The Yomiuri Shimbun November 6, 2013
Civilian casualties in drone attacks must be prevented from expanding
米軍無人機攻撃 民間人の犠牲拡大を阻止せよ（11月5日付・読売社説）
Drone strikes that kill civilians have been drawing a backlash against U.S.-led operations to eliminate terrorist groups. The goal of the U.S.-led counterterrorism campaign may be threatened unless the number of victims of wrongly targeted drone attacks is prevented from increasing.
無人機による民間人への誤爆が、米軍主導のテロ掃討作戦への反発を招いている。誤爆の犠牲者の拡大を食い止めなければ、作戦の遂行も危うくなりかねない。
A U.N. expert tasked with investigating drone attacks conducted by the United States and Britain as antiterrorist operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan has issued a report through the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly.
対テロ作戦として米国や英国がパキスタンやアフガニスタンで進める無人機攻撃の実態に関し、国連に調査を依頼された専門家が国連総会第３委員会で報告した。
Since 2004, civilian deaths in drone attacks have reportedly exceeded 450.
攻撃の巻き添えで死亡した民間人は、２００４年以降、合計で４５０人を上回るという。
The United States is said to have started strikes against terrorists with missile-firing drones around 2001.
米国は０１年頃から、対テロ作戦でミサイルなどを備えた無人機による攻撃を開始したとされる。
After the whereabouts of strike targets are determined in cooperation with informants, a drone remotely controlled from a base on the U.S. mainland is sent into the skies over the targeted spots. The strike is launched after the target is spotted by the built-in radar and an onboard camera.
情報提供者の協力で敵の所在を突き止め、米本土の基地から遠隔操作で無人機を現場上空に送り込む。搭載したレーダーやカメラで標的を見極めて攻撃する。
Drone attacks have the advantage of not causing U.S. casualties. In addition, drones offer airborne access to areas that are otherwise only accessible over land routes that pass through tribal areas in Pakistan and are very difficult to traverse. Capable of long flights and instant attacks, drones have proved effective in eliminating hiding terrorist suspects.
米国側に人的損害が出ない上、パキスタンの部族地域のように陸上からは接近が難しい場所でも、上空からならたやすい。長時間の滞空が可能で即時攻撃能力があるので、潜伏中のテロ容疑者の掃討に威力を発揮している。
One example is the recent strike that killed the supreme leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
最近も「パキスタン・タリバン運動」の最高指導者を攻撃して、殺害したことが判明した。
As pointed out by the U.N. report, drones are designed to access and strike targets with precision-guided weapons, thereby minimizing collateral casualties.
国連報告が指摘しているように、無人機は本来、敵に接近して精密誘導兵器で攻撃を行う。誤爆はむしろ防ぎやすいはずだ。
But if there have been as many erroneous drone strikes as reported, it will be necessary to follow targets precisely via intelligence gathering activities on the ground.
だが、実際に誤爆が多いとすれば、地上の情報収集で敵の動静を的確に把握することが必要だ。
Enhance transparency
The U.N. report recommended that the United States disclose information about drone strikes that result in civilian casualties. Although Washington has revealed almost no information about its drone strike program, it should disclose information about drone strikes suspected to have led to civilian casualties.
国連報告は、米国に対し、民間人誤爆に関する情報を公開するよう勧告した。米政府は、無人機攻撃の作戦情報をほとんど公開していない。誤爆と疑われる場合は、情報を開示すべきである。
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called for an end to drone strikes during a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama last month.
パキスタンのシャリフ首相は先月、オバマ米大統領と会談し、無人機攻撃の中止を求めた。
But Obama plans to continue the attacks as the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan approaches. Before the withdrawal is completed next year, the United States presumably wants to eliminate as many leaders of terrorist groups escaping from Afghanistan into Pakistan as possible.
だが、大統領は無人機攻撃は続行する方針だ。米軍のアフガン撤退が来年に迫っている。それまでに、アフガンからパキスタンに逃げ込んでいるテロ組織幹部をできるだけ排除したいのだろう。
Pakistan has joined in antiterrorist campaigns. The United States and Pakistan are urged to cooperate in mopping up terrorist groups for the benefit of regional stabilization.
テロとの戦いには、パキスタンも加わっている。米パ両国は地域の安定のため、協力してテロ勢力掃討に取り組んでもらいたい。
U.S. drone strikes have been declining since peaking in 2010. Obama has already announced his intention to scale back on such attacks and enhance their transparency.
米国の無人機攻撃は１０年をピークに減少傾向にある。大統領は攻撃規模を縮小し、透明性を高める意向を既に明らかにしている。
It is worrying, however, that more and more countries have been introducing drones. Drones must not be left uncontrolled as lethal stealth weapons. International efforts must be accelerated to work out global rules on such matters as public disclosure.
一方で、無人機を導入する国が増えているのは気がかりだ。秘密の殺人兵器として、野放しにしてはなるまい。情報開示など国際規範作りへの検討を急ぎたい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 5, 2013)
（2013年11月5日02時10分 読売新聞）
2013/11/07
2013/11/06
武器輸出３原則 国際協力推進へ一層の緩和を
そもそも武器を造るというのが間違っています。
現状で問題ないでしょう。
防護服は武器ではありません。
ベトナム戦争特需、朝鮮戦争特需こそ反省すべきだと思います。
一体どのくらい多くの人たちが、日本製の武器で殺戮されたのでしょうか。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun November 5, 2013
Ease arms exports principles further to promote international cooperation
武器輸出３原則 国際協力推進へ一層の緩和を（11月4日付・読売社説）
In keeping with the times, it is essential for the government to deepen international cooperation with such countries as the United States in the area of defense equipment by further easing its three principles on arms exports.
時代の流れを踏まえて米国などとの装備面での国際協力を深めるには、武器輸出３原則の一層の緩和が欠かせない。
The government has included a policy of reviewing the three principles in its draft of a national security strategy to be drawn up next month, the first of its kind.
政府は、今年１２月に策定する初の国家安全保障戦略の原案に、武器輸出３原則を見直す方針を盛り込んだ。
It is reasonable for the government to review the defense equipment policy so that Japan’s defense technology and the domestic production base, which has been declining for many years, can be maintained at a certain level and support national security.
長年、右肩下がり傾向にある日本の防衛技術・生産基盤を維持し、安全保障に役立つ方向に防衛装備政策を見直すのは当然だ。
In December 2011, the administration of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda eased the three principles, making it possible for Japan to export arms or send them abroad for peace-building efforts, and to jointly develop and produce them with other countries.
２０１１年１２月に野田内閣は、３原則を緩和し、武器の平和構築目的の輸出・供与や、国際共同開発・生産を包括的に可能にした。
Relaxation of the principles was historically significant. But various problems emerged as the eased principles were applied.
歴史的な意義を持つものだったが、実際に運用する中で、様々な課題が浮かび上がっている。
The government gave heavy machinery to Haiti for peaceful purposes after Self-Defense Forces personnel sent to the country for U.N. peace-keeping operations completed their mission there. The government has also decided to provide the Philippines with patrol vessels.
平和目的としては、自衛隊が国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）に赴いたハイチに重機を提供し、フィリピンに巡視船供与を決定した。
Yet the provision of such equipment requires the signing of an intergovernmental agreement under which Japan calls on the recipient country to “strictly manage the equipment” so it cannot be used for other than intended purposes or transferred to a third country.
ただ、こうした供与には、目的外使用や第三国移転がないよう、相手国に「厳格な管理」を求める政府間取り決めの締結が必要だ。
Furthermore, the equipment cannot be offered to international or nongovernmental organizations.
国際機関や民間活動団体（ＮＧＯ）への提供もできない。
More transfers expected
In the future, there are likely to be situations in which Japan’s international disaster relief teams will leave behind heavy equipment in a disaster-affected country, or Japan will offer chemical hazard suits to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. It is important to review the principles so they can be applied more flexibly.
国際緊急援助隊が被災地に重機を残す。化学兵器禁止機関（ＯＰＣＷ）に化学防護服を供与する。こうした例も今後は想定される。より機動的で柔軟な制度に見直すことが重要である。
With regards to the joint development and production of weapons with other countries, it is mandatory that the transfer of such arms to a third country be formally approved beforehand by Japan.
国際共同開発・生産では、第三国移転について日本の事前同意手続きが義務づけられている。
It is reasonable to require prior consent from Japan for the transfer of such things as the new U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jet, as 40 percent of its parts are Japanese-made. But it would be realistic to simplify the prior consent for products that have only a few Japanese-made components.
新型戦闘機Ｆ３５のように日本が最大４割の部品を生産するなら事前同意は当然だが、ごく一部しか製造しない場合、事前同意は簡略化するのが現実的だろう。
As a matter of fact, the United States has sounded out Japan over the export of surface-to-air missile parts, whose production has been discontinued in the United States. But because of the prior-consent requirements, this has not been realized.
実際、米国で製造中止となった地対空ミサイル部品の輸出を米側に打診されながら、事前同意が障害となって実現していない。
The export of these parts is the embodiment of international cooperation, and would reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance in the area of defense equipment. And widely expanding joint development with other countries such as Britain, France and Australia would enhance Japan’s defense technology. Excessive restraints should be removed.
こうした部品輸出は、まさに国際協力であり、装備面で日米同盟を強化する。英仏豪などとも幅広い共同開発を進めることは、日本の防衛技術を向上させる。過剰な制約は取り払うべきだ。
The repair of aircraft of the U.S. forces by Japanese firms overseas or the export of finished arms products, for instance, could also be considered international cooperation. The government should review the three principles from a broader perspective.
日本企業が海外で米軍の航空機を修繕したり、武器の完成品を輸出したりすることも、国際協力となり得る。より多角的に、３原則の見直しを検討してはどうか。
On the other hand, the export of general-purpose parts, such as a warship’s engine parts, which can be used either militarily or commercially, comes under an approval system stipulated by the foreign trade control law but is not subject to the three principles.
一方、艦船のエンジン部品など武器にも民生用にも使える汎用品の輸出は原則、外為法で許可制ではあるが、３原則の対象外だ。
To prevent these general-purpose products from being transferred to China and North Korea via a third country, which could adversely affect Japan’s national security, it is necessary to reinforce screening more than ever.
こうした汎用品が第三国経由で中国や北朝鮮に移転され、日本の安全保障に悪影響を与えることを防ぐには、従来以上に審査を強化することが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 4, 2013)
（2013年11月4日01時49分 読売新聞）
現状で問題ないでしょう。
防護服は武器ではありません。
ベトナム戦争特需、朝鮮戦争特需こそ反省すべきだと思います。
一体どのくらい多くの人たちが、日本製の武器で殺戮されたのでしょうか。
（スラチャイ）
The Yomiuri Shimbun November 5, 2013
Ease arms exports principles further to promote international cooperation
武器輸出３原則 国際協力推進へ一層の緩和を（11月4日付・読売社説）
In keeping with the times, it is essential for the government to deepen international cooperation with such countries as the United States in the area of defense equipment by further easing its three principles on arms exports.
時代の流れを踏まえて米国などとの装備面での国際協力を深めるには、武器輸出３原則の一層の緩和が欠かせない。
The government has included a policy of reviewing the three principles in its draft of a national security strategy to be drawn up next month, the first of its kind.
政府は、今年１２月に策定する初の国家安全保障戦略の原案に、武器輸出３原則を見直す方針を盛り込んだ。
It is reasonable for the government to review the defense equipment policy so that Japan’s defense technology and the domestic production base, which has been declining for many years, can be maintained at a certain level and support national security.
長年、右肩下がり傾向にある日本の防衛技術・生産基盤を維持し、安全保障に役立つ方向に防衛装備政策を見直すのは当然だ。
In December 2011, the administration of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda eased the three principles, making it possible for Japan to export arms or send them abroad for peace-building efforts, and to jointly develop and produce them with other countries.
２０１１年１２月に野田内閣は、３原則を緩和し、武器の平和構築目的の輸出・供与や、国際共同開発・生産を包括的に可能にした。
Relaxation of the principles was historically significant. But various problems emerged as the eased principles were applied.
歴史的な意義を持つものだったが、実際に運用する中で、様々な課題が浮かび上がっている。
The government gave heavy machinery to Haiti for peaceful purposes after Self-Defense Forces personnel sent to the country for U.N. peace-keeping operations completed their mission there. The government has also decided to provide the Philippines with patrol vessels.
平和目的としては、自衛隊が国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）に赴いたハイチに重機を提供し、フィリピンに巡視船供与を決定した。
Yet the provision of such equipment requires the signing of an intergovernmental agreement under which Japan calls on the recipient country to “strictly manage the equipment” so it cannot be used for other than intended purposes or transferred to a third country.
ただ、こうした供与には、目的外使用や第三国移転がないよう、相手国に「厳格な管理」を求める政府間取り決めの締結が必要だ。
Furthermore, the equipment cannot be offered to international or nongovernmental organizations.
国際機関や民間活動団体（ＮＧＯ）への提供もできない。
More transfers expected
In the future, there are likely to be situations in which Japan’s international disaster relief teams will leave behind heavy equipment in a disaster-affected country, or Japan will offer chemical hazard suits to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. It is important to review the principles so they can be applied more flexibly.
国際緊急援助隊が被災地に重機を残す。化学兵器禁止機関（ＯＰＣＷ）に化学防護服を供与する。こうした例も今後は想定される。より機動的で柔軟な制度に見直すことが重要である。
With regards to the joint development and production of weapons with other countries, it is mandatory that the transfer of such arms to a third country be formally approved beforehand by Japan.
国際共同開発・生産では、第三国移転について日本の事前同意手続きが義務づけられている。
It is reasonable to require prior consent from Japan for the transfer of such things as the new U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jet, as 40 percent of its parts are Japanese-made. But it would be realistic to simplify the prior consent for products that have only a few Japanese-made components.
新型戦闘機Ｆ３５のように日本が最大４割の部品を生産するなら事前同意は当然だが、ごく一部しか製造しない場合、事前同意は簡略化するのが現実的だろう。
As a matter of fact, the United States has sounded out Japan over the export of surface-to-air missile parts, whose production has been discontinued in the United States. But because of the prior-consent requirements, this has not been realized.
実際、米国で製造中止となった地対空ミサイル部品の輸出を米側に打診されながら、事前同意が障害となって実現していない。
The export of these parts is the embodiment of international cooperation, and would reinforce the Japan-U.S. alliance in the area of defense equipment. And widely expanding joint development with other countries such as Britain, France and Australia would enhance Japan’s defense technology. Excessive restraints should be removed.
こうした部品輸出は、まさに国際協力であり、装備面で日米同盟を強化する。英仏豪などとも幅広い共同開発を進めることは、日本の防衛技術を向上させる。過剰な制約は取り払うべきだ。
The repair of aircraft of the U.S. forces by Japanese firms overseas or the export of finished arms products, for instance, could also be considered international cooperation. The government should review the three principles from a broader perspective.
日本企業が海外で米軍の航空機を修繕したり、武器の完成品を輸出したりすることも、国際協力となり得る。より多角的に、３原則の見直しを検討してはどうか。
On the other hand, the export of general-purpose parts, such as a warship’s engine parts, which can be used either militarily or commercially, comes under an approval system stipulated by the foreign trade control law but is not subject to the three principles.
一方、艦船のエンジン部品など武器にも民生用にも使える汎用品の輸出は原則、外為法で許可制ではあるが、３原則の対象外だ。
To prevent these general-purpose products from being transferred to China and North Korea via a third country, which could adversely affect Japan’s national security, it is necessary to reinforce screening more than ever.
こうした汎用品が第三国経由で中国や北朝鮮に移転され、日本の安全保障に悪影響を与えることを防ぐには、従来以上に審査を強化することが求められる。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 4, 2013)
（2013年11月4日01時49分 読売新聞）
2013/11/05
日露２プラス２ 「領土」への信頼を醸成したい
The Yomiuri Shimbun November 4, 2013
Japan-Russia 2-plus-2 meeting likely to advance northern territories talks
日露２プラス２ 「領土」への信頼を醸成したい（11月3日付・読売社説）
Enhancement of security cooperation between Japan and Russia will greatly contribute to peace and stability in East Asia. We expect confidence building between the two countries to lead to solving the dispute over the Russian-held northern territories.
日露が安全保障協力を強化することは、東アジアの平和と安定に寄与する。互いの信頼を醸成することで北方領土問題の解決にもつなげたい。
Tokyo and Moscow held their first “two-plus-two” meeting of foreign and defense ministers in Tokyo on Saturday. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to hold the meeting during their summit talks in April.
日露両政府が東京で、初の外務・防衛閣僚協議（２プラス２）を開催した。４月に安倍首相とプーチン大統領が首脳会談で合意したものだ。
It is the third two-plus-two framework for Japan following those with the United States and Australia. The two-plus-two framework has propelled Japan-Russia relations to a new phase.
日本にとって、米、豪に続く３か国目の２プラス２である。日露関係は新たな段階に入った。
The two nations agreed at the meeting to develop search-and-rescue exercises in the Far East, and conduct joint antipiracy and counterterrorism exercises in seas off Somalia between the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Russian Navy.
協議では、海上自衛隊とロシア海軍が、極東で捜索・救難訓練を拡充し、ソマリア沖ではテロや海賊対策のための共同訓練を実施することで一致した。
Meanwhile, China is ramping up its efforts to become a maritime power and taking a hard-line stance in waters around the Senkaku Islands and the South China Sea. The country has also taken an interest in the Arctic, irritating Russia. In that sense, a closer security partnership of Japan and Russia is also significant as a means to put pressure on China.
「海洋強国化」を加速する中国は、尖閣諸島周辺や南シナ海で強硬姿勢を示している。北極圏にも関心を抱き、ロシアは神経をとがらせている。日露が安全保障で緊密に連携するのは、中国への牽制(けんせい)という観点からも意義がある。
Besides, North Korea’s nuclear and missile ambitions are common problems for Russia and Japan. Improvement of mutual communications between them will serve their national interests.
北朝鮮のミサイル・核も共通の課題だ。意思疎通を良くすることは双方の国益に合致しよう。
Japan and Russia also agreed to launch bilateral cybersecurity talks to counter cyber-attacks, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Japan has already held cybersecurity talks with the United States. Deepening discussions with Russia is essential to establish international rules on cybersecurity.
日露は、高度化するサイバー攻撃に対応するため、安全保障協議を新設することでも合意した。
日本は既に米国と「サイバー対話」を実施している。国際ルールの確立に向けて、ロシアと議論を深めることも欠かせない。
The Russian side has also shown its understanding for specific Japanese security policies such as Abe’s idea of making Japan a proactive contributor to peace and a planned revision of the nation’s National Defense Program Guidelines.
安倍政権が掲げる「積極的平和主義」の理念や、防衛大綱の見直しなど具体的な安全保障政策にロシア側は理解を示したという。
Further dialogue needed
However, the Russian side expressed strong concern about a missile defense system being advanced jointly by Japan and the United States because, it said, the system “could disrupt the strategic balance in the Asia-Pacific region.” This concern is related to Moscow’s worries that its nuclear deterrence could be undermined with the missile defense program the United States is developing in Europe.
一方でロシアは、日米が進めるミサイル防衛には「アジア太平洋地域の戦略的バランスを崩す」と強い懸念を表明した。米国が欧州で進めるミサイル防衛計画で、ロシアの核抑止力が弱まることへの警戒感と連動するからだ。
It is necessary to deepen mutual understanding by having the two countries’ defense ministers exchange visits. Russian military planes intruded in Japanese airspace in February and August. Tokyo and Moscow should have more talks to avoid a dangerous confrontation.
防衛相の相互訪問によって、一層理解を深める必要がある。２月と８月にはロシア機による領空侵犯があった。危険な衝突を防ぐためにも対話を重ねるべきだ。
Prior to the two-plus-two talks, the Japanese and Russian foreign ministers held a meeting and agreed to hold vice-foreign-ministerial talks early next year to discuss issues related to the northern territories. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida is scheduled to visit Russia next spring.
２プラス２に先立つ日露外相会談では、北方領土問題について話し合う外務次官級協議を来年早々に開くことで一致した。来春には岸田外相が訪露する。
His Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, said at a press conference that a dialogue should be held in an environment in which participants could be constructive and unemotional without making challenging remarks. It is true that talks on the northern territories will never advance if Japan-Russian relations deteriorate.
ラブロフ外相は記者会見で、「対話は建設的で感情的にならず、挑発的発言を避ける環境で行われるべきだ」と語った。日露関係が険悪になれば、北方領土は動かないのは確かである。
As Abe said, negotiations on the northern territories have to be advanced in the process of expanding Japan-Russia cooperation to a wider variety of fields. The two-plus-two framework will be a basis for the territorial negotiations, which face a bumpy road ahead.
安倍首相が言うように、日露協力を多様な分野に広げる中で、領土交渉も進展させる必要がある。交渉の道のりは険しいが、２プラス２はその土台になるだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 3, 2013)
（2013年11月3日01時35分 読売新聞）
Japan-Russia 2-plus-2 meeting likely to advance northern territories talks
日露２プラス２ 「領土」への信頼を醸成したい（11月3日付・読売社説）
Enhancement of security cooperation between Japan and Russia will greatly contribute to peace and stability in East Asia. We expect confidence building between the two countries to lead to solving the dispute over the Russian-held northern territories.
日露が安全保障協力を強化することは、東アジアの平和と安定に寄与する。互いの信頼を醸成することで北方領土問題の解決にもつなげたい。
Tokyo and Moscow held their first “two-plus-two” meeting of foreign and defense ministers in Tokyo on Saturday. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to hold the meeting during their summit talks in April.
日露両政府が東京で、初の外務・防衛閣僚協議（２プラス２）を開催した。４月に安倍首相とプーチン大統領が首脳会談で合意したものだ。
It is the third two-plus-two framework for Japan following those with the United States and Australia. The two-plus-two framework has propelled Japan-Russia relations to a new phase.
日本にとって、米、豪に続く３か国目の２プラス２である。日露関係は新たな段階に入った。
The two nations agreed at the meeting to develop search-and-rescue exercises in the Far East, and conduct joint antipiracy and counterterrorism exercises in seas off Somalia between the Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Russian Navy.
協議では、海上自衛隊とロシア海軍が、極東で捜索・救難訓練を拡充し、ソマリア沖ではテロや海賊対策のための共同訓練を実施することで一致した。
Meanwhile, China is ramping up its efforts to become a maritime power and taking a hard-line stance in waters around the Senkaku Islands and the South China Sea. The country has also taken an interest in the Arctic, irritating Russia. In that sense, a closer security partnership of Japan and Russia is also significant as a means to put pressure on China.
「海洋強国化」を加速する中国は、尖閣諸島周辺や南シナ海で強硬姿勢を示している。北極圏にも関心を抱き、ロシアは神経をとがらせている。日露が安全保障で緊密に連携するのは、中国への牽制(けんせい)という観点からも意義がある。
Besides, North Korea’s nuclear and missile ambitions are common problems for Russia and Japan. Improvement of mutual communications between them will serve their national interests.
北朝鮮のミサイル・核も共通の課題だ。意思疎通を良くすることは双方の国益に合致しよう。
Japan and Russia also agreed to launch bilateral cybersecurity talks to counter cyber-attacks, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Japan has already held cybersecurity talks with the United States. Deepening discussions with Russia is essential to establish international rules on cybersecurity.
日露は、高度化するサイバー攻撃に対応するため、安全保障協議を新設することでも合意した。
日本は既に米国と「サイバー対話」を実施している。国際ルールの確立に向けて、ロシアと議論を深めることも欠かせない。
The Russian side has also shown its understanding for specific Japanese security policies such as Abe’s idea of making Japan a proactive contributor to peace and a planned revision of the nation’s National Defense Program Guidelines.
安倍政権が掲げる「積極的平和主義」の理念や、防衛大綱の見直しなど具体的な安全保障政策にロシア側は理解を示したという。
Further dialogue needed
However, the Russian side expressed strong concern about a missile defense system being advanced jointly by Japan and the United States because, it said, the system “could disrupt the strategic balance in the Asia-Pacific region.” This concern is related to Moscow’s worries that its nuclear deterrence could be undermined with the missile defense program the United States is developing in Europe.
一方でロシアは、日米が進めるミサイル防衛には「アジア太平洋地域の戦略的バランスを崩す」と強い懸念を表明した。米国が欧州で進めるミサイル防衛計画で、ロシアの核抑止力が弱まることへの警戒感と連動するからだ。
It is necessary to deepen mutual understanding by having the two countries’ defense ministers exchange visits. Russian military planes intruded in Japanese airspace in February and August. Tokyo and Moscow should have more talks to avoid a dangerous confrontation.
防衛相の相互訪問によって、一層理解を深める必要がある。２月と８月にはロシア機による領空侵犯があった。危険な衝突を防ぐためにも対話を重ねるべきだ。
Prior to the two-plus-two talks, the Japanese and Russian foreign ministers held a meeting and agreed to hold vice-foreign-ministerial talks early next year to discuss issues related to the northern territories. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida is scheduled to visit Russia next spring.
２プラス２に先立つ日露外相会談では、北方領土問題について話し合う外務次官級協議を来年早々に開くことで一致した。来春には岸田外相が訪露する。
His Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, said at a press conference that a dialogue should be held in an environment in which participants could be constructive and unemotional without making challenging remarks. It is true that talks on the northern territories will never advance if Japan-Russian relations deteriorate.
ラブロフ外相は記者会見で、「対話は建設的で感情的にならず、挑発的発言を避ける環境で行われるべきだ」と語った。日露関係が険悪になれば、北方領土は動かないのは確かである。
As Abe said, negotiations on the northern territories have to be advanced in the process of expanding Japan-Russia cooperation to a wider variety of fields. The two-plus-two framework will be a basis for the territorial negotiations, which face a bumpy road ahead.
安倍首相が言うように、日露協力を多様な分野に広げる中で、領土交渉も進展させる必要がある。交渉の道のりは険しいが、２プラス２はその土台になるだろう。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 3, 2013)
（2013年11月3日01時35分 読売新聞）
2013/11/04
山本議員の直訴 天皇の政治利用に自覚がない
The Yomiuri Shimbun November 3, 2013
Attempt by Yamamoto to use Emperor for political purposes is outrageous
山本議員の直訴 天皇の政治利用に自覚がない（11月2日付・読売社説）
To what extent is Taro Yamamoto aware as a lawmaker? His outrageous behavior at an Imperial garden party makes us doubt his qualifications.
国会議員としての自覚が果たしてどこまであるのだろう。その資質を疑うしかない。あきれた行動である。
Yamamoto, a member of the House of Councillors, handed a letter directly to the Emperor at the autumn Imperial garden party held Thursday in the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Motoakasaka, Tokyo. After his unprecedented action, the grand chamberlain received the letter from the Emperor.
山本太郎参院議員が先月３１日に東京・元赤坂の赤坂御苑で開かれた秋の園遊会で、天皇陛下に直接手紙を手渡した前代未聞の問題だ。手紙は侍従長が引き取った。
The letter referred to health problems of children and the labor environment surrounding workers in the aftermath of the radioactive emissions at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, according to Yamamoto. “I wrote the letter out of the desire to tell His Majesty about the real situation,” he said.
山本氏によると、手紙は東京電力福島第一原発事故に関する東日本の子どもたちの健康被害や現場の作業員の労働環境についてだった。「現実を陛下に知っていただきたいとしたためた」という。
But the reasonable way for him to behave as a lawmaker is to take up the issue in a question-and-answer session in the Diet. It is natural that his action has been criticized as intended to “use the Emperor for political purposes.”
しかし、国会議員なら、原発を巡る問題は、国会の質疑の場で取り上げるのが筋だ。山本氏の行為自体、「天皇の政治利用」と非難されて当然である。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga expressed displeasure, saying, “Common sense informs us whether handing a letter directly [to the Emperor] in such a situation is appropriate.” It is no wonder that lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties uniformly criticized Yamamoto’s action as outrageous for a lawmaker.
菅官房長官が「手紙を渡すことがその場にふさわしいかどうか、常識的な線引きがある」と不快感を示し、与野党から一斉に「国会議員として常軌を逸する行為だ」といった批判が噴出したのも、無理はない。
Yamamoto, a former actor, ran as an independent in the upper house election in July from the Tokyo constituency, calling for “ending nuclear power generation,” and was elected to his first term. He is known as a staunch opponent of restarting the nation’s nuclear reactors. He presumably handed the letter to the Emperor to promote his political stance.
元俳優の山本氏は、今年７月の参院選で「脱原発」を訴えて東京選挙区から無所属で出馬し、初当選した。原発再稼働反対派の急先鋒(せんぽう)として知られる。自らの政治姿勢をアピールするために、手紙を手渡したのではないか。
Passing the buck
He said, “I wasn’t aware my action violated the rules.” He passed the buck to the media, saying: “[My action] has been denounced as one intended for political purposes because the matter was played up by the media. The mass media are the ones that are using [the Emperor] for political purposes.”
山本氏は、「ルールに反しているという意識はなかった」という。「マスコミが騒ぐから政治利用にされてしまう。政治利用しているのはマスコミのほうだ」と報道に責任を転嫁している。
However, only a limited number of people are allowed to attend the Imperial garden party. Yamamoto was able to attend because he was invited as an upper house member. His action was taken up by the media because he petitioned the Emperor in the presence of cameramen and photographers by taking advantage of his status as Diet member.
だが、園遊会に参列できるのは、ごく限られた人だけである。山本氏も参院議員だから招待された。報道カメラの前で、国会議員としての地位を利用して天皇陛下に「請願」したからこそ、騒がれる事態になったのである。
In the first place, what did Yamamoto intend to do by taking up the nuclear issue in a letter to the Emperor?
そもそも、山本氏は、手紙で原発の問題を伝えて、どうするつもりだったのだろう。
Under the Constitution, the Emperor does not have any political function. Even allowing for the principle of sovereignty residing with the people, Yamamoto’s behavior can only be considered outrageous.
憲法上、天皇は政治的な権能を持たない。主権在民の原則をもってしても、奇っ怪極まる行動と言わざるを得ない。
It is appalling that a man who does not know the meaning of his action and cannot imagine its consequences is occupying a Diet seat.
自分のとった行為の意味がわからず、どんな影響を及ぼすかも想像できない人物が、国会議員であることには驚くばかりだ。
After hearing explanations from Yamamoto about his behavior, the upper house Rules and Administration Committee unanimously agreed his action can be construed as unpardonable for a lawmaker and discussions are necessary to prevent a recurrence.
参院議院運営委員会は、山本氏からの事情聴取を踏まえて、国会議員としてのあるまじき行為であり、再発防止について議論が必要だとの認識で一致した。
The committee stopped short of deciding on punishment. But acts such as Yamamoto’s cannot go unpunished.
処分については結論は出なかったが、山本氏のような行為を黙認するわけにはいくまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 2, 2013)
（2013年11月2日01時32分 読売新聞）
Attempt by Yamamoto to use Emperor for political purposes is outrageous
山本議員の直訴 天皇の政治利用に自覚がない（11月2日付・読売社説）
To what extent is Taro Yamamoto aware as a lawmaker? His outrageous behavior at an Imperial garden party makes us doubt his qualifications.
国会議員としての自覚が果たしてどこまであるのだろう。その資質を疑うしかない。あきれた行動である。
Yamamoto, a member of the House of Councillors, handed a letter directly to the Emperor at the autumn Imperial garden party held Thursday in the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Motoakasaka, Tokyo. After his unprecedented action, the grand chamberlain received the letter from the Emperor.
山本太郎参院議員が先月３１日に東京・元赤坂の赤坂御苑で開かれた秋の園遊会で、天皇陛下に直接手紙を手渡した前代未聞の問題だ。手紙は侍従長が引き取った。
The letter referred to health problems of children and the labor environment surrounding workers in the aftermath of the radioactive emissions at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, according to Yamamoto. “I wrote the letter out of the desire to tell His Majesty about the real situation,” he said.
山本氏によると、手紙は東京電力福島第一原発事故に関する東日本の子どもたちの健康被害や現場の作業員の労働環境についてだった。「現実を陛下に知っていただきたいとしたためた」という。
But the reasonable way for him to behave as a lawmaker is to take up the issue in a question-and-answer session in the Diet. It is natural that his action has been criticized as intended to “use the Emperor for political purposes.”
しかし、国会議員なら、原発を巡る問題は、国会の質疑の場で取り上げるのが筋だ。山本氏の行為自体、「天皇の政治利用」と非難されて当然である。
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga expressed displeasure, saying, “Common sense informs us whether handing a letter directly [to the Emperor] in such a situation is appropriate.” It is no wonder that lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties uniformly criticized Yamamoto’s action as outrageous for a lawmaker.
菅官房長官が「手紙を渡すことがその場にふさわしいかどうか、常識的な線引きがある」と不快感を示し、与野党から一斉に「国会議員として常軌を逸する行為だ」といった批判が噴出したのも、無理はない。
Yamamoto, a former actor, ran as an independent in the upper house election in July from the Tokyo constituency, calling for “ending nuclear power generation,” and was elected to his first term. He is known as a staunch opponent of restarting the nation’s nuclear reactors. He presumably handed the letter to the Emperor to promote his political stance.
元俳優の山本氏は、今年７月の参院選で「脱原発」を訴えて東京選挙区から無所属で出馬し、初当選した。原発再稼働反対派の急先鋒(せんぽう)として知られる。自らの政治姿勢をアピールするために、手紙を手渡したのではないか。
Passing the buck
He said, “I wasn’t aware my action violated the rules.” He passed the buck to the media, saying: “[My action] has been denounced as one intended for political purposes because the matter was played up by the media. The mass media are the ones that are using [the Emperor] for political purposes.”
山本氏は、「ルールに反しているという意識はなかった」という。「マスコミが騒ぐから政治利用にされてしまう。政治利用しているのはマスコミのほうだ」と報道に責任を転嫁している。
However, only a limited number of people are allowed to attend the Imperial garden party. Yamamoto was able to attend because he was invited as an upper house member. His action was taken up by the media because he petitioned the Emperor in the presence of cameramen and photographers by taking advantage of his status as Diet member.
だが、園遊会に参列できるのは、ごく限られた人だけである。山本氏も参院議員だから招待された。報道カメラの前で、国会議員としての地位を利用して天皇陛下に「請願」したからこそ、騒がれる事態になったのである。
In the first place, what did Yamamoto intend to do by taking up the nuclear issue in a letter to the Emperor?
そもそも、山本氏は、手紙で原発の問題を伝えて、どうするつもりだったのだろう。
Under the Constitution, the Emperor does not have any political function. Even allowing for the principle of sovereignty residing with the people, Yamamoto’s behavior can only be considered outrageous.
憲法上、天皇は政治的な権能を持たない。主権在民の原則をもってしても、奇っ怪極まる行動と言わざるを得ない。
It is appalling that a man who does not know the meaning of his action and cannot imagine its consequences is occupying a Diet seat.
自分のとった行為の意味がわからず、どんな影響を及ぼすかも想像できない人物が、国会議員であることには驚くばかりだ。
After hearing explanations from Yamamoto about his behavior, the upper house Rules and Administration Committee unanimously agreed his action can be construed as unpardonable for a lawmaker and discussions are necessary to prevent a recurrence.
参院議院運営委員会は、山本氏からの事情聴取を踏まえて、国会議員としてのあるまじき行為であり、再発防止について議論が必要だとの認識で一致した。
The committee stopped short of deciding on punishment. But acts such as Yamamoto’s cannot go unpunished.
処分については結論は出なかったが、山本氏のような行為を黙認するわけにはいくまい。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 2, 2013)
（2013年11月2日01時32分 読売新聞）
2013/11/03
米情報機関盗聴 不信持たれぬルールが必要だ
The Yomiuri Shimbun November 2, 2013
U.S. must establish new rules for intelligence gathering
米情報機関盗聴 不信持たれぬルールが必要だ（11月1日付・読売社説）
The reported eavesdropping by the United States on German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s telephone conversations underscores the cold reality that the country’s intelligence gathering activities have even reached as far as the top leader of a friendly country.
米国の情報収集力が、同盟国といえども権力深奥部にまで及ぶ冷徹な現実を示すものだ。
Germany and other European allies of the United States have strongly protested the apparent tracking of Merkel’s mobile phone and other communication tools by the National Security Agency, whose main job is to gather intelligence via wiretapping.
通信傍受による情報収集を主任務とする米国家安全保障局（ＮＳＡ）がメルケル・ドイツ首相の携帯電話などを盗聴していたとして、米国と同盟関係を結んでいるドイツなど欧州各国が猛反発している。
Merkel is believed to have been a target of NSA eavesdropping for more than a decade, since before she assumed the current post. It was no surprise that she expressed strong displeasure toward the United States.
メルケル氏は、首相就任以前から１０年以上、通話を傍受されていたという。米国に強い不快感を表明したのはもっともだ。
Director James Clapper of National Intelligence, which supervises all U.S. intelligence agencies and organizations, testified before Congress that it is part of the intelligence agency’s basic operations to ascertain the intentions of a top leader.
米国の全情報機関を統括するクラッパー国家情報長官は議会で、「国家指導者の意図を探るのは、情報機関の基本」と証言した。
There are reports that the NSA has eavesdropped on as many as 35 world leaders. Actually, the United States effectively admitted to listening in on the communications of other countries’ leaders.
ＮＳＡが世界の指導者３５人を盗聴したとの報道もある。各国首脳に対する通信傍受を事実上認めたといってよい。
If distrust toward the United States grows stronger among its allies, this could have an adverse effect on U.S. diplomacy. The administration of President Barack Obama should do its best to mend relations with Germany and other countries.
通信傍受を巡り、同盟国の間で対米不信が募れば、外交にも悪影響が及ぼう。オバマ政権は、ドイツなどとの関係修復に向けて、最善の努力を尽くすべきだ。
Still, it is unthinkable to expect the United States to scale back its eavesdropping activities. It would also be dangerous to believe this.
もっとも、米国に通信傍受の抑制を期待するのは不可能だろう。また、危険である。
With the spread of Internet and mobile phone services, intelligence gathering via wiretapping has become more important for intelligence organizations. Especially since the Sept. 11, 2011, terrorist attacks on the United States, the NSA has continued to be at the forefront in wiretapping in terms of technology and scale.
インターネットと携帯電話の普及に伴い、情報機関にとって、通信傍受による情報収集の重要性は格段に増した。とりわけ、米同時テロ以降は、傍受の技術力とその規模において、ＮＳＡは最先端であり続けてきた。
U.S. intelligence gathering activities have certainly benefited allies regarding antiterrorist measures, which is why they have offered their cooperation, including data sharing.
米国の情報収集活動が、テロ対策などで、同盟国に利益をもたらしてきたことは否定できまい。だからこそ、同盟国も米国に情報を提供するなど協力している。
Key to national security
Intelligence gathering is vital to ensuring national security.
国家の安全保障上、情報収集は極めて重要だ。
If the United States curbs its eavesdropping activities, this would end up benefiting China and Russia, which have been engaged in their own intelligence gathering. Terrorists fearful of U.S. monitoring would also benefit.
仮に米国が通信傍受を抑制した場合、利益を得るのは、独自の情報戦を展開する中国やロシアだろう。米国の監視の目を恐れるテロリストも利するに違いない。
We believe the United States should review the methods of its intelligence gathering activities both at home and abroad, as well as rules on keeping secrets.
今必要なのは、同盟国の不信を招かぬよう、米国が、国内外での情報収集のあり方や秘密保持のルールを見直すことである。
Washington has announced that it will reexamine the nation’s intelligence gathering activities as a whole by the end of this year. Congress will go along with this move. We will be closely watching whether the review will lead to the establishment of a new intelligence gathering system.
米政府は年末をめどに情報収集活動全般の見直しをすると表明した。議会も同調している。新たな情報収集体制の確立につながるのか、注視したい。
Countries believed to be targets of U.S. eavesdropping will always need to devise anti-espionage measures. There is always the possibility that any country will conduct eavesdropping on leaders of what they perceive as hostile countries. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is no exception, though the government has denied he was a target of such activities.
傍受を受けたとされる側も防諜(ぼうちょう)体制を整える必要があろう。敵対的な国に盗聴を仕掛けられる可能性は常に存在する。日本政府は、安倍首相への盗聴を否定しているが、例外ではない。
We live in a time when communication can be tracked at any time and place. It is essential that diplomacy be conducted based on this premise.
いつでもどこでも通信が傍受される時代になってきた。外交もそれを前提に行うことが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 1, 2013)
（2013年11月1日01時45分 読売新聞）
U.S. must establish new rules for intelligence gathering
米情報機関盗聴 不信持たれぬルールが必要だ（11月1日付・読売社説）
The reported eavesdropping by the United States on German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s telephone conversations underscores the cold reality that the country’s intelligence gathering activities have even reached as far as the top leader of a friendly country.
米国の情報収集力が、同盟国といえども権力深奥部にまで及ぶ冷徹な現実を示すものだ。
Germany and other European allies of the United States have strongly protested the apparent tracking of Merkel’s mobile phone and other communication tools by the National Security Agency, whose main job is to gather intelligence via wiretapping.
通信傍受による情報収集を主任務とする米国家安全保障局（ＮＳＡ）がメルケル・ドイツ首相の携帯電話などを盗聴していたとして、米国と同盟関係を結んでいるドイツなど欧州各国が猛反発している。
Merkel is believed to have been a target of NSA eavesdropping for more than a decade, since before she assumed the current post. It was no surprise that she expressed strong displeasure toward the United States.
メルケル氏は、首相就任以前から１０年以上、通話を傍受されていたという。米国に強い不快感を表明したのはもっともだ。
Director James Clapper of National Intelligence, which supervises all U.S. intelligence agencies and organizations, testified before Congress that it is part of the intelligence agency’s basic operations to ascertain the intentions of a top leader.
米国の全情報機関を統括するクラッパー国家情報長官は議会で、「国家指導者の意図を探るのは、情報機関の基本」と証言した。
There are reports that the NSA has eavesdropped on as many as 35 world leaders. Actually, the United States effectively admitted to listening in on the communications of other countries’ leaders.
ＮＳＡが世界の指導者３５人を盗聴したとの報道もある。各国首脳に対する通信傍受を事実上認めたといってよい。
If distrust toward the United States grows stronger among its allies, this could have an adverse effect on U.S. diplomacy. The administration of President Barack Obama should do its best to mend relations with Germany and other countries.
通信傍受を巡り、同盟国の間で対米不信が募れば、外交にも悪影響が及ぼう。オバマ政権は、ドイツなどとの関係修復に向けて、最善の努力を尽くすべきだ。
Still, it is unthinkable to expect the United States to scale back its eavesdropping activities. It would also be dangerous to believe this.
もっとも、米国に通信傍受の抑制を期待するのは不可能だろう。また、危険である。
With the spread of Internet and mobile phone services, intelligence gathering via wiretapping has become more important for intelligence organizations. Especially since the Sept. 11, 2011, terrorist attacks on the United States, the NSA has continued to be at the forefront in wiretapping in terms of technology and scale.
インターネットと携帯電話の普及に伴い、情報機関にとって、通信傍受による情報収集の重要性は格段に増した。とりわけ、米同時テロ以降は、傍受の技術力とその規模において、ＮＳＡは最先端であり続けてきた。
U.S. intelligence gathering activities have certainly benefited allies regarding antiterrorist measures, which is why they have offered their cooperation, including data sharing.
米国の情報収集活動が、テロ対策などで、同盟国に利益をもたらしてきたことは否定できまい。だからこそ、同盟国も米国に情報を提供するなど協力している。
Key to national security
Intelligence gathering is vital to ensuring national security.
国家の安全保障上、情報収集は極めて重要だ。
If the United States curbs its eavesdropping activities, this would end up benefiting China and Russia, which have been engaged in their own intelligence gathering. Terrorists fearful of U.S. monitoring would also benefit.
仮に米国が通信傍受を抑制した場合、利益を得るのは、独自の情報戦を展開する中国やロシアだろう。米国の監視の目を恐れるテロリストも利するに違いない。
We believe the United States should review the methods of its intelligence gathering activities both at home and abroad, as well as rules on keeping secrets.
今必要なのは、同盟国の不信を招かぬよう、米国が、国内外での情報収集のあり方や秘密保持のルールを見直すことである。
Washington has announced that it will reexamine the nation’s intelligence gathering activities as a whole by the end of this year. Congress will go along with this move. We will be closely watching whether the review will lead to the establishment of a new intelligence gathering system.
米政府は年末をめどに情報収集活動全般の見直しをすると表明した。議会も同調している。新たな情報収集体制の確立につながるのか、注視したい。
Countries believed to be targets of U.S. eavesdropping will always need to devise anti-espionage measures. There is always the possibility that any country will conduct eavesdropping on leaders of what they perceive as hostile countries. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is no exception, though the government has denied he was a target of such activities.
傍受を受けたとされる側も防諜(ぼうちょう)体制を整える必要があろう。敵対的な国に盗聴を仕掛けられる可能性は常に存在する。日本政府は、安倍首相への盗聴を否定しているが、例外ではない。
We live in a time when communication can be tracked at any time and place. It is essential that diplomacy be conducted based on this premise.
いつでもどこでも通信が傍受される時代になってきた。外交もそれを前提に行うことが肝要だ。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 1, 2013)
（2013年11月1日01時45分 読売新聞）
2013/11/02
天安門突入事件 中国社会の不安定さが見える
The Yomiuri Shimbun November 1, 2013
Instability of Chinese society made visible with the latest incident
天安門突入事件 中国社会の不安定さが見える（10月31日付・読売社説）
The recent fatal car crash in Tiananmen Square in central Beijing is believed to have been a suicide terrorist attack by an ethnic minority group. They may have been expressing opposition to the Chinese Communist Party’s rule.
少数民族による自爆テロと見られる。中国共産党支配に反抗する意思を示したのではないか。
Five people, including three in the vehicle, died, while about 40 others, including one Japanese, were injured. Local authorities said they found gasoline containers, which the car’s occupants set ablaze, inside the vehicle.
北京中心部の天安門前に車が突っ込んで炎上した。車に乗っていた３人を含む５人が死亡し、日本人ら約４０人が負傷した。車内からはガソリンなどが発見されたという。
The square, featuring a huge portrait of Mao Zedong, former chairman of the Communist Party of China, is located near the Zhongnanhai district, where the party headquarters is located, and is symbolic of one-party rule. A number of antigovernment activities, including the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, took place in nearby areas.
巨大な毛沢東の肖像画が掲げられた天安門は、党指導部の所在地・中南海にも近く、一党独裁の象徴的存在だ。周辺では、１９８９年の天安門事件はじめ、数々の反政府行動が発生している。
Local authorities have announced they are treating the incident as a terrorist act and that they have arrested five suspects. The five arrested and the three who died in the car are believed to be Uighur.
当局は、事件をテロと見て、容疑者グループ５人を拘束したと発表した。この５人も車内の３人もいずれもウイグル族と見られる。
The Uighurs are a Turkish minority group of Muslims who mainly live in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
ウイグル族は、新疆ウイグル自治区を主な居住地とするイスラム教徒のトルコ系少数民族だ。
In Uighur, local police have repeatedly attacked “armed mobs” of Uighurs in the name of antiterrorism campaigns. After President Xi Jinping’s administration was launched, there was an incident in which more than 10 people died. The latest incident may have something to do with rising tensions in Xinjiang.
新疆では、警察が反テロ作戦と称し、ウイグル族「武装集団」への攻撃を繰り返している。習近平政権になってからは、１０人以上の死者が出る場合もあったという。今回の事件も、新疆の緊張の高まりと関係があるのではないか。
Separatist sentiment rising
The Uighurs have been effectively placed under the control of the Chinese Communist Party politically, and under the control of the Han people, the majority group in China, economically. Autonomy and freedom of religion exist in name only for the Uighurs. The average income of Uighurs remains low, with people having limited means of support.
ウイグル族は、事実上、政治的には共産党、経済的には多数派の漢族の支配下に置かれている。「自治」や「宗教の自由」は名ばかりの状態だ。平均的な所得水準は低く、生活は豊かでない。
Among the Uighur people, antagonism toward the party and the Han has been increasing, and a movement toward Xinjiang independence, which has long been smoldering, is now active.
ウイグル族住民の間では、党と漢族への反感が広がっており、くすぶり続けてきた新疆独立を目指す動きも活発だ。
The recent developments appear to suggest that control over the Uighurs has become ever more difficult under the party’s ethnic minority policy, which comprise two pillars of control by force and through fiscal actions such as infrastructure development.
力による支配とインフラ整備などへの財政出動を二本柱とする党の少数民族政策では、統治が以前より困難になってきていることを示すものと言えよう。
Following the latest incident, the communist government has placed strict controls on news reports and deleted related information on the Internet. News aired by NHK satellite broadcasting has been blocked. This is probably because they are worried that such news coverage would trigger other antigovernment action.
今回の事件で、共産党政権は報道を厳しく規制し、インターネット上の書き込みも削除した。ＮＨＫ衛星放送のニュースは遮断された。新たな反政府行動の誘発を恐れているからだろう。
In the Tibet Autonomous Region, adjacent to Xinjiang, the ethnic minority opposes the control of the party and the Han people the same way as in Xinjiang. More than 100 Tibetan monks and others in the region have set themselves on fire in protest, or attempted to do so.
隣接するチベット自治区でも、少数民族が党と漢族に反発する構図は同じだ。既に１００人を超すチベット族の仏教僧らが焼身自殺を図っている。
Aside from ethnic minorities, people’s frustration and anger over Chinese society is spreading even among the Han people, who account for more than 90 percent of the population. Chinese society is becoming ever more unstable, with as many as 180,000 mass protests, including demonstrations and riots, believed to occur each year.
少数民族に限らず、人口の９割以上を占める漢族の間でも、格差社会への憤りが充満している。デモや暴動などの集団抗議行動が年間１８万件程度発生していると言われるほど、中国社会の不安定化は進行している。
The general assembly of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, which decides key party policies, will convene Nov. 9. We have to pay close attention to the meeting to see what policies to address social stability President Xi comes up with, on the basis of the latest incident.
党の重要政策を決める中央委員会総会が１１月９日から始まる。習総書記が事件を踏まえ、社会安定に向けたいかなる政策を打ち出すか、注視しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 31, 2013)
（2013年10月31日01時31分 読売新聞）
Instability of Chinese society made visible with the latest incident
天安門突入事件 中国社会の不安定さが見える（10月31日付・読売社説）
The recent fatal car crash in Tiananmen Square in central Beijing is believed to have been a suicide terrorist attack by an ethnic minority group. They may have been expressing opposition to the Chinese Communist Party’s rule.
少数民族による自爆テロと見られる。中国共産党支配に反抗する意思を示したのではないか。
Five people, including three in the vehicle, died, while about 40 others, including one Japanese, were injured. Local authorities said they found gasoline containers, which the car’s occupants set ablaze, inside the vehicle.
北京中心部の天安門前に車が突っ込んで炎上した。車に乗っていた３人を含む５人が死亡し、日本人ら約４０人が負傷した。車内からはガソリンなどが発見されたという。
The square, featuring a huge portrait of Mao Zedong, former chairman of the Communist Party of China, is located near the Zhongnanhai district, where the party headquarters is located, and is symbolic of one-party rule. A number of antigovernment activities, including the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident, took place in nearby areas.
巨大な毛沢東の肖像画が掲げられた天安門は、党指導部の所在地・中南海にも近く、一党独裁の象徴的存在だ。周辺では、１９８９年の天安門事件はじめ、数々の反政府行動が発生している。
Local authorities have announced they are treating the incident as a terrorist act and that they have arrested five suspects. The five arrested and the three who died in the car are believed to be Uighur.
当局は、事件をテロと見て、容疑者グループ５人を拘束したと発表した。この５人も車内の３人もいずれもウイグル族と見られる。
The Uighurs are a Turkish minority group of Muslims who mainly live in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
ウイグル族は、新疆ウイグル自治区を主な居住地とするイスラム教徒のトルコ系少数民族だ。
In Uighur, local police have repeatedly attacked “armed mobs” of Uighurs in the name of antiterrorism campaigns. After President Xi Jinping’s administration was launched, there was an incident in which more than 10 people died. The latest incident may have something to do with rising tensions in Xinjiang.
新疆では、警察が反テロ作戦と称し、ウイグル族「武装集団」への攻撃を繰り返している。習近平政権になってからは、１０人以上の死者が出る場合もあったという。今回の事件も、新疆の緊張の高まりと関係があるのではないか。
Separatist sentiment rising
The Uighurs have been effectively placed under the control of the Chinese Communist Party politically, and under the control of the Han people, the majority group in China, economically. Autonomy and freedom of religion exist in name only for the Uighurs. The average income of Uighurs remains low, with people having limited means of support.
ウイグル族は、事実上、政治的には共産党、経済的には多数派の漢族の支配下に置かれている。「自治」や「宗教の自由」は名ばかりの状態だ。平均的な所得水準は低く、生活は豊かでない。
Among the Uighur people, antagonism toward the party and the Han has been increasing, and a movement toward Xinjiang independence, which has long been smoldering, is now active.
ウイグル族住民の間では、党と漢族への反感が広がっており、くすぶり続けてきた新疆独立を目指す動きも活発だ。
The recent developments appear to suggest that control over the Uighurs has become ever more difficult under the party’s ethnic minority policy, which comprise two pillars of control by force and through fiscal actions such as infrastructure development.
力による支配とインフラ整備などへの財政出動を二本柱とする党の少数民族政策では、統治が以前より困難になってきていることを示すものと言えよう。
Following the latest incident, the communist government has placed strict controls on news reports and deleted related information on the Internet. News aired by NHK satellite broadcasting has been blocked. This is probably because they are worried that such news coverage would trigger other antigovernment action.
今回の事件で、共産党政権は報道を厳しく規制し、インターネット上の書き込みも削除した。ＮＨＫ衛星放送のニュースは遮断された。新たな反政府行動の誘発を恐れているからだろう。
In the Tibet Autonomous Region, adjacent to Xinjiang, the ethnic minority opposes the control of the party and the Han people the same way as in Xinjiang. More than 100 Tibetan monks and others in the region have set themselves on fire in protest, or attempted to do so.
隣接するチベット自治区でも、少数民族が党と漢族に反発する構図は同じだ。既に１００人を超すチベット族の仏教僧らが焼身自殺を図っている。
Aside from ethnic minorities, people’s frustration and anger over Chinese society is spreading even among the Han people, who account for more than 90 percent of the population. Chinese society is becoming ever more unstable, with as many as 180,000 mass protests, including demonstrations and riots, believed to occur each year.
少数民族に限らず、人口の９割以上を占める漢族の間でも、格差社会への憤りが充満している。デモや暴動などの集団抗議行動が年間１８万件程度発生していると言われるほど、中国社会の不安定化は進行している。
The general assembly of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, which decides key party policies, will convene Nov. 9. We have to pay close attention to the meeting to see what policies to address social stability President Xi comes up with, on the basis of the latest incident.
党の重要政策を決める中央委員会総会が１１月９日から始まる。習総書記が事件を踏まえ、社会安定に向けたいかなる政策を打ち出すか、注視しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 31, 2013)
（2013年10月31日01時31分 読売新聞）
2013/11/01
減反見直し 政治主導で競争力強化を図れ
The Yomiuri Shimbun October 31, 2013
Politicians must take initiatives to boost competitiveness of Japan’s agriculture
減反見直し 政治主導で競争力強化を図れ（10月30日付・読売社説）
Strengthening the competitiveness of Japan’s agricultural sector is an urgent task in preparation for trade liberalization. A shift is necessary in this nation’s agricultural policy to place importance on core farmers.
貿易自由化に備え、農業の競争力強化が急務である。中核農家を重視した農業政策への転換が求められよう。
The government and ruling parties have started reviewing the rice production adjustment system, or rice acreage reduction, with an eye toward possibly abolishing it. Under the system, the government sets yield targets and allocates them to farmers.
政府・与党は、コメの生産目標を国が定め、農家に割り当てる生産調整（減反）制度の段階的な見直しに着手した。廃止も視野に検討する。
The rice acreage reduction policy is aimed at ensuring stable incomes for farmers by curbing rice production to prevent rice prices from falling due to oversupply. The policy was fully introduced in the 1970s to address surplus rice production.
減反は、コメの生産量を抑えることで価格の低下を防ぎ、農家の収入を安定させる狙いがある。コメ余りを背景に、１９７０年代に本格的に導入された。
However, high rice prices triggered a vicious circle, accelerating a shift away from rice consumption, thereby causing farmland to shrink. The government maintained its agricultural policy, which generously protected even small-scale farmers. This discouraged core farmers to produce the grain, reducing the vitality of Japan’s agriculture.
だが、割高なコメ価格がコメ離れを加速し、農地が縮小するという悪循環を招いた。零細農家も手厚く保護される農政を続け、中核農家の生産意欲を減退させ、農業の活力を奪ってきたと言える。
If the rice acreage reduction policy is reviewed, motivated farmers will decide on production volume on their own, by carefully assessing such factors as market trends and consumer preference, without being hampered by state-set targets. An improvement in productivity can also be expected.
減反が見直されると、意欲的な農家は国の目標に縛られず、市場動向や消費者の好みを見極め、生産量を独自に決める。生産性の向上も期待できよう。
Negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral trade framework are fully under way. If Japan is pressured to further liberalize its markets, competition against imported agricultural products will intensify. We believe it is appropriate to encourage farmers to make efforts to improve their business management through the opening up of large-scale farming via the rice acreage reduction policy review.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉が本格化している。日本が一層の市場開放を迫られれば輸入農産物との競争は激化する。減反見直しで大規模化に道を開き、農家の経営努力を促すのは適切だ。
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided to review the policy apparently because the next national election is not expected for up to nearly three years. In 2009, then Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shigeru Ishiba also supported reforming the policy of cutting back rice paddies, but was unable to realize it due to opposition from agricultural organizations and some Liberal Democratic Party members.
安倍政権が見直しに踏み込むのは、国政選挙まで最大３年近く時間があるからだろう。２００９年にも、当時の石破農相が減反改革を唱えたが、農業団体や自民党内の反発で実現しなかった。
Alleviate concerns
Some observers strongly believe that if the acreage reduction policy is abolished, rice prices will fall sharply due to increased production. Opposition against the policy review is smoldering, with some saying it will result in a decrease in the income of farmers and in fact diminish the competitiveness of this nation’s agriculture.
減反を廃止すれば、生産量が増えて米価が急落するとの見方は根強い。「収益が下がり、かえって農業の競争力が低下する」といった反対論がくすぶっている。
To alleviate these concerns and keep the negative effects of the policy change to a minimum, it would be beneficial to take measures to mitigate the impact, including introducing a transition period and phasing out subsidies to farmers who participate in the rice acreage reduction program.
こうした不安を和らげ、打撃を最小限に抑えるには、一定の移行期間を設け、減反に協力する農家への補助金を段階的に減らす激変緩和策が有益だろう。
Also, the income guarantee system for individual farmers that was introduced when the Democratic Party of Japan was in power should be reviewed immediately. The system provides subsidies to farmers who reduce the size of their rice paddies. If this system is maintained, small-scale farmers will refuse to give up their farmland in order to receive the subsidy, which goes against the policy of promoting large-scale farming.
直ちに見直すべきなのは、民主党政権が導入した戸別所得補償制度である。減反農家へ一律に補助金を支給するもので、これを継続すると、零細農家が補助金を目当てに農地を手放さず、大規模化を目指す政策と矛盾するからだ。
The government should stop providing such subsidies and instead introduce a system to provide robust support for core farmers with high productivity.
一律支給をやめ、生産性の高い中核農家を重点的に支援する仕組みに改めてもらいたい。
The LDP is also discussing a new system to support farming villages in mountainous areas, among other places, in the name of preserving national land. Although regional development and environmental conservation are important, some ingenuity is necessary in designing the system that does not become a simple handout policy.
自民党は、「国土保全」を名目に山間地などの農村を支援する新制度も検討中だ。地域振興や環境保全は大切だが、バラマキとならぬよう制度設計に工夫が要る。
The Abe administration has identified agriculture as a new growth industry. In addition to reviewing the rice acreage reduction policy, the government also must speed up measures to reinvigorate Japan’s agriculture through political leadership, including deregulation aimed at encouraging companies to enter the agricultural sector.
安倍政権は農業を新たな成長産業と位置付けている。減反見直しに加え、企業参入を促す規制緩和など、政治主導で農業の活性化策を加速しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 30, 2013)
（2013年10月30日01時25分 読売新聞）
Politicians must take initiatives to boost competitiveness of Japan’s agriculture
減反見直し 政治主導で競争力強化を図れ（10月30日付・読売社説）
Strengthening the competitiveness of Japan’s agricultural sector is an urgent task in preparation for trade liberalization. A shift is necessary in this nation’s agricultural policy to place importance on core farmers.
貿易自由化に備え、農業の競争力強化が急務である。中核農家を重視した農業政策への転換が求められよう。
The government and ruling parties have started reviewing the rice production adjustment system, or rice acreage reduction, with an eye toward possibly abolishing it. Under the system, the government sets yield targets and allocates them to farmers.
政府・与党は、コメの生産目標を国が定め、農家に割り当てる生産調整（減反）制度の段階的な見直しに着手した。廃止も視野に検討する。
The rice acreage reduction policy is aimed at ensuring stable incomes for farmers by curbing rice production to prevent rice prices from falling due to oversupply. The policy was fully introduced in the 1970s to address surplus rice production.
減反は、コメの生産量を抑えることで価格の低下を防ぎ、農家の収入を安定させる狙いがある。コメ余りを背景に、１９７０年代に本格的に導入された。
However, high rice prices triggered a vicious circle, accelerating a shift away from rice consumption, thereby causing farmland to shrink. The government maintained its agricultural policy, which generously protected even small-scale farmers. This discouraged core farmers to produce the grain, reducing the vitality of Japan’s agriculture.
だが、割高なコメ価格がコメ離れを加速し、農地が縮小するという悪循環を招いた。零細農家も手厚く保護される農政を続け、中核農家の生産意欲を減退させ、農業の活力を奪ってきたと言える。
If the rice acreage reduction policy is reviewed, motivated farmers will decide on production volume on their own, by carefully assessing such factors as market trends and consumer preference, without being hampered by state-set targets. An improvement in productivity can also be expected.
減反が見直されると、意欲的な農家は国の目標に縛られず、市場動向や消費者の好みを見極め、生産量を独自に決める。生産性の向上も期待できよう。
Negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral trade framework are fully under way. If Japan is pressured to further liberalize its markets, competition against imported agricultural products will intensify. We believe it is appropriate to encourage farmers to make efforts to improve their business management through the opening up of large-scale farming via the rice acreage reduction policy review.
環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉が本格化している。日本が一層の市場開放を迫られれば輸入農産物との競争は激化する。減反見直しで大規模化に道を開き、農家の経営努力を促すのは適切だ。
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided to review the policy apparently because the next national election is not expected for up to nearly three years. In 2009, then Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Shigeru Ishiba also supported reforming the policy of cutting back rice paddies, but was unable to realize it due to opposition from agricultural organizations and some Liberal Democratic Party members.
安倍政権が見直しに踏み込むのは、国政選挙まで最大３年近く時間があるからだろう。２００９年にも、当時の石破農相が減反改革を唱えたが、農業団体や自民党内の反発で実現しなかった。
Alleviate concerns
Some observers strongly believe that if the acreage reduction policy is abolished, rice prices will fall sharply due to increased production. Opposition against the policy review is smoldering, with some saying it will result in a decrease in the income of farmers and in fact diminish the competitiveness of this nation’s agriculture.
減反を廃止すれば、生産量が増えて米価が急落するとの見方は根強い。「収益が下がり、かえって農業の競争力が低下する」といった反対論がくすぶっている。
To alleviate these concerns and keep the negative effects of the policy change to a minimum, it would be beneficial to take measures to mitigate the impact, including introducing a transition period and phasing out subsidies to farmers who participate in the rice acreage reduction program.
こうした不安を和らげ、打撃を最小限に抑えるには、一定の移行期間を設け、減反に協力する農家への補助金を段階的に減らす激変緩和策が有益だろう。
Also, the income guarantee system for individual farmers that was introduced when the Democratic Party of Japan was in power should be reviewed immediately. The system provides subsidies to farmers who reduce the size of their rice paddies. If this system is maintained, small-scale farmers will refuse to give up their farmland in order to receive the subsidy, which goes against the policy of promoting large-scale farming.
直ちに見直すべきなのは、民主党政権が導入した戸別所得補償制度である。減反農家へ一律に補助金を支給するもので、これを継続すると、零細農家が補助金を目当てに農地を手放さず、大規模化を目指す政策と矛盾するからだ。
The government should stop providing such subsidies and instead introduce a system to provide robust support for core farmers with high productivity.
一律支給をやめ、生産性の高い中核農家を重点的に支援する仕組みに改めてもらいたい。
The LDP is also discussing a new system to support farming villages in mountainous areas, among other places, in the name of preserving national land. Although regional development and environmental conservation are important, some ingenuity is necessary in designing the system that does not become a simple handout policy.
自民党は、「国土保全」を名目に山間地などの農村を支援する新制度も検討中だ。地域振興や環境保全は大切だが、バラマキとならぬよう制度設計に工夫が要る。
The Abe administration has identified agriculture as a new growth industry. In addition to reviewing the rice acreage reduction policy, the government also must speed up measures to reinvigorate Japan’s agriculture through political leadership, including deregulation aimed at encouraging companies to enter the agricultural sector.
安倍政権は農業を新たな成長産業と位置付けている。減反見直しに加え、企業参入を促す規制緩和など、政治主導で農業の活性化策を加速しなければならない。
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 30, 2013)
（2013年10月30日01時25分 読売新聞）
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