日本與美國談論武器輸出

Recently the NHK News reported the following:

菅総理大臣は、北澤防衛大臣が見直しを目指す考えを示した「武器輸出３原則」について、１２日夜、記者団に対し「基本的な考え方を変えるつもりはない」と述べました。
外国への武器の輸出などを禁じている「武器輸出３原則」をめぐっては、北澤防衛大臣が１１日、訪問先のベトナムでアメリカのゲーツ国防長官と会談した際に見直しを目指す考えを伝え、仙谷官房長官も１２日、現時点で基本的な考え方は変えていないものの、今後、見直すべきかどうかの議論は必要だという認識を示しました。これについて菅総理大臣は１２日夜、総理大臣官邸で記者団に対し「武器輸出３原則の基本的な考え方を変えるつもりはない」と述べました。そのうえで、記者団が「北澤防衛大臣の発言は勇み足だという理解か」と質問したのに対し、菅総理大臣は「直接、まだ話を聞いていない。従来からこの問題はいろいろなレベルの話があり、基本的な考え方については、今申し上げた通りだ」と述べました.

(試譯文)

Prime Minister Kan described to reporters about showing the idea to Minister of Defense Kitazawa that aimed at reviewing "Three Principles on Arms Export", had said on the night of the 12th that "There will be no change to the basic idea".
It was said that Minister of Defense Kitazawa showed the idea that aimed at reviewing the "Three Principles on Arms Export" that prohibited the export of arms to the foreign country when he on the 11th conferred with Secretary of Defense Gates of the United States who was paying a visit to Vietnam, and on the 12th the Chief Cabinet Secretary Tani also showed recognition that a discussion would be needed whenever reviewing it again in future although at this moment there was no change to the basic idea. On the night of 12th, Prime Minister Kan described to reporters about this in the Prime Minister official residence saying that "There will be no change in the basic idea of Three Principles on Arms Export". During that period reporters asked the Prime Minister Kan, enquiring that "Is there an understanding that Minister of Defense Kitazawa's remark is an overstepping?" Prime Minister Kan replied that "The story has not been heard directly yet. As in the past, for this problem there is a story at different levels, and as for the basic thinking it is as what I have said now."

It is not sure that whether there is a communication problem between Japan's Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense. But to discuss exporting weapons is an interesting development in Japan, my wild guess is that probably it may have some connection with the recent diplomatic conflict between China and Japan.