自衛隊海外派遣 恒久法制定は有力な選択肢だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Govt, ruling parties should consider permanent law on dispatch of SDF
自衛隊海外派遣　恒久法制定は有力な選択肢だ

Is it time to stop resorting to the enactment of special measures laws to allow the Self-Defense Forces to be dispatched after a serious situation has erupted overseas?
　外国で重大事態が発生した後、特別措置法を制定して自衛隊を派遣する手法には、終止符を打つ時ではないか。

A proposal is being floated within the government and the ruling parties to enact a permanent law regarding the overseas dispatch of the SDF.
　政府・与党内で自衛隊海外派遣に関する恒久法を制定する案が浮上している。

The move is meant to address the need to enact relevant legislation to deal with the expansion of the SDF’s logistical support for U.S. and other forces, which became possible with the Cabinet approval in July of the government’s new constitutional interpretation that allows limited exercise of right of collective self-defense.
　集団的自衛権の行使を限定容認する新たな政府見解が７月に決定された結果、自衛隊の後方支援活動の拡大などが可能になり、関連法整備が必要になったためだ。

During intensive interpellation in the House of Councillors, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hinted at his positive stance on permanent legislation, saying the government would consider “whether to have a permanent law or special measures laws” regarding the SDF’s international peace cooperation activities.
　安倍首相も参院の集中審議で、自衛隊の国際平和協力活動の関連法整備について「一般法（恒久法）か特別措置法かといった形態を含めて検討する」と述べ、恒久法制定に前向きな考えを示した。

Two special measures laws have been enacted in the past in connection with the overseas dispatch of the SDF.
　自衛隊の海外派遣の特措法は、過去に２本ある。

One was the counterterrorism special measures law enacted after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, which allowed the SDF to take on refueling missions in the Indian Ocean.
２００１年の米同時テロ後、インド洋での給油活動の根拠となったテロ対策特措法と、

The other was the 2003 special measures law on assisting with the reconstruction of Iraq, which made it possible for the SDF to engage in air transportation missions and such humanitarian activities as supplying water.
イラクでの給水など人道支援活動や空輸活動を可能にした０３年のイラク復興支援特措法だ。

Both laws were enforced over fixed periods and have since expired.
　いずれも時限法で目的が限定されており、今は失効している。

If the Diet enacts comprehensive permanent legislation instead of revising the International Peacekeeping Activities Cooperation Law and other pertinent laws, it will be not necessary to enact special measures laws in response to pressing situations, thereby allowing the swift, flexible dispatch of the SDF abroad.
　今回、国連平和維持活動（ＰＫＯ）協力法など個別法の改正にとどめず、包括的な恒久法を制定すれば、事態に応じて特措法を整備する必要がなくなり、迅速で機動的な自衛隊派遣が可能となる。

The enactment of permanent legislation would be a promising step to help put the Abe administration’s strategy of “proactive contribution to peace” into action.
　安倍政権の「積極的平和主義」を具体化するため、恒久法の制定は有力な選択肢となろう。

SDF activities expanded

The government’s new interpretation limits the definition of activities constituting “integration with the use of force”—banned under the Constitution—to SDF logistical and other activities at locations where battles are actually taking place.
　新見解は、憲法が禁じる「武力行使との一体化」の対象を、戦闘現場での自衛隊の後方支援などに限定した。

This has made it possible for SDF personnel to rescue foreign troops that are under attack, if the foreign country agrees.
受け入れ国の同意があれば、他国軍などに対する「駆けつけ警護」も可能にした。

Both measures are significant in expanding and improving the SDF’s international peacekeeping activities, as well as enhancing their effectiveness.
　いずれも、自衛隊の国際平和協力活動を拡充し、その実効性を高める上で重要な意義を持つ。

Thus far, the SDF’s activities have been limited to noncombat zones, a concept that the world will not accept.
　従来、自衛隊の活動は、国際的に通用しない概念である「非戦闘地域」に限定されていた。

Until now, even if a foreign military asked for SDF rescue operations, Japan had no option but to decline or go to the site to assess the situation and resort to the emergency step of using arms for self-defense if SDF personnel were in danger.
　他国軍に救援を要請されても、断るか、様子を見に行き、自分たちが危険になった段階で正当防衛で武器を使用するという非常手段で対応するしかなかった。

After the Self-Defense Forces Law was revised in 2006, international peacekeeping cooperation activities became a primary duty of the SDF.
　０６年の改正自衛隊法で国際平和協力活動が自衛隊の本来任務に格上げされ、

In 2008, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito considered permanent legislation but failed to reach an agreement and gave up on having the Diet enact such a law.
０８年には自民、公明両党が恒久法を検討したが、合意に至らず、断念した。

The government’s new interpretation is a prime opportunity to enact permanent legislation.
今回の新見解は恒久法制定の格好の機会だ。

Such legislation would help the government put together and present an overall picture of the SDF’s international activities.
　恒久法は、自衛隊の国際活動の全体像を整理し、明示する効果も持つ。

It is necessary to put such activities into two categories—those conducted with and those conducted without a resolution by the U.N. Security Council—and restrict SDF dispatch abroad through such measures as requiring prior Diet approval.
国連安全保障理事会決議がある場合と、ない場合を分けた上で、実際の派遣には国会承認などの歯止めをかける必要がある。

We urge the government and the ruling parties to positively consider permanent legislation.
　政府・与党は、恒久法について前向きに検討してもらいたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 23, 2014)