The Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan-Australia security relationship must be enhanced on multiple layers
日豪２プラス２　安保協力を重層的に進めたい

Security cooperation between Japan and Australia is an important foundation for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. The collaboration must be deepened multilaterally by promoting bilateral communications.
日本と豪州の安全保障協力は、アジア太平洋地域の平和と安定への重要な基盤である。意思疎通を図り、多角的に連携を深化させるべきだ。

After the so-called two-plus-two meeting of their foreign and defense ministers in Sydney, the two countries issued a joint statement calling for strengthening defense cooperation through joint military exercises and exchange between troops, among other things.
日豪両政府はシドニーで外務・防衛閣僚会合（２プラス２）を開き、共同訓練や部隊交流など、両国の防衛協力を強化するとの共同声明を発表した。

Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said the Japan-Australia relationship is “a special one sharing fundamental values and strategic interests.” His Australian counterpart, Julie Bishop, responded by saying the bilateral relationship is more important than ever.
岸田外相は、日豪関係について「基本的な価値、戦略的利益を共有する特別な関係だ」と強調した。ビショップ豪外相は、「かつてないほど重要だ」と指摘した。

Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who had built a close relationship with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, resigned in September over an economic slump and other matters. As his successor, Malcolm Turnbull, who belongs to the same Liberal Party as Abbott, attaches more importance to relations with China, there was concern in some quarters before the two-plus-two meeting that Tokyo-Canberra relations would regress under his administration.
安倍首相と親密だったアボット豪前首相は９月、経済不振などで退任した。同じ自由党のターンブル首相は、対中関係を重視しており、対日関係が後退することへの懸念が一部にあった。

Abe and Turnbull held their first conference in mid-November in Turkey. With the holding of the recent two-plus-two meeting, Tokyo-Canberra relations seem to be on track. The two governments must continue political dialogue as they work toward building confidence.
安倍、ターンブル両氏は今月中旬、トルコで初めて会談した。今回の２プラス２開催で、両政権の関係は軌道に乗った、と評価できる。今後も、政治対話を重ね、信頼醸成を図ることが大切だ。

Defense Minister Gen Nakatani explained the security-related laws enacted in September. Bishop welcomed the security legislation, saying that it would allow Japan to make a greater contribution to peacekeeping activities, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
中谷防衛相は、９月に成立した安全保障関連法を説明した。ビショップ氏は「平和維持活動、人道支援、災害救援でより多くの貢献をしてもらえる」と歓迎した。

The security legislation is primarily aimed at solidifying the Japan-U.S. alliance and international cooperation, thereby ensuring security for Japan and the world.
安保関連法は日米同盟と国際連携を強化し、日本と世界の安全を確保することが主眼である。

Trilateral cooperation

The scope of Japan’s logistic support has been expanded to include troops other than those of the United States based on the assumption that Australian troops would be mobilized in case of emergencies around Japan.
後方支援の対象を米軍以外にも拡大したのは、日本周辺での緊急事態に豪州軍が駆けつけるケースなどを想定している。

A multilayered cooperative relationship must be built through such efforts as joint drills between Self-Defense Forces and the Australian military and trilateral exercises involving U.S. troops.
自衛隊と豪州軍、さらに米軍を交えた共同訓練などを通じ、重層的な協力関係を構築したい。

Australia will select a partner for joint development of its next-generation submarine from among Japan, France and Germany.
豪州は、次期潜水艦の共同開発の相手について、日仏独の３か国の中から選定する。

Japan’s submarine manufacturing technology is said to be among the best in the world. In this connection, the government needs to hold sufficient talks with Australia to prevent the leak of technologies to third-party countries.
日本の潜水艦製造技術は世界最高水準とされる。政府は、第三国への技術流出防止について、豪州側と十分協議する必要がある。

With China’s maritime advances in the East and South China Seas and construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea in mind, the joint statement expressed “strong opposition to any coercive and unilateral actions.” The statement also said all nations have the freedom of navigation and flight under international law.
共同声明は、中国の東・南シナ海での海洋進出や人工島造成を念頭に、「あらゆる威圧的、一方的な行動に強く反対する」と表明した。すべての国が、国際法に基づいて「航行と飛行の自由」を持つとも明記している。

The U.S. Navy’s patrols within 12 nautical miles of the reclaimed islands embody the principle of international law. Japan and Australia need to support the United States through every possible means.
人工島の１２カイリ内での米軍の巡視活動は、国際法の原則を体現するものだ。日豪は、様々な手段で米国を後押しする必要がある。

Japan and Australia plan to provide assistance measures for Papua New Guinea and other island countries in the Pacific, such as enhancing the capabilities of ensuring maritime security and improving social infrastructure.
日豪は、パプアニューギニアなど太平洋の島嶼とうしょ国に対し、海上保安能力の向上や社会基盤整備などを支援する方針だ。

Ensuring the safety of sea-lanes in the Western Pacific is of common interest to all the nations concerned. Japan should make a proactive commitment in this regard.
西太平洋の海上交通路（シーレーン）の安全確保は、各国共通の利益だ。積極的に寄与したい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 24, 2015)