日米協議決着 ＴＰＰ交渉の勝負はこれから

The Yomiuri Shimbun April 14, 2013
With entry to TPP talks imminent, negotiating challenges await Japan
日米協議決着　ＴＰＰ交渉の勝負はこれから（4月13日付・読売社説）

How can Japan make up for its late entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations? The government must make all-out efforts in the talks.
　出遅れによる不利な立場をいかに巻き返すか。政府は総力を挙げて交渉に臨まねばならない。

Japan announced Friday it has completed its bilateral preliminary consultations with the United States, which are viewed as the most crucial step for Japan to enter the TPP talks.
　日本の環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加に向け、最大のハードルだった米国との事前協議が決着した。

The U.S. administration is now set to notify Congress of its intent to accept Japan's entry into the TPP negotiations. It is expected to obtain formal approval this summer after a 90-day period for congressional procedures.
　米国政府は議会に日本の参加を通知し、９０日間の手続きを経て今夏に承認が得られそうだ。

Japan's entry needs to be approved by all 11 countries currently taking part in the TPP talks.
　１１か国が進めているＴＰＰ交渉に日本が参加するには、すべての国の同意が必要である。

Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which have yet to endorse Japan's participation, are likely to give the green light soon, finally opening the way for the nation to join the talks. We welcome the prospect that Japan likely will go to the negotiating table as early as July.
　態度を保留していたカナダ、豪州、ニュージーランドも近く、同意するとみられ、日本が参加できる条件がようやく整う。７月にも日本が交渉のテーブルに着くめどがついたことを歓迎したい。

Japan makes concessions to U.S.

Among the highlights of the bilateral accord between Japan and the United States, the two countries agreed that U.S. tariffs on imports of Japanese passenger cars and trucks will be phased out over the longest period possible. This is an apparent effort to ease the U.S. auto industry's concerns over expected increases in Japanese auto imports.
　日米合意は、米国が日本から輸入する乗用車とトラックにかけている関税率の引き下げと撤廃時期を「最大限に後ろ倒しする」ことがポイントだ。輸入増を警戒する米自動車業界に配慮した。

The two countries also agreed that Japan will refrain from approving new products of Japan Post Insurance Co., the life insurance unit of Japan Post Holdings Co. This agreement addressed a concern among the U.S. insurance sector that business expansion of Japan Post, which is partially funded by the government, would impede fair competition.
　日本郵政グループ傘下のかんぽ生命保険による新規事業は凍結する。政府出資が残る日本郵政の業務拡大は「公正な競争を阻害する」という、米保険業界の主張に沿った決着と言える。

In the U.S. Congress, some lawmakers had begun coordinating with the U.S. auto and insurance sectors and other entities to put the brakes on Japan's entry into TPP talks. We think it inevitable for Tokyo to place top priority on early entry into the TPP talks even if that results in making concessions to Washington in the bilateral consultations.
　米議会では、自動車や保険業界などと連携して日本参加を牽制(けんせい)する動きが出ていた。日本政府が早期参加の実現を最優先し、米側に譲歩したのはやむを得ない。

The 11 countries are aiming to conclude the TPP negotiations by the end of this year. There is not much time left for Japan. The nation will lose room to maneuver in making trade rules in the TPP framework if its participation is delayed further.
　１１か国はＴＰＰ交渉の年内妥結を目指している。残された時間は少なく、日本の参加が遅れれば遅れるほど、通商ルール作りに関与できる余地が狭まるからだ。

Meanwhile, Japan and the United States also confirmed in their bilateral consultations that Japan has certain trade sensitivities regarding agricultural products.
　一方、事前協議で「日本には一定の農産品といった慎重に扱うべき事柄がある」とも確認した。

The Liberal Democratic Party has called on the government to treat five agricultural items, including rice and wheat, as exceptions to the tariff elimination being sought under the TPP framework. However, calls for trade liberalization have been strong from participating countries. Japan will be tested on the extent to which it can take advantage of its bilateral agreement with the United States to push for its stance in the negotiations.
　自民党はコメ、麦など農産品５項目を関税撤廃の例外扱いとするよう政府に求めている。各国からの自由化圧力は強く、米国との合意をテコに日本の主張がどこまで認められるかが焦点となろう。

Tough strategy needed

Japan should be wary of Australia and other countries taking up the call to postpone lowering tariffs on Japanese auto imports. This could hamper growth of Japan's exports.
　自動車の関税引き下げ先送りを日本に求める動きが豪州などに広がり、輸出拡大にマイナスとなることにも要注意である。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a meeting of key ministers Friday: "We'll face a real challenge to realize our national interests from now on. We'll participate in the negotiations as soon as possible and aim to take the lead in the talks."
　安倍首相は１２日の関係閣僚会議で、「国益を実現する本当の勝負はこれからだ。一日も早く交渉に参加し、交渉を主導していきたい」との決意を明らかにした。

We hope the government will enter the negotiations with a tough strategy. Above all, Japan should boost its growth by expanding free trade and taking advantage of the vitality of Asia and other regions.
　政府は、したたかな戦略で交渉に当たってもらいたい。なにより大事なのは、自由貿易の拡大でアジアなどの活力を取り込み、日本の成長に弾みを付けることだ。

In parallel with the TPP negotiations, Japan needs to accelerate efforts to beef up its agricultural sector to prepare for global competition that will come after opening markets further.
　交渉と並行して、一段の市場開放による国際競争に備え、農業強化策を急ぐ必要がある。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 13, 2013)
（2013年4月13日01時14分 読売新聞）