日米同盟 責任分かち信頼を強化せよ

The Yomiuri Shimbun(Aug. 23, 2009)
Proactive security stance key to Japan-U.S. alliance
日米同盟　責任分かち信頼を強化せよ（8月23日付・読売社説）

Given that North Korea's nuclear and missile threat has manifested itself, it is necessary to strengthen the Japan-U.S. security alliance to enhance the effectiveness of both bilateral defense cooperation and the combined deterrent force.
　北朝鮮の核とミサイルの脅威が顕在化した今、日米同盟を強化し、防衛協力の実効性と抑止力を高める必要がある。

The alliance is important, not only in dealing with issues surrounding North Korea but also other concerns.
　同盟の重要性は、北朝鮮問題だけにあるのではない。

The establishment of a stronger Japan-U.S. alliance would serve this nation's interests in responding to the worldwide recession, global warming and energy issues. It also would benefit Japan with regards to the nuclear disarmament efforts proposed by U.S. President Barack Obama and Japan's mid- to long-term relations with China, a country that has been moving further toward major power status.
　世界不況や地球温暖化、エネルギー問題への対応、オバマ大統領の提唱する核軍縮、さらに大国化する中国との中長期的関係を展望するうえでも、強固な日米関係の構築が日本の国益にかなう。

Both the Liberal Democratic Party and Democratic Party of Japan manifestos for the Aug. 30 House of Representatives election name the Japan-U.S. alliance as the main axis of Japan's diplomacy. Despite this, the parties' policies relating to the alliance differ greatly.
　自民、民主両党は衆院選の政権公約で、ともに日米同盟を日本外交の基軸と位置づけている。だが、その中身は大きく異なる。

As part of its proposed measures to solidify the alliance, the LDP has decided to adopt a policy of partially allowing the exercise of the right to collective self-defense, a longstanding issue, so that Japan could intercept ballistic missiles heading toward the United States and protect U.S. military vessels from armed attacks. It is a welcome move.
　自民党は、同盟強化の具体策として、米国に向かう弾道ミサイルの迎撃や米軍艦船の防護を行うため、長年の懸案である集団的自衛権の行使を一部容認する方針に踏み込んだ。歓迎したい。

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Review the Constitution

Japan currently does not have the capability to shoot down missiles heading toward the United States, so gaining that ability is an issue to be discussed in the future. Sticking to the nation's stance of prohibiting missile interception in accordance with the Constitution could shake the Japan-U.S. alliance.
　日本は現在、米国向けミサイルの迎撃能力を持たないため、実際には将来の課題だが、憲法上できないという姿勢に固執していては同盟関係が揺らぎかねない。

In this regard, it is important for the ruling and opposition parties to work on reviewing the government's interpretation of the Constitution on the matter and establishing a basic law governing Japan's national security in a suprapartisan fashion.
　政府の憲法解釈の見直しや安全保障基本法の制定に、与野党が超党派で取り組むことが大切だ。

A more solid Japan-U.S. alliance cannot be realized through passive diplomacy under which Japan simply abides by U.S. demands and requests. It is important that Japan adopts a proactive diplomatic stance under which it actively considers how to solve problems, puts forward proposals and plays a role that is in keeping with its strength as a nation.
　日米同盟の強化は、単に米国の要求・要望に従うという受動的外交では実現しない。日本が問題解決の手段を積極的に考え、提案したうえ、国力に応じた役割を果たす能動的外交が重要となる。

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DPJ behaving irresponsibly

The DPJ's manifesto stresses its slogan of building "a close and equal Japan-U.S. alliance" and stipulates "Japan will fulfill its responsibilities by sharing roles with the United States."
　民主党は公約で、「緊密で対等な日米同盟関係」を標榜(ひょうぼう)し、「米国と役割を分担しながら日本の責任を果たす」と明記した。

However, what does an "equal" relationship really mean and what kind of roles and responsibilities does the DPJ plan to take on? The DPJ's manifesto fails to address these critical points. The party is acting very irresponsibly if it plans to consider such points only after taking the reins of government.
　だが、「対等」とは、どんな関係で、いかなる役割と責任を果たすのか。最も肝心な部分への言及がない。政権交代後に考えるというのでは、あまりに無責任だ。

There is no country in the world that maintains an equal footing with the United States in terms of military strength. U.S. allies are striving to play their respective roles to the extent they can in the international security arena.
　軍事的に米国と対等な国は存在しない。米国の同盟国は、それぞれが可能な範囲で国際安全保障上の役割を懸命に担っている。

In Afghanistan, more than 40 countries are currently engaged in the fight against terrorism, so far enduring the sacrifice of more than 1,300 lives. The DPJ's policy, which will end even the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling mission in the far safer Indian Ocean, will never make an "equal alliance" viable.
　アフガニスタンでは、四十数か国が計１３００人超の犠牲に耐え、「テロとの戦い」に従事している。はるかに安全なインド洋での海上自衛隊の給油活動さえ終了させるという民主党の方針では、「対等な同盟」は成り立つまい。

The DPJ also says the planned relocation within Okinawa Prefecture of the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma Air Station in Ginowan in the prefecture, which has been agreed between Japan and the United States, should be reviewed and instead the facilities should be relocated outside the prefecture or abroad. However, the Okinawa prefectural government has approved the relocation of the facilities within the prefecture and only requested minor changes in the relocation site.
　民主党は、日米間で合意した米海兵隊普天間飛行場の沖縄県内移設を県外・国外移設に見直すよう主張する。だが、沖縄県は、県内移設自体は容認し、移設場所の微修正を求めているにすぎない。

Reviewing the relocation of the Futenma Air Station is tantamount to scrapping bilateral negotiations and agreements achieved over the past 13 years and would deeply harm the mutual trust built up by the two countries.
　移設見直しは、過去１３年間の交渉・合意の白紙化を意味し、日米の信頼関係を深く傷つけよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Aug. 23, 2009)
（2009年8月23日01時15分 読売新聞）