北極海の開発 資源や航路で戦略的関与を

The Yomiuri Shimbun May 20, 2013
Japan should strategically engage in discussions on Arctic development
北極海の開発　資源や航路で戦略的関与を（5月19日付・読売社説）

As an increasing number of countries have clearly demonstrated their interest in the commercial and military potential of the Arctic Ocean, the government should unite relevant parties to draw up a national strategy on the region.
　商業、軍事利用の潜在的な可能性が高い北極海を巡り、各国の利害が交錯し始めた。日本もオールジャパンで国家戦略を練るべきである。

In Sweden, the Arctic Council comprising the United States, Russia and Nordic countries held a ministerial meeting last week for the first time in two years. The council has admitted six countries, including Japan, China and South Korea, as observers.
　米露両国や北欧諸国などによる「北極評議会」が２年ぶりの閣僚会議をスウェーデンで開き、日本や中国、韓国など６か国のオブザーバー資格を新たに承認した。

The Arctic Council is a forum for discussing and coordinating development of the Arctic and protecting its environment. Japan was granted observer status based on its internationally recognized contributions to environmental research and observation of the region. It is significant to be allowed to participate in the council’s meetings as an observer. This will serve Japan’s interests as a maritime nation.
　評議会は、北極圏開発や環境保護を協議する場で、日本は環境研究や極地観測への貢献が評価された。オブザーバーとして協議に参加する意義は大きい。海洋国家としての国益にもつながろう。

Potential for new routes

Since the amount of sea ice has been decreasing every year due to global warming, many countries are focused on whether new regular routes connecting Asia and Europe can be opened in the Arctic Ocean.
　北極海は、地球温暖化に伴って年々海氷が縮小している。アジアと欧州を結ぶ定期航路ができるかどうか、注目されている。

In December, a tanker of a company related to the Russian government transported liquefied natural gas produced in Norway to Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. This was the world’s first instance of LNG transportation via an Arctic route.
　昨年１２月には、ロシア政府系企業のタンカーが、ノルウェーの液化天然ガス（ＬＮＧ）を福岡県北九州市に運んだ。北極海航路を利用した世界初のＬＮＧ輸送だ。

If such routes become regularly available, Japan will benefit from a reduced navigation distance to and from Europe, as Arctic channels are about 40 percent shorter than those using the Suez Canal.
　こうした航路が定着すれば、日本にとっても、欧州との航行距離がスエズ運河経由より約４割縮まるという利点がある。

However, ships will face a higher risk of grounding in the Arctic Ocean because it is shallow. Vessels will also have to depend mainly on Russian ports for rescue activities in case of contingencies.
　ただ、北極海は海深が浅く、船舶の座礁事故の危険性が高い。救難などの拠点となる港湾は、主にロシアに頼らざるを得ない。

On the pretext of preventing accidents, Russia is gaining commercial control of Arctic routes by, for example, obliging ships traveling on them to pay to have icebreakers lead their vessels.
　事故を防ぐためにロシアは、航行する船舶に砕氷船の随行を義務づけて料金を課すなど、商業的に支配権を握りつつある。

Japan should carefully assess whether stable navigation can be ensured on the routes and if so, if it is worthwhile to use them.
　安定した航行が確保され、採算が取れるかどうか。日本は慎重に見極めるべきだ。

Abundant energy resources such as natural gas and crude oil at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean also make the region very attractive.
　北極海の海底には、豊富な天然ガスや原油などのエネルギー資源が眠っていることも魅力だ。

Exploitation of such resources in the frigid sea will be an extremely large-scale state project. Countries have already begun bargaining for commercial use of the resources in the future. Japan, too, must enhance cooperation between the government and private sector to study the issue.
　酷寒の海での資源開発は大規模な国家的プロジェクトとなる。商業利用に向け、各国の駆け引きが始まっている。日本も官民連携を強化し、検討する必要がある。

Role in national security

It is worrying, however, that Russia, which has been pursuing a policy of southward advancement for decades, may start utilizing the Arctic routes for national defense.
　気がかりなのは、南下政策を長年進めてきたロシアが、北極海航路に安全保障上も目を転じることだ。

There is a possibility Moscow could reinforce its Pacific fleet, including nuclear submarines, and intensify its activities in Northeast Asia.
原子力潜水艦などでつくる太平洋艦隊を増強し、北東アジアでの活動を強める可能性がある。

The United States also declared it vital to expand national security interests in the Arctic, and has unveiled a strategy defining development of the region as beneficial to the country. Additionally, Beijing is escalating activities to secure its own maritime interests.
　米国も「安全保障上の利益拡大が重要だ」として、北極圏開発を国益と位置づける国家戦略を発表した。中国も「海洋権益」の確保を目指し、活発に動いている。

Japan cannot afford to stand on the sidelines of this issue. If more countries begin frequently using Arctic routes, the Soya, Tsugaru and Tsushima straits will become important gateways to China, Russia and other countries.
　日本も無関係ではいられない。北極海航路の使用が国際的に活発化すれば、宗谷、津軽、対馬海峡が中国、ロシアなどの重要な“出入り口”となるだろう。

Other nations’ actions regarding the Arctic Ocean should also be closely monitored in the interest of national security.
　北極圏の動向は、日本の安全保障政策の観点からも注視していくことが肝要である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 19, 2013)
（2013年5月19日01時11分  読売新聞）