武器共同開発 日英の安保協力も拡充せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Apr. 12, 2012)
Japanese-British security ties must be strengthened
武器共同開発　日英の安保協力も拡充せよ（4月11日付・読売社説）

Steadily strengthening security cooperation with Britain and other friendly nations is important, even while maintaining the Japan-U.S. alliance as the main pillar of defense policy.
　日米同盟を基軸にしつつ、英国など友好国との安保協力を着実に拡充することが肝要だ。

In a meeting in Tokyo, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron agreed the two countries should jointly develop and produce defense equipment.
　野田首相はキャメロン英首相と東京で会談し、日英両国が防衛装備品を共同開発・生産することで合意した。

This will be the first time for Japan to jointly develop defense equipment with a country other than the United States, this country's main ally.
　日本が同盟国の米国以外の国と共同開発を行うのは初めてだ。

They also agreed the two countries would compile intergovernmental rules to control the transfer of such equipment to third countries as well as identify a range of defense equipment for joint development and "seek to launch at least one program of such defense equipment as soon as possible."
　今後、装備品の第三国移転などを制限する政府間取り決めを策定するとともに、共同開発案件を選定し、「可能な限り早期に開始する」ことでも一致した。

The joint development of defense equipment with Britain was made possible after Japan relaxed its so-called three arms export principles in December. The swift bilateral agreement so soon after the relaxation of the de facto ban on arms exports is a welcome development.
　日英の共同開発は、昨年１２月に日本の武器輸出３原則が緩和されたことで可能になった。緩和決定後、早期に２国間の合意ができたことを歓迎したい。

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Various advantages

International joint development of weapons produces a number of advantages. Such a program enhances an alliance and friendly relations between participating nations. In addition, they can share and reduce development risks as well as the cost of developing expensive equipment. It also will be possible for them to acquire and share state-of-art technologies.
　武器の国際共同開発は、多くの利点を持つ。参加国の同盟・友好関係を強化するほか、高額な装備品の開発リスクと費用を分担し、軽減できる。先端技術の取得・共有も可能にする。

Britain possesses advanced defense technologies. For instance, it participated in the joint development program of the Eurofighter Typhoon, which was a strong candidate for Japan's next-generation fighter. British firms also are providing the Self-Defense Forces with minesweeping and transport helicopters, battleships and helicopter engines.
　英国は、航空自衛隊の次期戦闘機（ＦＸ）の有力候補だったユーロファイターの共同開発に参加するなど、防衛技術の先進国の一つだ。自衛隊にも、掃海・輸送ヘリコプターや、艦船、ヘリコプターのエンジンを納入している。

Small equipment, such as chemical protective suits, is considered a strong candidate at the initial stage of the joint development between Japan and Britain. The British side suggested a helicopter as a candidate. We hope the two countries will study and select a program advantageous to both countries.
　共同開発の対象としては、当面、化学防護服などの小型案件が有力とされる。英国側は、ヘリコプターも候補に挙げている。日英双方にプラスとなる案件を検討、選定してもらいたい。

The SDF and the U.S. armed forces have closely cooperated during peacetime and in emergencies. Using same equipment, such as jet fighters, is favorable in terms of interoperability.
　自衛隊と米軍は、平時も有事も緊密に連携している。戦闘機など同じ装備品を使用することは相互運用性の面でも好ましい。

It is natural for Japan's joint development programs to have been mainly with the United States, but promoting defense cooperation with Britain through the joint development program will help enhance Japan's security arrangements.
　日米の共同開発が中心になるのは当然だが、新たな共同開発を通じて英国との防衛協力を推進することは、日本の安全保障の体制強化にも役立つだろう。

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More cooperation possible

France, Italy and Australia also are interested in joint development programs with Japan. It would be beneficial for Japan to seek a wider range of cooperation.
　英国以外にも、フランス、イタリア、豪州などが日本との共同開発に関心を示している。幅広く協力の可能性を探ってはどうか。

We regret that Japan's defense industry has been in a tailspin for a long time as the country's defense budgets have been cut back for 10 consecutive years.
　防衛予算が１０年連続で減少する中、残念ながら、日本の防衛産業は長期低落傾向にある。

To the Defense Ministry's knowledge, 35 tank-related companies, 26 vessel-related companies and 21 fighter-related firms have either withdrawn from the defense industry or gone bankrupt since 2003.
　防衛省が把握している分だけで、２００３年以降、戦車関連で３５社、艦船関連で２６社、戦闘機関連で２１社が防衛分野から撤退、または倒産したという。

The weakening of defense technology and production bases could have an adverse effect on Japan's safety in the medium and long term.
　防衛技術・生産基盤が弱体化することは、中長期的に日本の安全を揺るがしかねない。

Using advanced technologies, defense equipment comes with greatly enhanced performances and higher prices.
From the viewpoint of maintaining the defense industry, the government should not rely too much on importing defense equipment. It should strategically promote joint development and production.
　防衛産業を維持する観点から、高性能化・高価格化が進む先端技術の装備品は、可能な限り輸入に頼らず、共同開発・生産を戦略的に推進する必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 11, 2012)
（2012年4月11日01時22分  読売新聞）