海自警護活動 海賊対策の実効性を高めよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun(Apr. 8, 2009)
Enhance effectiveness of antipiracy measures
海自警護活動　海賊対策の実効性を高めよ（4月8日付・読売社説）

What should we do to protect as many civilian ships as possible with a limited number of Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels? In addition to the early passage of a bill for the antipiracy mission, we need to rack our brains to come up with ways to enhance the effectiveness of the nation's antipiracy measures.
　限られた海上自衛隊の艦船で、より多くの民間船舶を守るには、どうすべきか。海賊対処法案の早期成立に加え、海賊対策の実効性を高めるよう知恵を絞る必要がある。

Two MSDF destroyers--the Sazanami and the Samidare--have been escorting Japan-linked commercial ships in the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden off the northern coast of Somalia to protect them from pirate attacks. Since March 30, the two destroyers have escorted 10 Japan-linked vessels by shuttling back and forth in a sea-lane stretching 900 kilometers from east to west, traversing that distance three times.
　ソマリア北方沖のアデン湾で、海自艦船２隻による警護活動が始まった。先月３０日以来、東西約９００キロの海域を１往復半し、計１０隻の日本関係船舶を護衛した。

An average of at least six Japan-linked vessels sail in the zone daily, and the number of vessels that can be escorted in a convoy formation is limited.
　現場を航行する日本関係船舶は１日平均６隻以上にもなるが、船団を組んで警護する現行方式で守れる船の数は限られる。

In waters off the coast of Somalia, naval vessels from about 20 countries, including Britain, China, France and the United States, are now engaged in protecting commercial vessels from pirates. However, 61 attacks by pirates have already been reported this year--more than half the figure of last year's attacks.
　ソマリア沖では今、米英仏中など２０か国前後の海軍艦船が警護活動に従事している。だが、今年の海賊被害は６１件に上り、早くも昨年１年分の半分を超した。

It is hard to say that the countries' antipiracy measures have been successful. Recently, pirate attacks occurred in waters off the east coast of Somalia, where commercial vessels can expect little protection.
　各国の海賊対策が奏功しているとは言い難い。最近は、警護が手薄なソマリア東方沖にまで被害が拡大している。

This is also a battle of ideas being waged between the international community and pirates. It is vital that Japan closely cooperate with countries concerned and try to develop more effective antipiracy methods.
　これは国際社会と海賊の“知恵比べ”でもある。日本も関係国と緊密に連携し、より効果的な活動を検討することが肝要だ。

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P-3C planes have key role

One important measure will be the dispatch of MSDF P-3C patrol airplanes.
　一つの重要な方策は、海自の哨戒機Ｐ３Ｃの派遣だろう。

There reportedly are more than 10 pirate groups, and their mother ships send several small boats to attack commercial vessels. Therefore, Japan will be able to make a greater international contribution if the P-3C aircraft confirms the mother ship's location and shares such information with other countries.
　海賊は十数グループあり、その母船から小型船数隻を出動させて船舶を襲う、とされる。Ｐ３Ｃで空から母船の所在を確認し、関係国と情報を共有すれば、日本としての有力な国際貢献となる。

The European Union has switched to a method of intensively patrolling danger zones, judging it more effective than escorting vessels in a convoy formation. But this method means protecting foreign-linked vessels.
　欧州連合（ＥＵ）は、船団警護方式より効率的と判断し、危険海域を集中的に哨戒する方式に移行している。ただ、この方式は、他国の船舶も守ることが前提だ。

Due to the maritime policing provision of the Self-Defense Forces Law, the MSDF is only allowed to protect Japan-linked vessels. Therefore, Japan cannot adopt this method.
　海自は、自衛隊法の海上警備行動に基づき日本関係船舶しか警護できず、今は採用できない。

On Friday, a MSDF destroyer helped a Singapore-registered tanker that sought assistance fending off a suspicious boat that was approaching by shining a searchlight on it and issuing a warning by loudspeaker. The assistance offered was made based on the Mariners Law, which stipulates that seamen should make all necessary efforts to help fellow seamen whose lives are in danger. But the use of weapons is limited to self-defense under the law.
　海自は今月３日、シンガポールのタンカーから救援要請を受け、大音響発生装置などで不審船を追い払った。人命救助に必要な手段を尽くす、という船員法の規定を根拠としたが、武器使用は正当防衛などに制限される。

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Bill must be passed

At all events, it is indispensable to have the Diet pass the antipiracy legislation, which will enable MSDF destroyers to protect foreign-registered vessels, facilitating effective antipiracy activities.
　やはり、効果的な活動のためには、他国の船舶も警護できる海賊対処法案の成立が欠かせない。

The Democratic Party of Japan should not cling tenaciously to the unrealistic principle that holds that the Japan Coast Guard, not the MSDF, should perform antipiracy activities. We hope the DPJ will cooperate with the early passage of the antipiracy bill so pressing threats can be dealt with swiftly.
　民主党は、「海自でなく海上保安庁が主体に」という非現実的な建前論に固執すべきではない。目前の危機に迅速に対応できるよう早期成立に協力してほしい。

It is also important to support maritime safety authorities in neighboring countries, such as Yemen, Oman and Djibouti, by providing patrol vessels.
　巡視船の供与などを通じて、イエメン、オマーン、ジブチなど周辺国の海上保安機関を育成・支援することも大切だろう。

The benefit of improving the capability of such authorities is shown by the situation in waters near the Malacca Straits in Southeast Asia, where the number of pirate attacks has tumbled in recent years.
　近隣国の海保能力向上の重要性は、東南アジアのマラッカ海峡付近の海賊被害が近年、大きく減少したことで実証されている。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 8, 2009)
（2009年4月8日01時37分 読売新聞）