日米防衛相会談 北の脅威に共同対処を強めよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Bolster Japan-U.S. joint actions to cope with North Korean threats
日米防衛相会談　北の脅威に共同対処を強めよ

It is essential for Tokyo and Washington to establish a closer cooperation system for conducting joint operations flexibly and expeditiously amid the increasingly severe security environment around Japan.
　我が国の安全保障環境が厳しさを増す中、日米両政府がより緊密に連携し、機動的な共同対処を行う体制を構築することが重要である。

Defense Minister Tomomi Inada met with her U.S. counterpart Ashton Carter in Washington to discuss security issues. Regarding North Korea’s repeated nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, Inada and Carter agreed they pose “grave threats to the national security of both Japan and the United States.”
　稲田防衛相が訪米し、カーター米国防長官と会談した。北朝鮮の相次ぐ核実験や弾道ミサイル発射について、「日米両国に対する安全保障上の重大な脅威である」との認識で一致した。

North Korea has been pushing its nuclear weapons program with the aim of completing and deploying missiles equipped with nuclear warheads. It is necessary to seriously recognize that North Korea’s nuclear miniaturization technology and missile firing accuracy have improved considerably after the repeated tests and launches.
　北朝鮮は、核弾頭を搭載したミサイルの完成、配備を目指し、突き進んでいる。度重なる実験と発射により、核の小型化技術やミサイルの精度は相当程度、向上したと覚悟せねばなるまい。

Carter reaffirmed the United States’ nuclear deterrence for the defense of Japan. This can be regarded as enhancing the deterrence against Pyongyang’s provocations.
　カーター氏は、日本防衛目的の米国の核抑止力を再確認した。北朝鮮の挑発への抑止力を高めるものと評価できる。

It is imperative for the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military to steadily expand their range of information sharing and joint warning and surveillance activities. We suggest the encirclement around North Korea be strengthened by making greater efforts to conduct multilateral military exercises and promote defense cooperation with countries including South Korea, Australia and India, in addition to Japan and the United States.
　自衛隊と米軍の情報共有や共同の警戒監視活動を着実に拡大することが大切だ。日米に、韓国、豪州、インドなどを加えた多国間の訓練や防衛協力にも力を入れ、北朝鮮包囲網の強化を図りたい。

With regard to the frequent intrusion of Chinese government vessels into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands, Inada said it amounted to an “infringement of Japan’s sovereignty,” so “is absolutely intolerable.”
　尖閣諸島周辺での中国公船の頻繁な領海侵入に関して、稲田氏は「日本の主権侵害であり、断固受け入れられない」と強調した。

Carter reaffirmed that the Senkakus fall under Article 5 of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty and expressed opposition to China’s unilateral action. This is very significant.
　カーター氏は、尖閣諸島を日米安保条約５条の適用対象と認め、中国の一方的な行動への反対を明言した。その意義は大きい。

Strengthen encirclement

Regarding China’s militarization of man-made islands in the South China Sea, Inada and Carter shared the view that it amounts to an act that heightens regional tensions and is a matter of concern for the international community.
　南シナ海での中国の軍事拠点化について、両氏は、「地域の緊張を高める行動で、国際社会の懸念事項だ」との認識を共有した。

Beijing has not changed its stance of disregarding an arbitration court ruling in July that invalidated Chinese sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. Any attempt to change the status quo by force and to make it a fait accompli cannot be allowed. Both Japan and the United States should continue assisting coastal nations of the South China Sea to enhance their maritime security capabilities through the provision of patrol boats and fostering personnel.
　中国は、７月の仲裁裁判所判決を無視する構えを崩していない。力による現状変更の既成事実化は許されない。日米両国は、巡視船の供与や人材育成を通じて、南シナ海沿岸国の海上保安能力の向上を引き続き支援するべきだ。

At a lecture in Washington, Inada strongly endorsed the patrol activities of U.S. military vessels around the artificial islands built by China in the South China Sea. She also mentioned a plan for Japan to increase its engagement there, including through joint naval exercises with the U.S. military.
　稲田氏は、ワシントンでの講演で、中国の人工島周辺における米軍艦船の巡視活動を強く支持した。日本が、米軍との共同巡航訓練などを通じて、南シナ海への関与を強める方針も表明した。

To prompt China to exercise self-restraint in expanding its maritime advances backed by military force, it is imperative for not only the United States but also Japan and other relevant countries to work together actively and apply pressure on China.
　軍事力を背景とした中国の海洋進出に自制を促すには、米国だけでなく、日本や関係国が積極的に協調行動を取り、中国に圧力をかけることが欠かせない。

Concerning the issue of relocating the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station, Inada reassured Carter the Japanese government’s position that “the relocation to the Henoko district is the only solution” is unchanged. She called for U.S. cooperation in tackling the issue of moving Osprey transport aircraft training sites outside Okinawa Prefecture. Carter took a forward-looking stance toward her request.
　米軍普天間飛行場の移設問題に関し、稲田氏は会談で、辺野古移設が「唯一の解決策との立場は不変である」と強調した。米軍輸送機オスプレイの訓練の沖縄県外移転について協力要請し、カーター氏も前向きな考えを示した。

To ensure the continued and smooth stationing of U.S. troops in Japan — the bedrock of the bilateral alliance — the two countries must make greater efforts to reduce the burden on Okinawa.
　日米同盟の根幹である米軍の駐留を円滑に続けるため、両国は沖縄の負担軽減に一層努めたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 17, 2016)