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鳩山対米外交 信頼構築へ言動が問われる

The Yomiuri Shimbun(Sep. 4, 2009)
Actions speak louder than words on U.S. ties
鳩山対米外交 信頼構築へ言動が問われる(9月4日付・読売社説)

Words alone are not enough to build a relationship of trust between Japan and the United States. Actions also will be important for crafting deeper ties.
 日米の信頼関係を築くには、「言葉」だけでなく「行動」が肝心だ。

During his telephone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama, Democratic Party of Japan President Yukio Hatoyama said the Japan-U.S. security alliance remained the "foundation" of Japan's foreign policy. The two leaders also agreed that their nations would build future-oriented relations. Hatoyama echoed these comments during his meeting Thursday with new U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos.
 民主党の鳩山代表がオバマ米大統領との電話会談で「日米同盟が基軸」との意向を表明し、未来志向の関係を築くことで一致した。ジョン・ルース駐日大使との会談でも、日米関係の強化を確認した。

A call from the U.S. president and a visit by the ambassador so soon after the DPJ's landslide victory in the House of Representatives election indicates that the U.S. government attaches great importance to ties with Japan but, at the same time, is concerned about the future bilateral relationship.
 民主党の衆院選勝利後早々の大統領からの電話や大使の表敬訪問は、米政府が日本を重視すると同時に、今後の日米関係を心配しているため、と見るべきだろう。

These anxieties stemmed partly from Hatoyama's recent op-ed piece in The New York Times that caused a stir by expressing views that appeared to be critical of the United States.
 というのも、米紙に最近掲載された鳩山代表の論文が、「反米的だ」などと米側に受け止められ、波紋を広げているからだ。

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Article invited confusion

The article, which was published in the newspaper's electronic version as a translated excerpt from an article originally carried in a monthly Japanese magazine, contained comments including, "Japan has been continually buffeted by the winds of market fundamentalism in a U.S.-led movement...Consequently, human dignity is lost," and Japan and other Asian nations "want to restrain U.S. political and economic excesses."
 論文には、「日本は米国主導の市場原理主義に翻弄(ほんろう)され続け、人間の尊厳が失われた」「米国の政治的、経済的行き過ぎは抑制したい」といった表現がある。

Hatoyama later explained that he did not intend to espouse anti-U.S. views in the article. But it is undeniable that the article included expressions critical of the United States and, as a result, gave the impression it was anti-U.S.
 鳩山代表は「反米的な考え方を示したものでない」と説明する。だが、論文が米国批判を含み、結果的に「反米的」との印象を与えた事実は否定できない。

Reaction in the United States also has been shaped by mounting distrust against DPJ policy planks such as opposition to the Maritime Self-Defense Force's refueling activities in the Indian Ocean and calls for reviewing the planned realignment of U.S. forces stationed in Japan.
 米側の反応の背景には、インド洋での海上自衛隊の給油活動への反対や、在日米軍再編の見直しなど、従来の民主党の主張に対する不信感の蓄積もあるだろう。

Hatoyama is no longer a mere opposition leader; he will soon become this nation's prime minister. He should remember that his remarks carry considerable weight.
 鳩山代表は、もはや単なる野党党首でなく、次期首相の立場だ。その発言の重みを自覚し、行動することが求められる。

He should not simply stick to underlining differences between his party and the government and ruling parties, as he did while he was an opposition member. Rather, Hatoyama should commit himself to preserving policies that deserve to be kept in place and develop them into better ones.
 野党時代のように、政府・与党との違いを強調することばかりに固執すべきではない。継承すべき政策はしっかりと継承し、むしろ発展させる発想が大切だ。

Hatoyama has a busy--and important--diplomatic schedule coming up. He is expected to hold his first summit meeting with Obama later this month around the time when a U.N. General Assembly meeting is to be held. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to visit Japan in October, and Obama is penciled in to visit Japan in November.
 今月下旬の国連総会に合わせた初の日米首脳会談、10月にゲーツ国防長官来日、11月にオバマ大統領来日と、重要な外交日程が続く。

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United stance needed

Initially, Hatoyama might only be obliged to pay lip service to the importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance. But words by themselves will certainly not be enough over the long term.
最初は、日米同盟の重要性を「言葉」で確認すればいいが、それだけではすまされない。

Tokyo and Washington face a raft of important issues that must be tackled together, such as the fight against terrorism, North Korea's nuclear ambitions, the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, and reviving the staggering world economy. What role will Japan play to resolve these issues? If the DPJ intends to end the refueling mission, it must present concrete alternative measures.
 テロとの戦い、北朝鮮の核、在日米軍再編、世界経済の回復など日米が連携して取り組むべき重要課題は多い。日本は、問題解決のためにどんな役割を果たすのか。例えば給油活動を中止するなら、具体的な代案を示すべきだ。

During talks with the Social Democratic Party and the People's New Party aimed at striking a deal on forming a coalition, the DPJ proposed that pursuing a close and equal alliance with the United States be included as a policy in a consensus document among the parties. The DPJ apparently wants to make more demands of the United States than ever before.
 民主党は社民、国民新両党との連立政権協議で、「緊密で対等な日米同盟関係」を合意文書に盛り込むよう提案している。従来以上に米国に注文する狙いだろう。

However, the party should not forget that, as long as it intends to be more willing to speak its mind, it must bear due responsibilities in the international community.
 だが、物を言う以上は、当然、日本が相応の国際的な責任を担う覚悟を忘れてはなるまい。

Hatoyama's repeated verbal overtures seeking a relationship of trust with Obama will not amount to anything unless they are backed up with actions.
 鳩山代表が再三口にする「オバマ大統領との信頼関係」は、「行動」なしに実現しない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Sept. 4, 2009)
(2009年9月4日01時28分 読売新聞)
by kiyoshimat | 2009-09-04 07:14 | 英字新聞

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