首相中南米歴訪 互恵の関係を長期的に築こう

The Yomiuri Shimbun
Reciprocal, sustainable long-term ties with Latin America important
首相中南米歴訪　互恵の関係を長期的に築こう

The task of securing a stable supply of energy and food is an important matter of diplomatic concern for our nation. Given this, strengthening relations with resource-rich nations in Central and South America is extremely significant for Japan.
　日本にとって、エネルギーや食糧の安定確保は重要な外交課題だ。資源の豊富な中南米諸国との関係を積極的に強化する意味は大きい。

During his five-nation Latin American tour, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday held talks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in which he confirmed Japan would offer technical assistance for deep-sea oil development off southeastern Brazil. Japanese corporations are aiming to win orders for projects to build a floating platform as a base for oil development operations.
　中南米５か国を歴訪中の安倍首相がブラジルのルセフ大統領と会談し、ブラジル南東部沖の海底油田開発に関する技術協力を確認した。日本企業は油田開発に必要な浮体式構造物（メガフロート）の受注を目指している。

The two leaders also decided to start talks aimed at improving the efficiency of grain transportation in Brazil. Bilateral talks will likely cover such issues as projects to build and improve road and railway networks extending to seaports from inland grain belts in that nation.
　ブラジル国内での穀物輸送を効率化するため、両国の協議を開始することも決めた。内陸部の穀倉地帯から港への道路や鉄道網の整備などが対象となる見通しだ。

In a meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, meanwhile, the prime minister agreed that Japan would cooperate in promoting oil and natural gas development programs in Mexico. The agreement will require our nation to extend technical and financial aid to Mexico.
　首相はメキシコのエンリケ・ペニャニエト大統領との会談でも、石油・天然ガス開発の協力で一致した。日本が技術、資金両面で支援するという。

All this constitutes an effort to facilitate natural resource-related cooperation with Latin American countries, a task essential for rectifying our nation’s heavy reliance on Middle Eastern nations for oil and other supplies and ensuring it has a diversity of suppliers. Doing so is significant for Japan’s energy security.
　日本が中南米との資源協力を進め、中東に偏った石油などの調達先を多角化することは、エネルギー安全保障面で意義がある。

What is important in this endeavor is to respect efforts by Japan’s partner nations to facilitate resource development on their own while also establishing long-term relations under which to enjoy mutual benefits.
　大切なのは、相手国の自主的な開発を尊重し、共に利益を享受する長期的な関係を築くことだ。

China has been no less active in increasing ties with Latin American countries, with a view to securing natural resources from them. This was evident, for example, in a visit to Brazil and some other nations in the region by Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, observers have said that China puts its own interests first, paying no attention to its partners’ wishes for development.
　中国も、習近平国家主席が７月にブラジルなどを歴訪するなど、資源確保を視野に中南米との関係を強化している。ただ、中国は目先の利益を最優先し、相手国の発展を顧みないとの指摘がある。

Japan should attach great importance to building reciprocal relationships with its Latin American partners, and emphasize its difference from China in dealing with these countries.
　日本は互恵関係を重視し、中国との差別化を図るべきだ。

Path to Security Council

Abe’s latest tour included trips to Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia and Chile. He was the first prime minister to make a full-fledged tour of Central and South America in 10 years. The prime minister was accompanied by about 70 others, including corporate executives.
　安倍首相は今回、トリニダード・トバゴ、コロンビア、チリも訪問した。首相の本格的な中南米歴訪は１０年ぶりで、約７０人の企業首脳らが同行した。

Latin America is home to about 600 million people. Many nations in that region feel affinity toward Japan. That part of the world has achieved significant economic growth in recent years, combined with an increase in the number of middle-class consumers with a strong motivation to spend money. The Japanese government and the private sector should join hands in encouraging domestic companies to do business in Latin American markets while also boosting two-way trade with these nations.
　中南米の人口は６億人で、親日的な国が多い。近年は経済成長が著しく、消費意欲が強い中間層も増えている。日本は、官民が連携して企業の進出を図り、貿易拡大に努めることが大切である。

At Friday’s meeting, Abe and Rousseff agreed that Japan and Brazil, both of which aim to gain a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, would promote cooperation in this respect as the United Nations marks its 70th anniversary next year. The two leaders confirmed their governments would increase ties with Germany and India in what could be called a “Group of Four nations,” so progress could be made in reforming the most powerful U.N. organ.
　日ブラジル首脳会談では、国連創設７０周年の来年に向けて、安全保障理事会改革を進めるため、常任理事国入りを目指す両国にドイツ、インドを加えた「Ｇ４」の連携を強めることで一致した。

Thirty-three Central and South American nations account for somewhat less than 20 percent of the U.N. member states. Japan’s bid to reform the Security Council will require support from these Latin American countries. Japan stands ready to run in an election to choose new nonpermanent members of the council in autumn next year. Abe’s latest tour was aimed, in part, at securing votes in favor of Japan at the U.N. election.
　中南米３３か国は国連加盟国全体の２割弱を占める。安保理改革の実現には中南米の支持が欠かせない。日本は、来秋の非常任理事国選挙に立候補する方針で、首相の歴訪には票固めの狙いもある。

During his Latin American tour, Abe met top leaders from member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), an organization comprising 14 nations and one territory in the Caribbean Basin. The summit meeting was the first of its kind to be held between Japan and the CARICOM members.
　首相は今回、カリブ海の１４か国・１地域で作る「カリブ共同体」との首脳会合を初めて開いた。

Japan should obtain support from the Caribbean nations for its Security Council reform drive. This may be made possible through close cooperation with these countries in the field of disaster damage management, given that they are prone to natural calamities.
　ハリケーンなどの被害を受けやすいカリブ諸国とは、防災協力を通じて関係を緊密化し、安保理改革への支持を取り付けたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 3, 2014)