衆院予算委 首相はＴＰＰ参加へカジ切れ

Abe must steer toward participation in TPP talks
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Feb. 9, 2013)
衆院予算委　首相はＴＰＰ参加へカジ切れ（2月8日付・読売社説）

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe must look positively at participation in negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership multilateral trade and economic framework to realize economic revitalization, which is the top priority of his administration.
　安倍首相は、最優先課題の経済再生を実現するためにも、環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉参加に前向きに取り組むべきである。

Deliberations of the House of Representatives Budget Committee, the first full-fledged Diet debate since the launch of the Abe administration, have started.
　安倍内閣の発足後、初めての本格的な国会論戦となる衆院予算委員会での質疑が始まった。

In response to questions from lawmakers over participation in the TPP negotiations, Abe did not stray from the Liberal Democratic Party's latest election pledge of opposing participation in the negotiations as long as the premise is the abolition of tariffs without exception. Regarding the Japan-U.S. summit meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama scheduled for late February, Abe only said, "I don't have to bring up participation in the TPP negotiations."
　首相のＴＰＰ交渉参加に関する答弁は、「例外なき関税撤廃を前提とする限り反対する」との自民党公約の域を出なかった。今月下旬の日米首脳会談についても「参加に言及しなければならないことはない」と語るにとどめた。

This shows a half-hearted attitude.
　何とも腰の引けた姿勢だ。

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Exercise negotiating power

Abe probably took into consideration that wariness within the Liberal Democratic Party toward participation in the TPP negotiations has been gaining momentum. Many LDP members fear losing the support of major LDP support organizations such as agricultural cooperatives with this summer's House of Councillors election in sight.
　夏の参院選を控え、自民党内で、農協など支持団体の離反を恐れた慎重論が勢いを増していることに配慮したのだろう。

The LDP is now summarizing members' opinions on the TPP at its Research Commission on Regional Diplomatic and Economic Partnership, but we think there must be difficulties forming a consensus.
　自民党は、外交・経済連携調査会でＴＰＰの見解を取りまとめる作業に入っているが、意見集約の難航が予想される。

Before the lower house election last year, Abe emphasized that the LDP has "bargaining power." As the LDP is now back in the seat of power, it now must make the necessary arrangements to exercise its bargaining power and steer toward participation in the negotiations.
　首相は昨年の衆院選前、自民党には「交渉力がある」と強調していた。政権に復帰した以上、「交渉力」発揮に必要な体制を整え、参加へカジを切るべきだ。

LDP Policy Research Council Chairwoman Sanae Takaichi said during a TV program last month, "There is a small possibility for us to leave the talks after participating in the negotiations if our desired conditions are not met."
　高市政調会長は先月のテレビ番組で、「交渉に参加しながら、条件が合わなければ脱退する選択肢もゼロではない」と指摘した。

Japan must first participate in the negotiations of the pan-Pacific economic partnership agreement and work toward formulating trade rules that will benefit Japan's national interests.
　まずは交渉に参加し、日本の国益にかなう通商ルールづくりを目指さなければならない。

However, the prevailing atmosphere within the LDP is that even the level of commitment in Takaichi's statement should not be allowed.
　だが、自民党内は、この程度の発言も許さない雰囲気だ。

Some LDP members opposed to participation say there has been no explanation of any concrete advantages of Japan's participation in the TPP.
　反対派の中には「ＴＰＰに参加した場合の具体的メリットの説明がない」との声もある。

Participation in the TPP, which is designed to take advantage of the vitality of emerging Asian economies, can become a major pillar for Japan's growth strategy. The government needs to sufficiently explain this and other advantages to the Diet and the public.
　アジアの活力を取り込むＴＰＰ参加は、成長戦略の柱となり得る。政府は、こうした利点をきちんと説明する必要がある。

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Continuously work on China

Meanwhile, ruling and opposition members alike expressed strong concern at the committee meeting about the continuing provocations by China against Japan in the East China Sea.
　一方、東シナ海における中国の相次ぐ挑発行為に対しては、与野党から強い懸念が示された。

Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said the locking of fire-control radar on a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer by a Chinese Navy ship is equivalent to a "threat of force." He also pointed out the possibility the action may have violated the U.N. Charter.
　小野寺防衛相は、中国軍艦艇による自衛艦への火器管制レーダー照射について「武力の威嚇に当たる」として、国連憲章に抵触する可能性を指摘した。

Abe expressed eagerness to improve relations with China, saying, "We have problems with China, and that's why we should advance dialogue with them."
　首相は「問題があるからこそ対話を進めるべきだ」と中国との関係改善に意欲を示した。

As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, China bears a great responsibility in maintaining global peace and stability. Japan must cooperate with other nations, including the United States, to continuously and strongly call on China to observe the rules of the international community.
　中国は、国連安全保障理事会常任理事国として世界の平和と安定の維持に大きな責任を持つ。米国などと連携して、国際社会のルールを順守するよう中国に強く働きかけねばなるまい。

Rising tensions in East Asia will adversely affect both the Japanese and Chinese economies. It is vital for the government to continuously try to persuade China to understand returning bilateral relations to normal will benefit both nations.
　東アジアの緊張が高まることは日中両国の経済に悪影響を与える。政府は、日中関係の正常化が両国の利益につながることを中国に説き続けることが肝要だ。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 8, 2013)
（2013年2月8日01時27分 読売新聞）