The fight in Myanmar has been increasing in tension since October. Let us share a translation of an article on Tokyo Shimbun WEB.

10月から緊迫感を増しているミャンマー国内での戦い。東京新聞WEBの記事を、英訳と共に紹介します。

2023年12月3日

＜連載　ミャンマーの声＞

2021年2月にクーデターを起こした国軍に対抗し、民主派が樹立した「挙国一致政府（NUG）」のジンマーアウン外相が11月、日本を訪れた。NUGの閣僚で初の来日となった。国会議員や外務省関係者と接触し、記者会見や集会で、最近の民主派側の攻勢を受けて国軍は支配域を減らしていると主張した。クーデター後、最大の転換期といわれる中、民主主義の回復に向け日本に何を求めたのか。（北川成史）

＜Myanmar Voices>

In November, Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung of the National Union Government (NUG), which was formed by democratic factions to oppose the military junta that staged a coup in February 2021, visited Japan, the first NUG cabinet member to do so. He made contact with parliamentarians and foreign ministry officials and claimed at press conferences and rallies that the military regime is reducing the area it controls in response to the recent offensive by the pro-democracy side. At what is said to be the biggest turning point since the coup, what do they ask Japan to do to restore democracy? (Shigefumi KITAGAWA)

武装勢力とも連携して国軍と戦闘

Fighting the junta in cooperation with armed forces

「軍政は崩壊し始めている」。11月24日、東京都千代田区の日本外国特派員協会での会見でジンマーアウンは力を込めた。NUGはクーデターで政権を奪われたアウンサンスーチー率いる「国民民主連盟（NLD）」の議員らが正統な政府として樹立した。傘下の武装組織「国民防衛隊（PDF）」が少数民族武装勢力とも連携しながら、国軍と戦っている。

“The military regime is beginning to collapse.” Zin Mar Aung stressed at a press conference held on November 24 at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward. The NUG was established as a legitimate government by members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who lost power in a coup. Under their umbrella, the People’s Defence Force (PDF) is working with ethnic minority armed groups to fight the junta.

PDFや少数民族は10月下旬以降、地方で攻勢に出ている。ジンマーアウンによると、国軍は農村部での勢力圏が4割未満に落ち込み、都市部の支配も失い始めている。クーデター後、NUG側に投降した軍人や警察官は1万4000人に上るという。

The PDF and ethnic minorities have been on the offensive since late October. According to Zin Mar Aung, the junta’s influence in rural areas is now less than 40% and they have begun to lose control of urban areas as well. The total number of military and police officers who have surrendered to the NUG side since the coup is now estimated at 14,000.

NUGのジンマーアウン外相 / NUG Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung　

ジンマーアウンは11月21日、超党派「ミャンマーの民主化を支援する議員連盟」（中川正春会長）が国会内で開いた集会で、国会議員らを前にこう訴えた。

On November 21, Zin Mar Aung spoke to parliamentarians at a rally held in the National Assembly by the nonpartisan Parliamentarians United for Democracy in Myanmar, chaired by Masaharu Nakagawa.

「もっと明確な支援をしてくだされば、より早くミャンマー国民の苦難を終わりにできる」

 “If you give us more definite support, we can end the suffering of the Myanmar people more quickly.”

言葉の奥に日本のミャンマー外交への不満がにじむ。ジンマーアウンは「軍全体の破壊は考えていない。国際社会の効果的な圧力で、軍幹部から変革の動きが出るよう期待する」と表明した。効果的な圧力として、NUGとの外交関係の樹立と、国軍幹部や軍系企業への経済制裁を挙げた。

Behind these words, there was a hint of dissatisfaction with Japan’s diplomacy in Myanmar. Zin Mar Aung said, “We are not thinking of destroying the entire military. I hope that effective pressure from the international community will bring about change from the top ranks of the military.”  Cited was the establishment of diplomatic relations with the NUG and economic sanctions against the military leaders and military-affiliated companies.

しかし、日本はクーデター後、国会で非難決議をしたものの、欧米と違って国軍幹部などへの制裁をせず、既存の政府開発援助（ODA）事業を継続。NUGの正式承認もしていない。「決議には感謝しているが、それだけでは不十分だ」と指摘。外交政策を見直し、アジア諸国とも連携しながら、NUG承認を含め圧力を強めるよう促した。

Japan, however, unlike the U.S. and Europe, has not sanctioned the military leaders but has continued its Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs and has not officially approved the NUG, despite the Diet’s resolution condemning it after the coup. “The NUG is grateful for the resolution, but it is not enough.” Zin Mar Aung urged Japan to review its foreign policy, increase pressure against the military regime in cooperation with other Asian countries, and recognize the NUG.

切望される人道支援

Humanitarian assistance desperately needed

国連によると、10月下旬以降の戦闘激化で30万人超が家を離れ、国内避難民はそれ以前を含め約200万人と推計される。「国軍が関わらない形で、NUGに協力する組織を通じて人道支援を」と呼びかけた。

According to the UN, more than 300,000 people have fled their homes due to intensified fighting since late October, and the number of internally displaced persons is estimated at about 2 million, including those who were displaced before that time. Zin Mar Aung called for “humanitarian assistance through organizations cooperating with the NUG so that it does not involve the junta.”

12日間の滞在中、ジンマーアウンは外務省関係者とも会い、ODAや人道支援の在り方について意見を伝えたという。ただ、あくまで非公式の扱いだった。

During the 12-day stay, Zin Mar Aung also met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to share his views on ODA and the nature of humanitarian assistance. However, they were treated only informally.

「国軍とだけ対話するのは大きな間違い」

“It is a big mistake to have discussions only with the military regime”

一方、27日に面会した米国のエマニュエル駐日大使は、X（旧ツイッター）に「真に国民を代表する政府を支持する」と親NUGの投稿。日本政府とのスタンスの差を浮き彫りにした。

On the other hand, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Emanuel, who met with Zin Mar Aung on Nov 27, posted a pro-NUG message on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “I support a government that truly represents the people.” This highlighted the difference in stance between the Japanese and U.S. governments.

ジンマーアウンは非政府組織（NGO）関係者や研究者との会合も持った。会合を主宰した一橋大大学院の市原麻衣子教授（国際政治）は「訪日の意義は大きい」と語る。

Zin Mar Aung also held meetings with NGO officials and researchers. Professor Maiko Ichihara of Hitotsubashi University’s Graduate School of International Politics, who presided over the meeting, said, “The significance of this visit to Japan is great.”

ミャンマー国軍と戦闘を続ける民族武装勢力（The Kokang online、AP）

Ethnic armed groups continue to fight Myanmar’s National Army (Courtesy of The Kokang online, AP)

ガザやウクライナに目が向く中、ミャンマーの現状を伝え、関心を喚起した点を市原は評価する。そして「絶対多数のミャンマー国民が軍政に反対している。国軍支配が将来的に安定するとみて、国軍とだけ対話するのは大きな間違い」と、日本外交にくぎを刺す。

Ichihara commends the visit to Japan for conveying the current situation in Myanmar and arousing interest, while the focus of the world’s attention has turned to Gaza and Ukraine. She added, “The absolute majority of Myanmar citizens are opposed to the military rule. It would be a big mistake to engage in dialogue only with the military, believing that military rule will stabilize the country in the future.”

「NUGや少数民族とも対話しなくてはならない。その意味でジンマーアウンが外務省関係者と会ったのは重要だ」とし、日本政府に望む。「今後、非公式でもNUGとの関係の構築に本気になるよう期待する。東南アジア諸国連合（ASEAN）任せなどにせず、ミャンマー問題の解決に向け、外交を活発化してほしい」（文中敬称略）

“We must also talk with the NUG and ethnic minorities. In that sense, it is significant that Zin Mar Aung met with Foreign Ministry officials. I hope that Japan will be serious about building relations with the NUG, even if only informally. I hope that the Japanese government will not leave the matter to ASEAN and will instead step up its diplomatic efforts to resolve the Myanmar problem.”