岸田首相「自由と民主主義守る」　米大学院で講演

　【ワシントン時事】訪米中の岸田文雄首相は１３日、ワシントンのジョンズ・ホプキンズ大学院で「歴史の転換点における日本の決断」と題して講演した。ロシアのウクライナ侵攻で国際秩序が危機にさらされていると指摘。大国間の競争が激化する時代に入ったとして、「自由と民主主義を守るために日本は行動する」と表明した。
　首相は国家安全保障戦略など関連３文書の改定について「歴史上最も重要な決定の一つだ」と強調。防衛費の国内総生産（ＧＤＰ）比２％の確保や「反撃能力」の保有、サイバー分野の能力向上など、防衛力強化に向けた取り組みを紹介した。（2023/01/14-06:23）

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday underscored his country's commitment to the defense of freedom and democracy, in an address at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Washington.
   Noting that the international order is now in jeopardy due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he said that Japan will "take action to defend our freedom and democracy."
   "Due to the ongoing major shift in the balance of power across the globe, nations are now once again competing fiercely, and the world is now entering an era where we are witnessing a complex intertwining of cooperation and division," he said in the speech, entitled "Japan's Decision at History's Turning Point."
   The Japanese government's revision late last year of its three key national security documents is "one of the most historically critical milestones" for strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance, Kishida said, citing Japan's plans to increase its defense spending to 2 pct of the country's gross domestic product, acquire counterstrike capabilities and improve response capabilities in the field of cybersecurity.
   Kishida showed concern over China, saying that the country "has some visions and claims on the international order that...we can never accept." Japan should "say what needs to be said to China," he stated while stressing the need for Tokyo and Beijing to make efforts to build "a constructive and stable relationship."