安倍晋三首相とトランプ大統領の日米首脳会談で、米軍普天間飛行場の移設に伴う名護市辺野古の新基地建設計画を「唯一の解決策」として推進することが確認された。世論調査などで県民の７～８割が反対する辺野古新基地建設だ。日米首脳が沖縄の頭越しに「唯一」と規定するのは許されない。
しかし今回、米側は駐留経費などの問題には触れなかった。一方で日本側が焦点としてきた中国が領有権を主張する尖閣諸島について、米国の対日防衛義務を定めた日米安全保障条約第５条の適用対象だと確認した。
首脳会談の共同声明として初めて、辺野古新基地建設が「普天間飛行場の継続的な使用を回避するための唯一の解決策である」と明記した。
一方で、喫緊の課題である普天間飛行場の２０１９年２月まで（５年以内）の運用停止について日本側が要求することもなく、沖縄の基地負担軽減は議題にならなかった。安倍首相が沖縄の基地負担軽減を政権の課題とみなしていないことが分かる。
日米同盟を一層強化することでも一致し、米側は防衛面では日本側の要求をそのまま受け入れた形だ。
米側は経済面ではしっかり実を取った。象徴的なのは環太平洋経済連携協定（ＴＰＰ）に代わる２国間の枠組み協議を確認したことだ。共同声明では「米国がＴＰＰから離脱した点に留意し、最善の方法を探求する。日米で２国間の枠組みに関する議論を行う」とした。
安倍首相は国会などで米側にＴＰＰ離脱の翻意を促すと繰り返してきたが、実行しなかった。今後はトランプ氏の求める２国間の自由貿易協定（ＦＴＡ）に向けた議論をせざるを得ない。
防衛面では日本に譲り、経済面では自らの主張を通す。経済人トランプ氏ならではの「ディール（取引）」外交といえよう。
しかし米国の経済政策と絡めて、ただでさえ米軍基地の過重負担にあえぐ沖縄に新たな基地を押し付ける日米の策が許されていいはずはない。辺野古の海は日米への貢ぎ物ではない。
Editorial: Claim at U.S.-Japan summit meeting that “Henoko is the only solution” is unacceptable
February 12, 2017 Ryukyu ShimpoAt the summit meeting between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Donald Trump, the two confirmed that they will proceed with the construction of a new base in conjunction with the relocation of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma to Henoko, Nago on the grounds that it is “the only solution”. Opinion polls show that 70% to 80% of Okinawans oppose the Henoko base construction. It is unacceptable that the U.S. and Japanese heads of state go over Okinawa’s head to decide that Henoko is the “only option.”
During his campaign, Trump hinted that he might withdraw U.S. troops from Japan and called for Japan to increase its cost burden for hosting U.S. troops. The Japanese government was steeling itself for whatever demands Trump might make.
But at the recent summit, the United States made no reference to issues such as hosting costs. Rather, the United States confirmed that the Senkaku Islands, over which China claims territorial rights, and on which Japan places great emphasis, fall under application of Article 5 of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, which sets forth the United States’ duty to defend Japan.
This was the first time a joint statement prepared at a summit meeting explicitly stated that building a new base in Henoko is “the only solution that avoids the continued use of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.”
Meanwhile, Japan failed to request that operations at Futenma cease by February 2019 (within five years from when that declaration was made), despite it being a pressing issue; the topic of reducing Okinawa’s base burden also did not arise. This shows that Prime Minister Abe does not view reduction of Okinawa’s base burden as an issue that must be addressed.
The two sides also agreed to further strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance, and the United States appears to have accepted all of Japan’s requests when it comes to defense.
The United States got significant results when it came to the economy. That the two sides confirmed that they will engage in talks toward forming a bilateral framework to replace the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is symbolic of this. The joint statement reads, “noting that the United States has withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the leaders pledged to explore how best to accomplish [their] shared objectives. This will include discussions between the United States and Japan on a bilateral framework”.
In the Diet, Prime Minister Abe repeatedly stated he would encourage the United States to rethink its abandonment of the TPP, but he did not follow through on this. Now there is no choice but to proceed with Trump’s demand for talks aimed toward a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
In terms of defense, the United States capitulated to Japan, and when it came to economics, it ensured it got its way. Perhaps this is businessman Trump’s style of “deal” diplomacy.
However, there is no way we can accept the policy of the U.S. and Japan to simply force yet another base on Okinawa, which already suffers under a disproportionate burden of U.S. bases, in connection with U.S. economic policy. Henoko’s ocean is not a form of tribute for the U.S. and Japanese governments.
(English translation by T&CT and Sandi Aritza)
Go to Japanese
