the Seto Inland Sea off Kagawa Prefecture on Wednesday afternoon, killing all five aboard.
第６管区海上保安本部のヘリコプターが瀬戸内海上空で送電線に触れて墜落、乗員５人が死亡する事故が起きたのは、１８日午後のことだった。
For more than a day after the accident, the coast guard concealed the fact that one of the purposes of the helicopter's flight was a demonstration for a group of legal trainees who were aboard a JCG patrol boat to experience coast guard missions at sea.
それからまる１日以上も、飛行目的の一つが、海保の巡視艇に体験乗船している司法修習生向けのデモンストレーション飛行だったことを隠していたのだ。
The JCG initially said the helicopter was on a patrol flight and only changed its story when the media brought up the demonstration flights.
それまではパトロールのためとだけ説明し、報道機関からの指摘を受けてデモ飛行を公表した。
It is not surprising that Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Seiji Maehara strongly criticized the JCG, saying, "The coast guard's concealment is serious, and it should reflect deeply on its conduct."
前原国土交通相が「隠していたことは問題だ。厳しく反省してもらわないといけない」と強く批判したのも当然である。
There is nothing wrong with carrying out demonstration flights. It is meaningful to give legal trainees an opportunity to observe the JCG's activities to help them understand the coast guard's mission.
デモ飛行そのものが悪いのではない。海保の業務を理解してもらうために、司法修習生などに見学してもらうことは意味がある。
However, the coast guard even concealed the demonstration flights from an official of the ministry's Japan Transport Safety Board who visited the crash site. In a broad sense, the JCG's conduct appears to be an attempt to destroy evidence related to the crash.
しかし、デモ飛行は事故の原因調査のため現地に出向いた国交省運輸安全委員会の調査官にも伏せられていた。広い意味で証拠の隠滅のようなものだろう。
Systematic deception
What makes the latest case heinous is that senior JCG officials, including the chief of the 6th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, systematically decided not to disclose the demonstration flights.
さらに今回のケースが悪質なのは、６管の本部長ら幹部が集まって、デモ飛行は公表しないと組織ぐるみで決めていたことだ。
In addition, when the JCG first acknowledged conducting the demonstration flights, the chief of the headquarters' general affairs division said, "I intentionally decided it was better not to disclose [the demonstration flights]," indicating that it was his decision. The coast guard covered up another fact by saying the head of the headquarters and other senior JCG officials were not involved in the decision.
しかも、最初にデモ飛行を認めた際には、総務課長が「自分が意図的に判断して発表しない方がいいと考えた」と、個人の判断であることを強調していた。これでは本部長らは無関係だったとする二重の隠蔽である。
The coast guard would never have acted in this manner if it had considered those who lost their lives in the line of duty and their bereaved families. The ministry should closely question the headquarters' chief and other senior JCG officials to lay the blame at the right door.
任務遂行中に殉職した職員や遺族のことを考えれば、決してできない行為である。国交省としても６管の本部長以下の責任を厳しく問うべきだろう。
Commenting on the cover-up, the headquarters explained it did not mention the demonstration flights "because the site of the accident and the [area of the] demonstration flights were 17 kilometers apart and, therefore, they were unrelated."
隠蔽について６管は「デモ飛行の場所と事故現場は１７キロ離れており、事故と関係なかったため」と釈明している。
Problem with flight plan?
However, the accident occurred between two demonstration flights when the helicopter was investigating an abandoned ship. Was there some problem with the helicopter's flight plan? A thorough investigation must be carried out before deciding on the relationship between the demonstration flights and the accident.
しかし、事故はデモ飛行の合間の廃船調査中に起きた。飛行計画に無理はなかったのか。デモ飛行と事故との関係も、調査を尽くしたうえで結論づけることだ。
The transport safety board needs to look into the case thoroughly to determine the real reason behind the cover-up and the cause of the accident.
運輸安全委は、隠蔽の理由や事故の真相を徹底的に解明する必要がある。
In investigating the 2005 JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment accident, a member of the then Aircraft and Railway Accidents Investigation Commission, a predecessor of the board, leaked information related to its investigation to West Japan Railway Co. before the commission compiled a report on the accident--a monstrous mistake that investigative authorities should have prevented.
ＪＲ西日本の脱線事故の調査では、調査情報をＪＲ西に事前に漏らすという、調査機関にあるまじき失態があった。
The transport safety board will lose public trust if it treats the coast guard with kid gloves during its investigation simply because the board and the JCG are organizations under the same ministry.
海保と同じ国交省内の組織だからといって、少しでも手加減するようでは信頼は地に落ちる。
Merely keeping an eye on the piloting of aircraft is not enough to prevent such an accident from recurring. The board must investigate the JCG and the headquarters from all possible angles, including flight safety.
再発防止のためには乗務員の操縦にだけ目を向けず、飛行の安全体制など、海保や６管に対する調査も厳正に行うべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 22, 2010)
（2010年8月22日01時20分 読売新聞）
JCG's cover-up obstructs investigation
海保ヘリ墜落 原因究明を阻む悪質な隠蔽だ（8月22日付・読売社説）
The outrageous cover-up by the Japan Coast Guard over a recent fatal helicopter accident is nothing but an attempt to obstruct the investigation.
海上保安庁の言語道断の隠蔽(いんぺい)行為が明るみに出た。原因調査の妨害行為にほかならない。
The 6th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters' helicopter Akizuru hit power lines and crashed in the Seto Inland Sea off Kagawa Prefecture on Wednesday afternoon, killing all five aboard.
第６管区海上保安本部のヘリコプターが瀬戸内海上空で送電線に触れて墜落、乗員５人が死亡する事故が起きたのは、１８日午後のことだった。
For more than a day after the accident, the coast guard concealed the fact that one of the purposes of the helicopter's flight was a demonstration for a group of legal trainees who were aboard a JCG patrol boat to experience coast guard missions at sea.
それからまる１日以上も、飛行目的の一つが、海保の巡視艇に体験乗船している司法修習生向けのデモンストレーション飛行だったことを隠していたのだ。
The JCG initially said the helicopter was on a patrol flight and only changed its story when the media brought up the demonstration flights.
それまではパトロールのためとだけ説明し、報道機関からの指摘を受けてデモ飛行を公表した。
It is not surprising that Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Seiji Maehara strongly criticized the JCG, saying, "The coast guard's concealment is serious, and it should reflect deeply on its conduct."
前原国土交通相が「隠していたことは問題だ。厳しく反省してもらわないといけない」と強く批判したのも当然である。
There is nothing wrong with carrying out demonstration flights. It is meaningful to give legal trainees an opportunity to observe the JCG's activities to help them understand the coast guard's mission.
デモ飛行そのものが悪いのではない。海保の業務を理解してもらうために、司法修習生などに見学してもらうことは意味がある。
However, the coast guard even concealed the demonstration flights from an official of the ministry's Japan Transport Safety Board who visited the crash site. In a broad sense, the JCG's conduct appears to be an attempt to destroy evidence related to the crash.
しかし、デモ飛行は事故の原因調査のため現地に出向いた国交省運輸安全委員会の調査官にも伏せられていた。広い意味で証拠の隠滅のようなものだろう。
Systematic deception
What makes the latest case heinous is that senior JCG officials, including the chief of the 6th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, systematically decided not to disclose the demonstration flights.
さらに今回のケースが悪質なのは、６管の本部長ら幹部が集まって、デモ飛行は公表しないと組織ぐるみで決めていたことだ。
In addition, when the JCG first acknowledged conducting the demonstration flights, the chief of the headquarters' general affairs division said, "I intentionally decided it was better not to disclose [the demonstration flights]," indicating that it was his decision. The coast guard covered up another fact by saying the head of the headquarters and other senior JCG officials were not involved in the decision.
しかも、最初にデモ飛行を認めた際には、総務課長が「自分が意図的に判断して発表しない方がいいと考えた」と、個人の判断であることを強調していた。これでは本部長らは無関係だったとする二重の隠蔽である。
The coast guard would never have acted in this manner if it had considered those who lost their lives in the line of duty and their bereaved families. The ministry should closely question the headquarters' chief and other senior JCG officials to lay the blame at the right door.
任務遂行中に殉職した職員や遺族のことを考えれば、決してできない行為である。国交省としても６管の本部長以下の責任を厳しく問うべきだろう。
Commenting on the cover-up, the headquarters explained it did not mention the demonstration flights "because the site of the accident and the [area of the] demonstration flights were 17 kilometers apart and, therefore, they were unrelated."
隠蔽について６管は「デモ飛行の場所と事故現場は１７キロ離れており、事故と関係なかったため」と釈明している。
Problem with flight plan?
However, the accident occurred between two demonstration flights when the helicopter was investigating an abandoned ship. Was there some problem with the helicopter's flight plan? A thorough investigation must be carried out before deciding on the relationship between the demonstration flights and the accident.
しかし、事故はデモ飛行の合間の廃船調査中に起きた。飛行計画に無理はなかったのか。デモ飛行と事故との関係も、調査を尽くしたうえで結論づけることだ。
The transport safety board needs to look into the case thoroughly to determine the real reason behind the cover-up and the cause of the accident.
運輸安全委は、隠蔽の理由や事故の真相を徹底的に解明する必要がある。
In investigating the 2005 JR Fukuchiyama Line derailment accident, a member of the then Aircraft and Railway Accidents Investigation Commission, a predecessor of the board, leaked information related to its investigation to West Japan Railway Co. before the commission compiled a report on the accident--a monstrous mistake that investigative authorities should have prevented.
ＪＲ西日本の脱線事故の調査では、調査情報をＪＲ西に事前に漏らすという、調査機関にあるまじき失態があった。
The transport safety board will lose public trust if it treats the coast guard with kid gloves during its investigation simply because the board and the JCG are organizations under the same ministry.
海保と同じ国交省内の組織だからといって、少しでも手加減するようでは信頼は地に落ちる。
Merely keeping an eye on the piloting of aircraft is not enough to prevent such an accident from recurring. The board must investigate the JCG and the headquarters from all possible angles, including flight safety.
再発防止のためには乗務員の操縦にだけ目を向けず、飛行の安全体制など、海保や６管に対する調査も厳正に行うべきである。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 22, 2010)
（2010年8月22日01時20分 読売新聞）
2010/08/22
パキスタン洪水 対テロ前線国に支援を急げ
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 22, 2010)
Japan must lose no time in getting aid to Pakistan
パキスタン洪水 対テロ前線国に支援を急げ（8月21日付・読売社説）
Pakistan has been hit by devastating floods said to be the worst in 80 years.
パキスタンが８０年ぶりという甚大な洪水被害に見舞われている。
It is feared flood damage will continue to spread as monsoon rains are expected to continue through the end of this month.
雨を降らせるモンスーン（季節風）は今月末まで続き、今後も被害の拡大が懸念される。
In a special meeting Thursday, the U.N. General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging member nations to extend emergency relief to the flood-ravaged nation. The meeting was called as international assistance had been insufficient despite the wide extent of the disaster-stricken areas and the seriousness of damage there.
国連総会が特別会合を開催し、加盟国にパキスタン支援を促す決議を満場一致で採択した。被災地域が広範囲に及び、深刻な被害になっているにもかかわらず、国際的な支援が集まらないためだ。
The United States, which pressed for the U.N. meeting and had already extended 100 million dollars (about 8.5 billion yen) in relief funds for Pakistan, announced that it would contribute an additional 60 million dollars.
国連会合の開催を主導した米国は、拠出済みの１億ドル（約８５億円）に加え、６０００万ドル（約５１億円）の追加支援をすると表明した。
Pakistan has been at the forefront of the war on terrorism. Islamist militant terrorist groups operating there are trying to seize the opportunity to increase their influence under the guise of disaster relief efforts. The international community must offer immediate relief to prevent this natural disaster from helping the terrorists flourish.
パキスタンは対テロ戦争の最前線国だ。国内のイスラム系武装テロ組織は、災害支援を口実に影響力を拡大しようと動いている。自然災害がテロを助長することのないよう、国際社会の早急な支援が求められる。
Millions affected
The flood damage was caused by torrential rain that hit the Indus River basin in northwestern Pakistan in late July. Mud slides and flash floods washed away houses and bridges, and roads were submerged across the affected area.
水害は、パキスタン北西部のインダス川流域を７月下旬に襲った集中豪雨が原因だった。土砂崩れや鉄砲水で、家屋や橋などが流され、道路は各地で水没した。
Damage spread to the middle and lower reaches of the river, killing more than 1,500 people and affecting 20 million people. This means that more than 10 percent of Pakistan's population has been hit by the floods.
影響は中流や下流域にも及び、死者は１５００人余り、被災者は全体で２０００万人に上る。国民の１割超が被災した勘定だ。
Three weeks after the initial damage, more than 8 million people still need emergency relief as they have lost their homes and possessions.
発生から３週間を経た今も、全国で８００万人余りが住まいを失うなど支援を必要としている。
Evacuees reportedly are having difficulty obtaining enough food, water and tents. Besides having to endure hot and humid weather, many--especially children and the elderly--are suffering from cholera caused by worsening sanitary conditions. Many are also suffering from malaria.
避難民は食料や水、テントなどが十分に届かないと訴えている。高温多湿に加え、悪化した衛生状態のため、子供や老人らにコレラやマラリアが発生している。
Given the scale of damage, the United Nations is calling on member nations and relief organizations to extend 460 million dollars in aid. But a number of nations, with their ailing economies, are slow to respond. Aid money offered by the United States, Europe, Australia and some others totals only half the targeted amount.
国連は今回の被災規模から、４億６０００万ドル（約３９１億円）の支援を各国・機関に呼びかけている。しかし、経済不況のもと、各国とも反応は鈍い。米国、欧州、豪州などを合わせても半分にしかならない。
GSDF to help
Japan's state secretary for foreign affairs, Osamu Fujimura, announced at the meeting that Japan would not only extend 14.4 million dollars but also dispatch a helicopter unit of the Ground Self-Defense Force.
日本は、国連会合で藤村修外務副大臣が１４４０万ドル（約１２億３０００万円）の支援に加え、陸上自衛隊のヘリコプター部隊を派遣することを表明した。
The helicopter mission is expected to transport relief materials and rescue people isolated in areas where transport systems have been cut off. This aid measure probably will be the best match for the needs in the disaster-hit areas.
救援物資の輸送や、交通網の寸断で孤立した被災者の救助が期待できる。被災地のニーズに最も合致した支援策といえよう。
The problem is that SDF personnel cannot carry arms with them as the mission is based on the law governing the dispatch of the disaster relief teams. Given the security situation in Pakistan, it cannot be said there is no risk at all for SDF personnel to carry out their mission there.
課題は国際緊急援助隊派遣法に基づく派遣のため、自衛隊員が武器を携行できないことだ。パキスタンの治安状況を考えれば、全く危険がないとは言い切れない。
We consider it problematic that the law is based on the idea that weapons are unnecessary for natural disaster relief activities. In cooperation with the Liberal Democratic Party, which had been calling for revision of the law in this regard, and others, the government should revise the law so SDF personnel could carry weapons with them during any mission in which security concerns exist.
「自然災害での支援だから武器は不要のはず」という発想の援助隊法に問題がある。以前から法改正を主張している自民党などと協力し、治安の悪い場所には武器を携行できるよう改めるべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,Aug. 21, 2010)
（2010年8月21日01時33分 読売新聞）
Japan must lose no time in getting aid to Pakistan
パキスタン洪水 対テロ前線国に支援を急げ（8月21日付・読売社説）
Pakistan has been hit by devastating floods said to be the worst in 80 years.
パキスタンが８０年ぶりという甚大な洪水被害に見舞われている。
It is feared flood damage will continue to spread as monsoon rains are expected to continue through the end of this month.
雨を降らせるモンスーン（季節風）は今月末まで続き、今後も被害の拡大が懸念される。
In a special meeting Thursday, the U.N. General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging member nations to extend emergency relief to the flood-ravaged nation. The meeting was called as international assistance had been insufficient despite the wide extent of the disaster-stricken areas and the seriousness of damage there.
国連総会が特別会合を開催し、加盟国にパキスタン支援を促す決議を満場一致で採択した。被災地域が広範囲に及び、深刻な被害になっているにもかかわらず、国際的な支援が集まらないためだ。
The United States, which pressed for the U.N. meeting and had already extended 100 million dollars (about 8.5 billion yen) in relief funds for Pakistan, announced that it would contribute an additional 60 million dollars.
国連会合の開催を主導した米国は、拠出済みの１億ドル（約８５億円）に加え、６０００万ドル（約５１億円）の追加支援をすると表明した。
Pakistan has been at the forefront of the war on terrorism. Islamist militant terrorist groups operating there are trying to seize the opportunity to increase their influence under the guise of disaster relief efforts. The international community must offer immediate relief to prevent this natural disaster from helping the terrorists flourish.
パキスタンは対テロ戦争の最前線国だ。国内のイスラム系武装テロ組織は、災害支援を口実に影響力を拡大しようと動いている。自然災害がテロを助長することのないよう、国際社会の早急な支援が求められる。
Millions affected
The flood damage was caused by torrential rain that hit the Indus River basin in northwestern Pakistan in late July. Mud slides and flash floods washed away houses and bridges, and roads were submerged across the affected area.
水害は、パキスタン北西部のインダス川流域を７月下旬に襲った集中豪雨が原因だった。土砂崩れや鉄砲水で、家屋や橋などが流され、道路は各地で水没した。
Damage spread to the middle and lower reaches of the river, killing more than 1,500 people and affecting 20 million people. This means that more than 10 percent of Pakistan's population has been hit by the floods.
影響は中流や下流域にも及び、死者は１５００人余り、被災者は全体で２０００万人に上る。国民の１割超が被災した勘定だ。
Three weeks after the initial damage, more than 8 million people still need emergency relief as they have lost their homes and possessions.
発生から３週間を経た今も、全国で８００万人余りが住まいを失うなど支援を必要としている。
Evacuees reportedly are having difficulty obtaining enough food, water and tents. Besides having to endure hot and humid weather, many--especially children and the elderly--are suffering from cholera caused by worsening sanitary conditions. Many are also suffering from malaria.
避難民は食料や水、テントなどが十分に届かないと訴えている。高温多湿に加え、悪化した衛生状態のため、子供や老人らにコレラやマラリアが発生している。
Given the scale of damage, the United Nations is calling on member nations and relief organizations to extend 460 million dollars in aid. But a number of nations, with their ailing economies, are slow to respond. Aid money offered by the United States, Europe, Australia and some others totals only half the targeted amount.
国連は今回の被災規模から、４億６０００万ドル（約３９１億円）の支援を各国・機関に呼びかけている。しかし、経済不況のもと、各国とも反応は鈍い。米国、欧州、豪州などを合わせても半分にしかならない。
GSDF to help
Japan's state secretary for foreign affairs, Osamu Fujimura, announced at the meeting that Japan would not only extend 14.4 million dollars but also dispatch a helicopter unit of the Ground Self-Defense Force.
日本は、国連会合で藤村修外務副大臣が１４４０万ドル（約１２億３０００万円）の支援に加え、陸上自衛隊のヘリコプター部隊を派遣することを表明した。
The helicopter mission is expected to transport relief materials and rescue people isolated in areas where transport systems have been cut off. This aid measure probably will be the best match for the needs in the disaster-hit areas.
救援物資の輸送や、交通網の寸断で孤立した被災者の救助が期待できる。被災地のニーズに最も合致した支援策といえよう。
The problem is that SDF personnel cannot carry arms with them as the mission is based on the law governing the dispatch of the disaster relief teams. Given the security situation in Pakistan, it cannot be said there is no risk at all for SDF personnel to carry out their mission there.
課題は国際緊急援助隊派遣法に基づく派遣のため、自衛隊員が武器を携行できないことだ。パキスタンの治安状況を考えれば、全く危険がないとは言い切れない。
We consider it problematic that the law is based on the idea that weapons are unnecessary for natural disaster relief activities. In cooperation with the Liberal Democratic Party, which had been calling for revision of the law in this regard, and others, the government should revise the law so SDF personnel could carry weapons with them during any mission in which security concerns exist.
「自然災害での支援だから武器は不要のはず」という発想の援助隊法に問題がある。以前から法改正を主張している自民党などと協力し、治安の悪い場所には武器を携行できるよう改めるべきだ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun,Aug. 21, 2010)
（2010年8月21日01時33分 読売新聞）
2010/08/21
民主党代表選 「小鳩」の総括と政策論が先だ
(Aug. 21, 2010)
DPJ should debate policy, shun politicking
民主党代表選 「小鳩」の総括と政策論が先だ（8月20日付・読売社説）
With less than two weeks until campaigning for the Democratic Party of Japan's presidential election gets underway on Sept. 1, each DPJ group has been engaged in an increasing amount of intraparty wheeling and dealing.
来月１日の民主党代表選の告示まで２週間を切り、各グループの駆け引きが活発化している。
On Thursday, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held a seminar for members of his group. The meeting was attended by former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, who heads the ruling party's largest segment.
１９日には鳩山前首相がグループ研修会を開き、党内最大勢力を率いる小沢一郎・前幹事長も出席した。
Ozawa is reportedly considering running in the presidential race, provided he can receive support from a wide range of DPJ members, including those of the Hatoyama group. This has given rise to speculation that Ozawa's attendance at the Thursday meeting may have been part of his preparations for the election.
小沢氏は、鳩山グループなど党内の幅広い支持が得られることを条件に、出馬を検討しているという。研修会への出席も、そのための布石とみられている。
The seminar, which attracted about 150 DPJ lawmakers, served to display Hatoyama's continuing influence within the party. After stepping down as prime minister in early June, Hatoyama at one time expressed his intention to retire from politics.
一時は政界引退を表明していた鳩山氏も、約１５０人の国会議員を研修会に集め、党内への影響力を誇示した。
Hatoyama's move could be seen as an attempt to regain his lost political privileges, by taking advantage of the obvious advances being made toward him by both Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Ozawa. Kan is apparently trying to woo Hatoyama to his side, in the hope of ensuring his reelection as DPJ chief and consequently prime minister. Ozawa is behaving in a similar fashion as he explores the possibility of running in the Sept. 14 election.
再選をめざす菅首相、出馬の可能性を探る小沢氏の双方から秋波を送られる状況を利用し、政治的復権を果たすつもりなのだろう。
DPJ chiefs must fulfill duties
During Thursday's seminar, Hatoyama reiterated his assertion that the DPJ must be firmly united in running the country as the ruling party. He has said he will support Kan's bid to win reelection as DPJ leader if all the party's groups close ranks with each other.
挙党一致を条件に首相続投を支持している鳩山氏は、研修会でも、挙党態勢の構築を求めた。
However, we believe both Ozawa and Hatoyama must look squarely at their respective must-do lists, instead of engaging in calculated activities tied to their party's election.
しかし、小沢氏も鳩山氏も、代表選をにらんで動く前に、なすべきことがあるのではないか。
Hatoyama bears a heavy responsibility for the rift created in the Japan-U.S. relationship as a result of the turmoil that arose from his inconsistent approach to the dispute over the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. Both Hatoyama and Ozawa have yet to fulfill their duty to fully explain about their connections with politics-and-money scandals.
鳩山氏には、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題の迷走で、日米関係に亀裂を生じさせた重い責任がある。「政治とカネ」をめぐる問題では、両氏とも十分な説明責任を果たしていない。
How do Hatoyama and Ozawa appear to the public in these circumstances? These DPJ heavyweights are obviously resorting to an alliance as a political expedient, instead of reflecting on the scandals that erupted when the former was head of the DPJ and the latter was the party's secretary general.
「小鳩」政権時代への反省と厳しい総括をしないまま、合従連衡に走る姿が、国民の目にどう映るだろうか。
Ozawa deserves particular reproach as a Tokyo inquest of prosecution panel continues to reconsider the pros and cons of prosecutors' earlier decision not to indict him over the politics-and-money scandal. If Ozawa enters the DPJ election, he should explain what he will do to settle the dispute over the scandal politically, morally and otherwise.
特に小沢氏の場合、「政治とカネ」の問題で検察審査会の審議が継続中だ。代表選に出馬するなら、どうけじめをつけるのか、具体的に語る必要があろう。
Use election opportunity
Meanwhile, Kan's attitude is no less problematic.
一方、菅首相の対応も、問題なしとは言えない。
During a press conference in late July, he said the list of pledges he would prepare for the DPJ race would not include a rise in the consumption tax rate. Is it acceptable for Kan to use his party's setback in the last House of Councillors election as a reason for retracting his promise to restore fiscal health?
先月末の記者会見で、消費税率引き上げを代表選の公約に掲げないとの考えを示したが、参院選で敗北したからといって、財政健全化の旗まで降ろしてよいのか。
We believe the prime minister should more actively use the DPJ race as an opportunity to deepen intraparty discussions about the controversy over the consumption tax rate.
むしろ代表選を機に、消費税問題の党内論議を深めるぐらいの攻めの姿勢が求められよう。
Another important issue to be taken up in campaigning for the race is how to treat the DPJ manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election.
昨年の衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）をどう扱うかも重要な論点である。
It is easy to see the DPJ-led government will be unable to continue such lavish handouts as child-rearing allowances and toll-free services on expressways, when one considers the need to raise a massive amount of funds for such measures.
子ども手当の支給や高速道路無料化といったバラマキ政策を続けることが財政的に不可能であることは明らかだ。
The DPJ government cannot avoid fundamentally reconsidering the electoral manifesto, given its year-end budget compilation.
年末の予算編成を考えれば、政権公約の大胆な見直しは避けて通れない。
Last year's change in administration means the DPJ race is comparable to the Liberal Democratic Party's earlier presidential elections in that the winner will, in effect, gain a passport to the premiership.
昨年の政権交代で民主党代表選は、かつての自民党総裁選のように首相選びに直結する。
The DPJ should take this to heart. The upcoming presidential race must provide its candidates with an opportunity to compete to discuss what shape our country should take and present policies that would affect people's lives.
民主党はそれを強く自覚し、今回の党首選びを、国家ビジョンや国民生活にかかわる政策を競う場としなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 20, 2010)
（2010年8月20日01時25分 読売新聞）
DPJ should debate policy, shun politicking
民主党代表選 「小鳩」の総括と政策論が先だ（8月20日付・読売社説）
With less than two weeks until campaigning for the Democratic Party of Japan's presidential election gets underway on Sept. 1, each DPJ group has been engaged in an increasing amount of intraparty wheeling and dealing.
来月１日の民主党代表選の告示まで２週間を切り、各グループの駆け引きが活発化している。
On Thursday, former Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama held a seminar for members of his group. The meeting was attended by former DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa, who heads the ruling party's largest segment.
１９日には鳩山前首相がグループ研修会を開き、党内最大勢力を率いる小沢一郎・前幹事長も出席した。
Ozawa is reportedly considering running in the presidential race, provided he can receive support from a wide range of DPJ members, including those of the Hatoyama group. This has given rise to speculation that Ozawa's attendance at the Thursday meeting may have been part of his preparations for the election.
小沢氏は、鳩山グループなど党内の幅広い支持が得られることを条件に、出馬を検討しているという。研修会への出席も、そのための布石とみられている。
The seminar, which attracted about 150 DPJ lawmakers, served to display Hatoyama's continuing influence within the party. After stepping down as prime minister in early June, Hatoyama at one time expressed his intention to retire from politics.
一時は政界引退を表明していた鳩山氏も、約１５０人の国会議員を研修会に集め、党内への影響力を誇示した。
Hatoyama's move could be seen as an attempt to regain his lost political privileges, by taking advantage of the obvious advances being made toward him by both Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Ozawa. Kan is apparently trying to woo Hatoyama to his side, in the hope of ensuring his reelection as DPJ chief and consequently prime minister. Ozawa is behaving in a similar fashion as he explores the possibility of running in the Sept. 14 election.
再選をめざす菅首相、出馬の可能性を探る小沢氏の双方から秋波を送られる状況を利用し、政治的復権を果たすつもりなのだろう。
DPJ chiefs must fulfill duties
During Thursday's seminar, Hatoyama reiterated his assertion that the DPJ must be firmly united in running the country as the ruling party. He has said he will support Kan's bid to win reelection as DPJ leader if all the party's groups close ranks with each other.
挙党一致を条件に首相続投を支持している鳩山氏は、研修会でも、挙党態勢の構築を求めた。
However, we believe both Ozawa and Hatoyama must look squarely at their respective must-do lists, instead of engaging in calculated activities tied to their party's election.
しかし、小沢氏も鳩山氏も、代表選をにらんで動く前に、なすべきことがあるのではないか。
Hatoyama bears a heavy responsibility for the rift created in the Japan-U.S. relationship as a result of the turmoil that arose from his inconsistent approach to the dispute over the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. Both Hatoyama and Ozawa have yet to fulfill their duty to fully explain about their connections with politics-and-money scandals.
鳩山氏には、米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題の迷走で、日米関係に亀裂を生じさせた重い責任がある。「政治とカネ」をめぐる問題では、両氏とも十分な説明責任を果たしていない。
How do Hatoyama and Ozawa appear to the public in these circumstances? These DPJ heavyweights are obviously resorting to an alliance as a political expedient, instead of reflecting on the scandals that erupted when the former was head of the DPJ and the latter was the party's secretary general.
「小鳩」政権時代への反省と厳しい総括をしないまま、合従連衡に走る姿が、国民の目にどう映るだろうか。
Ozawa deserves particular reproach as a Tokyo inquest of prosecution panel continues to reconsider the pros and cons of prosecutors' earlier decision not to indict him over the politics-and-money scandal. If Ozawa enters the DPJ election, he should explain what he will do to settle the dispute over the scandal politically, morally and otherwise.
特に小沢氏の場合、「政治とカネ」の問題で検察審査会の審議が継続中だ。代表選に出馬するなら、どうけじめをつけるのか、具体的に語る必要があろう。
Use election opportunity
Meanwhile, Kan's attitude is no less problematic.
一方、菅首相の対応も、問題なしとは言えない。
During a press conference in late July, he said the list of pledges he would prepare for the DPJ race would not include a rise in the consumption tax rate. Is it acceptable for Kan to use his party's setback in the last House of Councillors election as a reason for retracting his promise to restore fiscal health?
先月末の記者会見で、消費税率引き上げを代表選の公約に掲げないとの考えを示したが、参院選で敗北したからといって、財政健全化の旗まで降ろしてよいのか。
We believe the prime minister should more actively use the DPJ race as an opportunity to deepen intraparty discussions about the controversy over the consumption tax rate.
むしろ代表選を機に、消費税問題の党内論議を深めるぐらいの攻めの姿勢が求められよう。
Another important issue to be taken up in campaigning for the race is how to treat the DPJ manifesto for last year's House of Representatives election.
昨年の衆院選の政権公約（マニフェスト）をどう扱うかも重要な論点である。
It is easy to see the DPJ-led government will be unable to continue such lavish handouts as child-rearing allowances and toll-free services on expressways, when one considers the need to raise a massive amount of funds for such measures.
子ども手当の支給や高速道路無料化といったバラマキ政策を続けることが財政的に不可能であることは明らかだ。
The DPJ government cannot avoid fundamentally reconsidering the electoral manifesto, given its year-end budget compilation.
年末の予算編成を考えれば、政権公約の大胆な見直しは避けて通れない。
Last year's change in administration means the DPJ race is comparable to the Liberal Democratic Party's earlier presidential elections in that the winner will, in effect, gain a passport to the premiership.
昨年の政権交代で民主党代表選は、かつての自民党総裁選のように首相選びに直結する。
The DPJ should take this to heart. The upcoming presidential race must provide its candidates with an opportunity to compete to discuss what shape our country should take and present policies that would affect people's lives.
民主党はそれを強く自覚し、今回の党首選びを、国家ビジョンや国民生活にかかわる政策を競う場としなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 20, 2010)
（2010年8月20日01時25分 読売新聞）
2010/08/20
日韓ＦＴＡ 未来志向で早期妥結をめざせ
農家への個別所得補償制度には反対です。農産物の貿易自由化の足かせとなるからです。結局は国民の税金から負担される訳ですから。農産物の貿易自由化は世界の潮流です。日本だけ特別扱いは許されないでしょう。
所得補償制度を漁業や他の産業に拡大する動きに対しても同じ理由で反対します。
(srachai from khonkaen, thailand)
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 20, 2010)
Get wheels turning on S. Korea trade talks
日韓ＦＴＡ 未来志向で早期妥結をめざせ（8月19日付・読売社説）
Japanese and South Korean industrial circles both hope talks between their governments over a free trade agreement will be concluded soon, according to a recent survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun and a leading South Korean business daily.
日本と韓国の産業界は共に、自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）に関する交渉の早期妥結を望んでいることがわかった。
Responding to the poll taken by the Yomiuri and The Korea Economic Daily, more than 80 percent of 200 major Japanese and South Korean corporations said they thought a free trade accord between the two countries was "necessary." However, bilateral negotiations on a trade deal have been suspended since 2004.
読売新聞社と韓国経済新聞社が実施したアンケート調査で、双方の主要企業２００社の８割超が、２００４年から交渉が中断している日韓ＦＴＡについて、「必要だ」と答えている。
We welcome the readiness expressed by these corporations to deepen relations in a future-oriented manner while competing yet coexisting in observing this year's centennial of Japan's annexation of the Korean Peninsula.
日韓併合１００年という節目を迎え、両国の企業が未来志向で関係を深め、競争と共存を図ろうとする姿勢を歓迎したい。
A free trade agreement is a treaty between two or more nations and territories seeking to reduce or abolish tariffs on industrial, agricultural and other products. Such an accord can do much to expand trade.
ＦＴＡは、特定の国や地域間で鉱工業品や農産物の関税を引き下げたり、撤廃したりすることだ。貿易を拡大する効果がある。
The current round of multilateral trade talks under the World Trade Organization has been stalled due to conflicting interests among WTO member nations. This has given rise to a sharp increase in the number of free trade pacts and economic partnership agreements aimed at expanding the scope of cooperation to include increased investment and other activities. In fact, about 200 FTA and EPA accords have come into effect around the world.
世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）の多国間の貿易自由化交渉は、利害の対立で暗礁に乗り上げた。そこで世界で急増しているのが、ＦＴＡや投資拡大などに協力分野を広げた経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）で、すでに約２００が発効した。
Japan lagging others
However, free trade agreement negotiations between Tokyo and Seoul have been left behind by the trend of the times. The gridlock in bilateral talks can be attributed to Japan's objection to market liberalization targeting farm and marine products, as well as South Korea's concern that its trade deficit with Japan could widen.
ところが、日韓交渉はそうした流れに取り残され、行き詰まっている。日本が農水産物の市場開放に抵抗し、韓国は対日赤字全体の拡大を警戒しているためだ。
A six-year hiatus in bilateral talks is too long. The Japanese and South Korean governments should live up to the expectations of their respective industrial circles when they meet for working-level talks aimed at resuming the negotiations, probably in September.
約６年にも及ぶ中断は余りにも長い。両国は９月にも、交渉再開に向けた実務協議を開くが、産業界の期待に応える必要がある。
Japan's slowness in forming economic partnerships with other countries is exemplified not only by its failure to break the impasse in trade talks with South Korea. This lack of progress is also evident in Tokyo's delay in forming similar ties with other nations and territories.
日本の経済連携の動きは、対韓国ばかりでなく、他国・地域との間でも出遅れが目立つ。
Japan has signed economic partnership agreements with 11 economies, including Singapore and Mexico, that have already taken effect. This nation is struggling to make headway in striking EPA deals with such agricultural powers as Australia and India. It is unknown whether or when the Japanese government will be able to sit at the negotiating table for trade pact talks with the United States and the European Union.
ＥＰＡ発効・署名国は、シンガポール、メキシコなど１１か国・地域にとどまり、農業大国の豪州やインドとの交渉も難航中だ。米国や欧州連合（ＥＵ）については、交渉のメドさえたたない。
DPJ policy won't help
Dogged resistance from the domestic agricultural sector has been a stumbling block to efforts to open this country's market for farm imports.
農業分野の市場開放について、日本国内の抵抗が強いことが、いつも足かせになっている。
The Democratic Party of Japan-led government has introduced an income compensation system for individual rice farming households. However, this lavish handout policy will do nothing to increase the nation's agricultural competitiveness in preparation for trade liberalization.
民主党政権は、コメ農家を対象にした戸別所得補償制度を導入した。しかし、バラマキ政策では、貿易自由化に備えた農業の競争力強化にはつながらない。
The government likely will expand the income compensation program to include fishermen and other workers. This kind of protective policy must be wisely used to help pry open the domestic market.
政府は所得補償制度を漁業などにも拡充する方針だが、こうした保護策を市場開放に向けて活用する道を探らねばなるまい。
Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa, an envoy chosen from the private sector, has expressed a desire to kick off free trade talks between Tokyo and Beijing. Progress in negotiations between Tokyo and Seoul could jump-start similar talks between Japan and China--and even free trade talks involving all three nations.
民間出身の丹羽中国大使は、日中ＦＴＡ交渉の開始に意欲を表明した。日韓ＦＴＡを前進できれば、日中や「日中韓」のＦＴＡ交渉の足がかりにもなる。
South Korea has reached free trade agreements with the United States and the EU. If Seoul gets a head start on Tokyo in starting talks with China, it would deal a blow to Japan.
韓国は米国やＥＵとＦＴＡで合意した。韓国が中国とのＦＴＡで先行すれば、日本には痛手だ。
The administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan has put together a new growth strategy that would utilize the vitality of emerging economies in Asia. If it truly seeks to accomplish that aim, the government should expedite free trade talks.
菅政権は、アジアの活力を取り込む新成長戦略をまとめた。それならば、自由貿易を加速する政治的な行動が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 19, 2010)
（2010年8月19日01時59分 読売新聞）
所得補償制度を漁業や他の産業に拡大する動きに対しても同じ理由で反対します。
(srachai from khonkaen, thailand)
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 20, 2010)
Get wheels turning on S. Korea trade talks
日韓ＦＴＡ 未来志向で早期妥結をめざせ（8月19日付・読売社説）
Japanese and South Korean industrial circles both hope talks between their governments over a free trade agreement will be concluded soon, according to a recent survey conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun and a leading South Korean business daily.
日本と韓国の産業界は共に、自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）に関する交渉の早期妥結を望んでいることがわかった。
Responding to the poll taken by the Yomiuri and The Korea Economic Daily, more than 80 percent of 200 major Japanese and South Korean corporations said they thought a free trade accord between the two countries was "necessary." However, bilateral negotiations on a trade deal have been suspended since 2004.
読売新聞社と韓国経済新聞社が実施したアンケート調査で、双方の主要企業２００社の８割超が、２００４年から交渉が中断している日韓ＦＴＡについて、「必要だ」と答えている。
We welcome the readiness expressed by these corporations to deepen relations in a future-oriented manner while competing yet coexisting in observing this year's centennial of Japan's annexation of the Korean Peninsula.
日韓併合１００年という節目を迎え、両国の企業が未来志向で関係を深め、競争と共存を図ろうとする姿勢を歓迎したい。
A free trade agreement is a treaty between two or more nations and territories seeking to reduce or abolish tariffs on industrial, agricultural and other products. Such an accord can do much to expand trade.
ＦＴＡは、特定の国や地域間で鉱工業品や農産物の関税を引き下げたり、撤廃したりすることだ。貿易を拡大する効果がある。
The current round of multilateral trade talks under the World Trade Organization has been stalled due to conflicting interests among WTO member nations. This has given rise to a sharp increase in the number of free trade pacts and economic partnership agreements aimed at expanding the scope of cooperation to include increased investment and other activities. In fact, about 200 FTA and EPA accords have come into effect around the world.
世界貿易機関（ＷＴＯ）の多国間の貿易自由化交渉は、利害の対立で暗礁に乗り上げた。そこで世界で急増しているのが、ＦＴＡや投資拡大などに協力分野を広げた経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）で、すでに約２００が発効した。
Japan lagging others
However, free trade agreement negotiations between Tokyo and Seoul have been left behind by the trend of the times. The gridlock in bilateral talks can be attributed to Japan's objection to market liberalization targeting farm and marine products, as well as South Korea's concern that its trade deficit with Japan could widen.
ところが、日韓交渉はそうした流れに取り残され、行き詰まっている。日本が農水産物の市場開放に抵抗し、韓国は対日赤字全体の拡大を警戒しているためだ。
A six-year hiatus in bilateral talks is too long. The Japanese and South Korean governments should live up to the expectations of their respective industrial circles when they meet for working-level talks aimed at resuming the negotiations, probably in September.
約６年にも及ぶ中断は余りにも長い。両国は９月にも、交渉再開に向けた実務協議を開くが、産業界の期待に応える必要がある。
Japan's slowness in forming economic partnerships with other countries is exemplified not only by its failure to break the impasse in trade talks with South Korea. This lack of progress is also evident in Tokyo's delay in forming similar ties with other nations and territories.
日本の経済連携の動きは、対韓国ばかりでなく、他国・地域との間でも出遅れが目立つ。
Japan has signed economic partnership agreements with 11 economies, including Singapore and Mexico, that have already taken effect. This nation is struggling to make headway in striking EPA deals with such agricultural powers as Australia and India. It is unknown whether or when the Japanese government will be able to sit at the negotiating table for trade pact talks with the United States and the European Union.
ＥＰＡ発効・署名国は、シンガポール、メキシコなど１１か国・地域にとどまり、農業大国の豪州やインドとの交渉も難航中だ。米国や欧州連合（ＥＵ）については、交渉のメドさえたたない。
DPJ policy won't help
Dogged resistance from the domestic agricultural sector has been a stumbling block to efforts to open this country's market for farm imports.
農業分野の市場開放について、日本国内の抵抗が強いことが、いつも足かせになっている。
The Democratic Party of Japan-led government has introduced an income compensation system for individual rice farming households. However, this lavish handout policy will do nothing to increase the nation's agricultural competitiveness in preparation for trade liberalization.
民主党政権は、コメ農家を対象にした戸別所得補償制度を導入した。しかし、バラマキ政策では、貿易自由化に備えた農業の競争力強化にはつながらない。
The government likely will expand the income compensation program to include fishermen and other workers. This kind of protective policy must be wisely used to help pry open the domestic market.
政府は所得補償制度を漁業などにも拡充する方針だが、こうした保護策を市場開放に向けて活用する道を探らねばなるまい。
Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa, an envoy chosen from the private sector, has expressed a desire to kick off free trade talks between Tokyo and Beijing. Progress in negotiations between Tokyo and Seoul could jump-start similar talks between Japan and China--and even free trade talks involving all three nations.
民間出身の丹羽中国大使は、日中ＦＴＡ交渉の開始に意欲を表明した。日韓ＦＴＡを前進できれば、日中や「日中韓」のＦＴＡ交渉の足がかりにもなる。
South Korea has reached free trade agreements with the United States and the EU. If Seoul gets a head start on Tokyo in starting talks with China, it would deal a blow to Japan.
韓国は米国やＥＵとＦＴＡで合意した。韓国が中国とのＦＴＡで先行すれば、日本には痛手だ。
The administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan has put together a new growth strategy that would utilize the vitality of emerging economies in Asia. If it truly seeks to accomplish that aim, the government should expedite free trade talks.
菅政権は、アジアの活力を取り込む新成長戦略をまとめた。それならば、自由貿易を加速する政治的な行動が求められよう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 19, 2010)
（2010年8月19日01時59分 読売新聞）
2010/08/19
南シナ海 中国進出の抑止は国際連携で
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Aug. 19, 2010)
Intl cooperation vital in South China Sea
南シナ海 中国進出の抑止は国際連携で（8月18日付・読売社説）
China is using its powerful navy to aggressively advance into the South China Sea, a key junction of international sea-lanes. The United States and countries in Asia are increasingly wary of China's moves.
国際的な海上輸送の要衝である南シナ海で、中国が海軍力を背景に高圧的な姿勢で進出しつつあり、米国やアジア諸国が警戒感を強めている。
The U.S. Defense Department said Monday in its annual report to Congress that "current trends in China's military capabilities are a major factor in changing East Asian military balances," referring to its moves in the South China Sea.
米国防総省は１６日に発表した年次報告書で、南シナ海などでの中国の軍事力拡大を「東アジアの軍事バランスを変える主要な要因」と位置づけた。
Japan also cannot overlook China's moves given the fact that it relies on marine transportation for imports of 90 percent of its energy and 60 percent of its food. The government must deepen cooperation with the United States, Vietnam, India and other countries concerned to resolve the problem.
エネルギーの９割、食糧の６割を海上輸送に依存する日本にとっても、看過できない動きだ。政府は、問題解決に向けて米国やベトナム、インドなど関係各国と連携を深めるべきだ。
Territorial disputes
The South China Sea, dotted with more than 200 islands and reefs, including the Spratly Islands, is the stage for several territorial disputes involving China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and other countries.
南シナ海は、スプラトリー（南沙）諸島を中心に、２００を超える島や岩礁が点在し、中国やベトナム、フィリピン、マレーシアなどが領有権を主張している。
In recent years, China has been causing friction with other countries by dispatching its warships in the area on the pretext of protecting its fishing boats.
ところが、中国が近年、自国の漁船保護を名目に海軍艦艇をこの海域に派遣するなど、各国と摩擦を繰り返している。
China is currently building a large submarine base on Hainan Island in the South China Sea. A recent series of such moves can be interpreted as the country's attempt to bring the entire South China Sea under its control, not only for the sake of protecting its interests in oil and maritime resources but also for military reasons, such as to deter any possible intervention by U.S. forces in the event of an emergency involving Taiwan.
海南島では、大規模な潜水艦基地を建設中だ。石油などの海洋権益の確保だけでなく、台湾有事の際に米軍の介入を阻止するなど、軍事的な理由からも、南シナ海全域を中国の勢力下に置こうとしているとみるべきだろう。
China has used the expression "core interests" in regard to its sovereignty and territorial integrity when it refers to Taiwan and Tibet. Recently, the country said it considered the South China Sea part of its "core interests" as well, a move that underlines concerns over China's possible intentions behind its latest moves.
中国が、台湾やチベット問題で使ってきた「核心的利益」という表現を、最近は南シナ海にも使い始めたことも、そうした懸念を裏付けるものだ。
The South China Sea is crossed by vital international sea-lanes that connect the Middle East with the Northeast Asia. No country can be allowed to make exclusive moves in the area. We strongly urge China to restrain itself.
南シナ海は、中東と北東アジアを結ぶ海上交通路（シーレーン）である。この海域で排他的な動きを取ることは認められない。中国には強く自制を求めたい。
Multilateralism a must
Vietnam and other Asian countries are calling on China to resolve territorial disputes through multinational negotiations. But China is unwilling to relax its position that countries claiming sovereignty should separately hold bilateral negotiations.
ベトナムなどアジア各国は、多国間協議で問題解決を図るよう求めている。これに対し中国は、領有権を主張する国同士が２国間協議で話し合うべきだ、という立場を崩していない。
However, if territorial disputes develop into military conflicts, they would significantly affect all countries that use the area's sea-lanes. Given that, it will be reasonable to hold multinational negotiations among countries with interests in the area to discuss ways to ease tensions and measures to build trust.
領有権争いが軍事的な衝突などに発展すれば、この海域をシーレーンとして利用する国々にも甚大な影響が及ぶ。懸念を共有する国も参加する多国間協議で、緊張緩和策や信頼醸成措置を検討するのが筋だろう。
It may also be a good idea to take up the issue at the East Asia Summit, which the United States also plans to join.
新たに米国も加わる予定の東アジア首脳会議（ＥＡＳ）で討議するのも一案ではないか。
In order to persuade China to sit down for multinational negotiations, it will be essential for countries sharing concerns to cooperate with each other.
多国間協議に中国を呼び込むためには、懸念を共有する国が相互に協力し合うことが肝要だ。
The Japanese government launched dialogues on a strategic partnership with India at the end of last year and with Vietnam last month, with the participation of both foreign and defense authorities. We urge the government to proactively take advantage of such dialogues and promote joint actions to alleviate tensions in the South China Sea.
政府は昨年末にはインド、先月にはベトナムとの間で、外務、防衛両省が参加する戦略対話を発足させた。こうした協議の場を積極的に活用し、緊張緩和に向けた共同行動を進めてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 18, 2010)
（2010年8月18日01時43分 読売新聞）
Intl cooperation vital in South China Sea
南シナ海 中国進出の抑止は国際連携で（8月18日付・読売社説）
China is using its powerful navy to aggressively advance into the South China Sea, a key junction of international sea-lanes. The United States and countries in Asia are increasingly wary of China's moves.
国際的な海上輸送の要衝である南シナ海で、中国が海軍力を背景に高圧的な姿勢で進出しつつあり、米国やアジア諸国が警戒感を強めている。
The U.S. Defense Department said Monday in its annual report to Congress that "current trends in China's military capabilities are a major factor in changing East Asian military balances," referring to its moves in the South China Sea.
米国防総省は１６日に発表した年次報告書で、南シナ海などでの中国の軍事力拡大を「東アジアの軍事バランスを変える主要な要因」と位置づけた。
Japan also cannot overlook China's moves given the fact that it relies on marine transportation for imports of 90 percent of its energy and 60 percent of its food. The government must deepen cooperation with the United States, Vietnam, India and other countries concerned to resolve the problem.
エネルギーの９割、食糧の６割を海上輸送に依存する日本にとっても、看過できない動きだ。政府は、問題解決に向けて米国やベトナム、インドなど関係各国と連携を深めるべきだ。
Territorial disputes
The South China Sea, dotted with more than 200 islands and reefs, including the Spratly Islands, is the stage for several territorial disputes involving China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and other countries.
南シナ海は、スプラトリー（南沙）諸島を中心に、２００を超える島や岩礁が点在し、中国やベトナム、フィリピン、マレーシアなどが領有権を主張している。
In recent years, China has been causing friction with other countries by dispatching its warships in the area on the pretext of protecting its fishing boats.
ところが、中国が近年、自国の漁船保護を名目に海軍艦艇をこの海域に派遣するなど、各国と摩擦を繰り返している。
China is currently building a large submarine base on Hainan Island in the South China Sea. A recent series of such moves can be interpreted as the country's attempt to bring the entire South China Sea under its control, not only for the sake of protecting its interests in oil and maritime resources but also for military reasons, such as to deter any possible intervention by U.S. forces in the event of an emergency involving Taiwan.
海南島では、大規模な潜水艦基地を建設中だ。石油などの海洋権益の確保だけでなく、台湾有事の際に米軍の介入を阻止するなど、軍事的な理由からも、南シナ海全域を中国の勢力下に置こうとしているとみるべきだろう。
China has used the expression "core interests" in regard to its sovereignty and territorial integrity when it refers to Taiwan and Tibet. Recently, the country said it considered the South China Sea part of its "core interests" as well, a move that underlines concerns over China's possible intentions behind its latest moves.
中国が、台湾やチベット問題で使ってきた「核心的利益」という表現を、最近は南シナ海にも使い始めたことも、そうした懸念を裏付けるものだ。
The South China Sea is crossed by vital international sea-lanes that connect the Middle East with the Northeast Asia. No country can be allowed to make exclusive moves in the area. We strongly urge China to restrain itself.
南シナ海は、中東と北東アジアを結ぶ海上交通路（シーレーン）である。この海域で排他的な動きを取ることは認められない。中国には強く自制を求めたい。
Multilateralism a must
Vietnam and other Asian countries are calling on China to resolve territorial disputes through multinational negotiations. But China is unwilling to relax its position that countries claiming sovereignty should separately hold bilateral negotiations.
ベトナムなどアジア各国は、多国間協議で問題解決を図るよう求めている。これに対し中国は、領有権を主張する国同士が２国間協議で話し合うべきだ、という立場を崩していない。
However, if territorial disputes develop into military conflicts, they would significantly affect all countries that use the area's sea-lanes. Given that, it will be reasonable to hold multinational negotiations among countries with interests in the area to discuss ways to ease tensions and measures to build trust.
領有権争いが軍事的な衝突などに発展すれば、この海域をシーレーンとして利用する国々にも甚大な影響が及ぶ。懸念を共有する国も参加する多国間協議で、緊張緩和策や信頼醸成措置を検討するのが筋だろう。
It may also be a good idea to take up the issue at the East Asia Summit, which the United States also plans to join.
新たに米国も加わる予定の東アジア首脳会議（ＥＡＳ）で討議するのも一案ではないか。
In order to persuade China to sit down for multinational negotiations, it will be essential for countries sharing concerns to cooperate with each other.
多国間協議に中国を呼び込むためには、懸念を共有する国が相互に協力し合うことが肝要だ。
The Japanese government launched dialogues on a strategic partnership with India at the end of last year and with Vietnam last month, with the participation of both foreign and defense authorities. We urge the government to proactively take advantage of such dialogues and promote joint actions to alleviate tensions in the South China Sea.
政府は昨年末にはインド、先月にはベトナムとの間で、外務、防衛両省が参加する戦略対話を発足させた。こうした協議の場を積極的に活用し、緊張緩和に向けた共同行動を進めてもらいたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 18, 2010)
（2010年8月18日01時43分 読売新聞）
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