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タイ在住11年目、妻はタイ人、娘が2人、養女が2人

The Yomiuri Shimbun
China’s anti-Japan propaganda distorts postwar history ahead of anniversary
国連「７０年」討論　歴史を曲げる中国の反日宣伝

China has begun full-fledged anti-Japan propaganda, in connection with the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
　「戦後７０年」を巡る中国の反日宣伝活動が、本格的に始まった。

The U.N. Security Council on Monday held an open debate in line with the 70th anniversary of the end of the war and the foundation of the United Nations. The meeting was proposed by China, the chair of the council this month, and representatives from about 80 countries made statements.
　国連安全保障理事会が戦後７０年と国連創設７０年に合わせた公開討論を開いた。２月の議長国である中国が提案した会合で、約８０か国の代表が発言した。

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi presided at the meeting, saying, “There are still some reluctant to recognize the truth and [who] even attempt to overturn and whitewash past crimes of aggression.” Although he refrained from naming Japan, it is obvious that China had this nation in mind.
　議長を務める中国の王毅外相は第２次大戦について「いまだに真実を認めたがらず、侵略の犯罪をごまかそうとする者がいる」と語った。名指しは避けたが、日本を念頭に置いているのは明白だ。

We cannot overlook Wang’s remarks, as he ignored the fact that Japan had acknowledged its acts of aggression and expressed remorse and apology over its past conduct. We can also see that China intended to demean Japan.
　日本が侵略の事実を認め、反省と謝罪を表明してきた経緯を無視しており、看過できない。日本をおとしめる意図もうかがえる。

Oh Joon, South Korean Ambassador to the United Nations, said U.N. member countries need to be wary of the problems that can come from “attempts to disregard lessons of history.” His remarks are considered to be essentially in line with those of China.
　韓国の国連大使も「歴史の教訓を無視しようとする試み」への注意が必要だと呼びかけた。基本的に中国に同調したとみられる。

Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Motohide Yoshikawa emphasized that “Throughout its post-war history, Japan has, based on feelings of deep remorse regarding the Second World War ... walked the path of a peace-loving nation.” Yoshikawa also said, “The path we have taken so far as a peace-loving nation is the pride of Japanese people and it will never change.”
　これに対し、吉川元偉国連大使は「日本は戦後、大戦の深い反省に立ち、平和国家としての道を歩んできた」と強調した。その姿勢は「日本人の誇りであり、決して変わらない」とも言明した。

It was an appropriate assertion, made on the basis of the pacifist course Japan has followed for 70 years since the end of the war. Japan has made efforts to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the world and steadily won the trust of the international community. Japan has contributed a great deal of money to the United Nations and advocated the reform of the Security Council to strengthen its functions.
　この７０年間を踏まえた適切な主張だ。日本は、世界の平和と繁栄に寄与し、国際社会で信頼を着実に築いてきた。国連にも巨額の分担金を拠出し、その機能を強化する安保理改革を提唱している。

Rebut unjustified attacks

Japan should rebut unjustified criticism appropriately and in a level-headed manner. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said, “We will properly assert what we should assert.” It is quite reasonable for him to clarify Japan’s stance of intensifying its message to the international community.
　不当な批判には、的確かつ冷静に反論したい。菅官房長官が「主張すべき点はしっかり主張する」と述べ、対外発信を強める考えを示したのは当然だろう。

Wang also said that China, as a “victory country” in the “world anti-fascism war,” has supported the role of the United Nations and safeguarded peace and stability. With these words, he meant to tout China’s position of maintaining the postwar international order.
　王氏は、中国が「反ファシスト戦争」の「戦勝国」として、国連を支持し、平和と安定を守ってきたと述べた。戦後秩序を維持する姿勢をアピールしたものだ。

However, China has repeatedly been involved in armed conflicts in the postwar years with its neighboring countries, including India, the former Soviet Union and Vietnam. Even today, China is attempting to change the status quo by force, causing regional instability.
　だが、中国は戦後、インドや旧ソ連、ベトナムなど周辺国と武力衝突を繰り返してきた。現在も、力による現状変更を図り、地域を不安定化させている。

Typical examples are China increasing its effective control — with no basis in international law — over certain waters by building bases on top of reefs in the South China Sea, and by repeatedly entering Japanese territorial waters in the East China Sea.
　南シナ海の岩礁の基地化など、国際法上の根拠がない実効支配の拡大や、東シナ海での度重なる日本領海侵入が典型例である。

China considers the open debate as a prelude to its commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the end of the war and the foundation of the United Nations. It is expected to intensify its anti-Japan campaign internationally in the days ahead.
　中国は、今回の討論を７０年行事の「序幕」と位置づける。今後、国際的な反日宣伝を強めよう。

Conspicuously cooperating with China is Russia, a country that has been trying to unilaterally change the status quo in Ukraine.
　中国との協調姿勢が際立つのが、ウクライナで一方的な現状変更を試みているロシアだ。

Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Moscow in May to take part in the celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of Russia’s victory in the war over Germany, and Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Beijing in September to attend the celebrations commemorating victory in the war against Japan.
　５月の対ドイツ、９月の対日戦勝記念日に合わせ、習近平国家主席とプーチン大統領が、モスクワと北京を相互訪問する。

Can this series of developments undermine Japan’s national interests? It is important for Japan to keep a close watch on the cooperative moves between China and Russia, while pursuing strategic diplomacy with both countries.
　一連の動きが日本の国益を損なわないか。中露の連携を注視するとともに、双方に戦略的外交を展開することが重要である。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 25, 2015)