（社説）インドネシア 民主主義の深化を

EDITORIAL: Indonesia's new president should push reforms to uphold democracy
（社説）インドネシア　民主主義の深化を
July 24, 2014

Voters in Indonesia have elected Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo as their new president. Joko will be a president who

is neither a former top military officer nor a man with a political pedigree.
　インドネシアの人々は次の大統領にジャカルタ特別州知事のジョコ・ウィドド氏を選んだ。軍出身や政治家一族ではない庶民派大統

領である。

Sixteen years have passed since the military dictatorship of strongman Suharto was toppled. We strongly hope that

Joko will push the nation further toward democracy and ensure that people will enjoy the benefits of change in all

parts of this southern fast-growing nation.
　スハルト独裁政権が倒れてから１６年になる。ジョコ氏が民主化をさらに進め、成長が続く南の大国の隅々にまで、その成果を届ける

ことを期待する。

Outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono restored law and order during his 10-year tenure by taking effective

steps to eradicate terrorism. He managed to reach a historic peace agreement in 2005 with separatists in the restive

province of Aceh, bringing an end to a bloody, 30-year conflict.
　現職のユドヨノ大統領は１０年の任期中に、テロの根を断って治安回復に努め、アチェの独立紛争を平和的に収めた。

Yudhoyono also made serious efforts to crack down on endemic corruption. But he failed to prevent the widening of

the gap between rich and poor, even though the nation’s economy regained stability and growth momentum.
汚職の摘発にも力を入れた。ただ経済は安定を取り戻したものの、貧富の格差は大きくなった。

Joko was born to a poor family, but carved out an impressive career in politics. He first became mayor of Surakarta, a

city in central Java, and then successfully ran for the governor of Jakarta.
　その国を引き継ぐジョコ氏は貧しい家庭に生まれ、中部ジャワの市長からジャカルタ特別州知事になった。

While serving as the governor of the capital, Joko adopted policies to improve the well-being of the weak, especially in

the areas of education and health care, and also worked hard to promote competition and transparency in

administration.
　教育や医療分野で弱者に優しい政策をとり、行政に競争や透明性をもたらそうと努めた。

He gained popularity by frequently going to towns to talk to people and quickly emerged as a major candidate for the

presidency.
腰軽く現場に出かけて住民と話す姿勢が人気を集め、大統領候補に駆け上がった。

Indonesia became infested with corruption, collusion and nepotism under the Suharto regime. Every sector of

Indonesian society is still plagued by these evils.
　スハルト政権は、この国に長く腐敗、癒着、縁故主義をはびこらせ、その体質はいまも社会のいたるところに巣くう。

Joko’s main rival, Prabowo Subianto, who supported Suharto's dictatorial rule as an army general, surged after

campaigning began in early June, turning the election into a neck-and-neck race. His strong showing indicates that

many Indonesians are longing for a powerful leader.
　大統領選で猛追したプラボウォ氏は、国軍の幹部としてスハルト元大統領を支えた人物である。国民の中には強い指導者を好む気

持ちも残る。

But the election results mean that the president-elect, a non-elite politician with no inclination toward

authoritarianism, has won a public mandate to push through reforms to break down the vested interests.
　だが選挙結果が示すのは、権威主義とは無縁の非エリートの新大統領に、既得権益を崩す改革が託されたということだ。

Still, there are many reasons to be concerned about Joko’s leadership. He has no experience in national politics and

his Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and other parties that supported him have less than 40 percent of the

seats in the nation’s parliament.
　ただ、ジョコ氏には不安材料も多い。国政の経験はなく、大統領選で支持した政党が国会に占める議席は４割以下だ。

Joko’s failure to gain a good lead on his contender in the election may deny him a strong political standing. His

diplomatic prowess is also an unknown factor.
　選挙で大きな差をつけられなかったことは、ジョコ氏の政治的立場を弱いものにするかもしれない。外交手腕もまったく未知数だ。

Indonesia has a population of 250 million people, the fourth largest in the world. With half of them below the age of

30, the country’s working population is expected to keep growing until around 2030.
　インドネシアは、世界４位の２億５千万人の人口をもつ。その半数は３０歳以下で、２０３０年ごろまで生産年齢人口が増え続けると

みられている。

Indonesia is an important recipient of Japanese aid and investment and a key growing market for Japanese

companies.
　日本にとっては援助と投資の重要な対象であり、成長する市場でもある。

The members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are seeking to form an economic and political union next

year.
　東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）は来年の共同体設立を目指している。

As political turmoil in Thailand continues, Indonesia’s leadership within the bloc will face a crucial test in ASEAN’s

quest to form the union.
タイの政治混乱が続くなかで、盟主を自任するインドネシアの指導力がより問われる。

Indonesia puts top priorities on ensuring unity among ASEAN members and maintaining a balance of power within

Asia. The country does not want to be dragged into the conflict between Japan and China.
　インドネシアはＡＳＥＡＮの一体性とアジア地域のバランスをもっとも重視する。日本と中国との対立に巻き込まれるようなことは好まない

。

Japan should be well aware of Indonesia’s position while providing as much support as possible for the Joko

administration’s efforts to push the country up the ladder of democracy and reform.
　日本はそうした立場を理解したうえで、ジョコ新政権が民主化と改革への新たな階段を上っていくのを助けるべきだ。

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 24