17/04 〈世界から被災地へ〉ＡＲＩＧＡＴＯに感動 「トモダチ作戦」参加の米大佐

仙台空港近くの浜辺に木を並べて描かれた「ＡＲＩＧＡＴＯ」の文字＝在日米軍提供

　東日本大震災で米軍が展開した「トモダチ作戦」に参加したトス空軍大佐（沖縄県・嘉手納基地所属）が１５日、米ワシントンの記者団と電話で会見した。仙台空港上空を飛行中、浜辺で木を並べた「ＡＲＩＧＡＴＯ（アリガトウ）」の文字に気づき、日本人の感謝の心に感動したと振り返った。

　大佐は３月１６日早朝から仙台空港の復旧に自衛隊とともに着手。同２０日には輸送機が着陸できる状態まで復旧させた。

　「ＡＲＩＧＡＴＯ」を目にしたのは、任務終了間際の４月３日。米軍機で同空港に着陸しようとした際、長さ数メートルの木を滑走路近くの浜辺まで引きずっていく人が見えたという。文字は着陸時にしか見えない場所だったといい、大佐は「苦境にあって懸命に働いている人たちが、我々に感謝を伝えようと時間を割いてくれた。逆に日本人への感謝がこみ上げた」と語った。（ワシントン＝村山祐介）

22/04 東日本大震災：復興支援活動で米選手派遣へ…米五輪委会長

　米国オリンピック委員会のフローレンス・プロブスト会長が２２日、東京都内で会見し、東日本大震災の復興支援活動として、被災地に米国の選手を派遣する考えを示した。

　日本オリンピック委員会（ＪＯＣ）とのパートナーシップ協定再調印のため２１日に来日し、この日、東京都北区のナショナルトレーニングセンターを視察した。

　調印式後に会見したプロブスト会長は、選手の派遣について「準備はできている。若い人の力になるような活動をしたい」とした。また、「喜ばしいのは、東京が通常通り機能し、安全を感じたことだ」と強調。福島第１原発事故の影響などを理由に、日本で国際大会の中止や開催地変更が相次いでいることについて、「東京の環境はいいということを理解してほしい。（開催可否の）決定権者を招いて日本の現状を見てもらうべきだ」と述べた。【平本泰章】

• ＪＯＣ：石原知事４選を歓迎　五輪招致模索
• ＪＯＣ：エリートアカデミー入校式　中学生１２人加入
• ＪＯＣ：会長ら全理事が留任
• ＪＯＣ：竹田会長とＩＯＣ副会長　被災地支援で協力を確認
• 東日本大震災：小学校に選手派遣　日体協など

毎日新聞　2011年4月22日　18時37分

10/04 トモダチ作戦 日米同盟深化の重要な一歩だ（4月10日付・読売社説）

　米軍が東日本大震災で自衛隊と連携し、空前の規模の支援活動を実施している。日米同盟を深化させるための重要な一歩と高く評価したい。

　米軍の「トモダチ作戦」は、最大２万人を動員し、空港・港や学校などの復旧や救援物資の輸送を行っている。４月１～３日には、自衛隊などと共同で、東北３県沿岸部で行方不明者の集中捜索を実施し、７９人の遺体を収容した。

　米国は、同盟国の日本の各地に米軍を駐留させているとはいえ、災害時に日本を救援する条約上の義務があるわけではない。

　それでも、これだけ大規模な支援を実施しているのは、日米が長年かけて築いてきた信頼関係があってこそだろう。日本は、引き続き米国と緊密に連携し、様々な危機が同時並行で進む「複合事態」を乗り切らねばなるまい。

　米軍の活動は、防衛省、在日米軍司令部、仙台市の陸上自衛隊東北方面総監部の３か所で連日行われる自衛隊幹部との綿密な調整作業に基づき、実施されている。

　共同訓練や海外での共同活動の経験が、現在の円滑な日米協力を可能にしたと言える。

　福島第一原発事故の対応では、日米両国が放射性物質遮断、核燃料処理など複数の作業チームを設置した。放射能の検知識別や被曝
ひばく
者の除染を任務とする米海兵隊の専門部隊も来日している。

　米側は当初、日本側の情報提供が不十分との不満を示していた。だが、原子炉を冷却する海水の真水への切り替えは、米側が主張し、はしけ船を提供して実現したもので、連携は深まっている。

　米側が原発問題に真剣なのは、同盟国への支援に加え、自らの原発推進政策を堅持するうえで重要との判断がある。日米が、持てる知恵と装備と能力を最大限に活用し、対処する必要がある。

　日本にとって、東日本大震災はかつてない大きな試練だ。２００１年の米同時テロは米国の世界観を変えたとされるが、「３・１１」の衝撃と影響は、その「９・１１」をも上回るものだ。

　だが、この試練は、日米同盟をより強固にする機会でもある。米同時テロでは、日本が新法を作り、自衛艦をインド洋に派遣したことで、同盟関係が強化された。

　大型連休中に予定されていた閣僚級の日米安保協議委員会（２プラス２）は開催が不透明な状況にあるが、極力開くべきだ。今回の経験を将来の日米協力にどうつなげるかを議論したい。それが同盟を新たな段階へ導くだろう。

（2011年4月10日01時07分 読売新聞）

05/04 U.S. friends dig deep for isolated island / Cut off after the tsunami tore up its port, Oshima gets lifeline from Operation Tomodachi

Kentaro Nakajima and Koichi Nakamura / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer and Photographer

KESENNUMA, Miyagi--Restoration work on Oshima island, located off Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, has suffered significant setbacks because ships have struggled to dock at the island's completely devastated port.

However, life on the isolated island has begun to improve since the electricity supply has gradually been restored, thanks to the U.S. Navy's amphibious warfare ship USS Essex, which is capable of delivering heavy machinery and other items to shore even where there is no port.

The quake had raised the level of the seabed, preventing ships from entering or leaving the island's ports, which used to anchor the island's lifeline ferries to Kesennuma city.

A U.S. Marine Corps' landing craft utility, or LCU, played a major role in the island's restoration. The shallow-bottom craft carries large vehicles and can dock in shallow water.

A Yomiuri Shimbun reporter and a photographer joined U.S. marines on board the USS Essex on Sunday. The marines were on their way to Oshima to help with restoration work.

The activities were planned as of Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. military's humanitarian aid mission for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

A three-day intensive search for missing people by the Self-Defense Forces, Japan Coast Guard and U.S. military finished on Sunday. The operations, conducted in coastal areas in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, found a total of 79 bodies, including 12 bodies found by the SDF and one by the JCG on Sunday.

About 90 ships and about 130 airplanes were involved on the search mission's last day.

On Oshima island, a man cried while watching the muddy remains of his restaurant be demolished by heavy machinery. One hundred meters away, Takujiro Komatsu, 67, had run the sushi restaurant for 38 years. The restaurant had been carried to its present site by the tsunami.

The man operating the machine was a U.S. Marine Corps member. Other marines were clearing debris nearby.

Komatsu bowed his head to the U.S. marines, saying tearfully, "They searched through debris for my precious sushi tub."

At 4 a.m. Sunday, about 160 U.S. marines and Navy personnel approached Oshima island from the USS Essex. They were members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, a rapid-response force stationed in Okinawa Prefecture.

They gathered at the LCU docked inside the bowels of the Essex at 3 a.m. and loaded it with the goods needed for their one-week outdoor stay on the island, such as tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, clothes, water and food. Heavy machinery and relief supplies for islanders, including water, were piled high on the deck of the LCU.

===

Amphibious assist

The LCU left the USS Essex from its rear gate and continued to Oshima island, about 20 kilometers away.

About 100 U.S. personnel were squatting in small gaps between heavy machinery and aid supplies. There was little space to spare. They barely moved, huddling up to avoid the cold wind during the one hour trip to the island.

It had snowed on the island, and the ground was covered in half-frozen muddy water.

After the earthquake, the island of about 3,500 people became isolated, and hardly any relief aid arrived until recently.

After the earthquake, almost the entire island lost power. The LCU carried Tohoku Electric Power Co.'s power-supply vehicles to Oshima, restoring power to parts of the island from March 27.

The LCU also brought many heavy machines to the island, facilitating the clean-up.

Since Friday, 170 U.S. marines arrived at Oshima to clear debris at the four ports, and more personnel arrived Sunday. Military machinery is removing wrecked cars, while soldiers manually clear concrete and other debris.

===

'Ganbarimasho'

The devastated scene was overwhelming even to experienced Marines.

Cpl. Brian Arsenault, 22, said he has been trained to cope with all sorts of tragic situations, but what he saw was very different from what he had imagined.

Col. Andrew MacMannis, 49, said when he saw islanders waving as the marines worked, he was moved to know their help was appreciated.

The U.S. service members, many of whom can speak a bit of Japanese because they are stationed in Okinawa Prefecture, cheered up residents by saying, "Ganbarimasho" (Let's hang in there).

On March 11, USS Essex crew were at Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia after completing drills, enjoying their first holiday in a long time. They changed their schedule to head to Japan the day after the disaster.

Watching the scenes of destruction in Japan on TV, Chief Petty Officer Chris Tucker, 37, and his colleagues were determined to rush to the scene and begin rescuing victims, he recalled.

"Does anybody have candies for kids?" the public address system on the ship asked on March 30. Within an hour, a line of soldiers had filled a box with with candy.

"They didn't do it because of an order, but out of a desire to do something for friends," said SDF Master Sgt. Masanori Ide, who is stationed aboard the USS Essex as a senior officer of a Japan-U.S. bilateral coordination center.

Capt. David Fluker, USS Essex commanding officer, said the relationship between Japan and the United States had grown even stronger in the weeks since the quake.

(Apr. 5, 2011)

05/04 Sendai Airport a symbol of U.S. forces' cooperation in disaster recovery

Sendai Airport a symbol of U.S. forces' cooperation in disaster recovery

An aerial view of Sendai Airport from a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft on March 13. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force)

SENDAI -- Sendai Airport in Miyagi Prefecture, which was devastated by tsunami triggered by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake, has emerged as a symbol of U.S. forces' cooperation in disaster recovery efforts.

About 250 U.S. forces personnel are working to restore the airport, which serves as a hub for the transportation of relief supplies to the disaster zones, and personnel have dubbed the airport "Camp Sendai."

The U.S. Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Navy have set up numerous tents on the premises of the airport for their restoration work.

Col. Dwayne Lott, leader of a special unit at the U.S. Air Force's Kadena base, says the mission is one of the best examples of cooperation he has seen in his 22-year career. His unit flew to the Air Self-Defense Force Matsushima base in Miyagi Prefecture on a transportation plane from Yokota Air Base in Tokyo on March 16 -- only five days after the quake and tsunami ravaged northeastern Japan. Thirteen members later traveled to the airport in two multi-purpose vehicles.

When crewmembers of a reconnaissance plane observed Sendai Airport two days after the disaster, its runway and surrounding areas were filled with rubble, mud and hundreds of vehicles. Lott knew it would be a tough mission.

On March 16, his unit confirmed that a 1,500-meter section of the 3,000-meter runway was usable. Later in the day, an A130 transportation plane carrying various supplies and equipment landed at the airport.

About 150 members of the U.S. Marine Corps stationed in Shizuoka and Okinawa prefectures arrived at Sendai Airport on March 18.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. John Simpson explains U.S. forces' activity at "Camp Sendai." (Mainichi)

Capt. John Simpson, 39, estimated it would take three weeks to reopen the runway because it was covered with rubble, hundreds of vehicles, and mud as thick as 60 centimeters.

However, the restoration work sped up shortly afterwards. U.S. forces prioritized work to clean up the runway and it was fully reopened by March 28, allowing large C17 transport planes to land there. After completing a temporary air traffic control tower, U.S. forces handed over air traffic controlling work to Japanese authorities on March 31.

"It was a miracle," says Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Makoto Kasamatsu, 46. "The roles were divided between us, with Self-Defense Forces (SDF) troops being dispatched to areas where evacuees were taking shelter. We worked in close cooperation with each other. It was an ideal operation under the Japan-U.S. security arrangement."

Maj. Neal Fisher, 39, underscored the significance of U.S. forces stationed in Japan. He said the forces were prepared to quickly respond to the disaster, while it took four days before U.S. forces was dispatched to Haiti after it was hit by a major quake in 2010.

The focus of the "Camp Sendai" servicemen's activity has now shifted from restoration of the airport to removing rubble from quake- and tsunami-hit areas.

While removing rubble from an elementary school in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, 2nd Lt. Breanne Hapken said he firmly believes Japanese people will overcome the disaster.

Click here for the original Japanese story

(Mainichi Japan) April 5, 2011

東日本大震災：仙台空港、米協力の象徴に　特殊部隊ら活動

３月１３日に米空軍特殊部隊が偵察機から見下ろした仙台空港＝米空軍提供

「キャンプ・センダイ」の作戦本部テント内で活動状況を説明する海兵隊のシンプソン大尉＝高橋宗男撮影
　東日本大震災で大津波に襲われ、壊滅的な被害を受けた仙台空港（宮城県名取市）で、在日米軍による復旧作業が進んでいる。同空港は救援物資輸送のハブとなる戦略拠点。海兵隊、陸軍、空軍、海軍のテントが林立し、作業にあたる約２５０人の米兵はここを「キャンプ・センダイ」と呼び、米軍協力のシンボルとなっている。【高橋宗男】

　「２２年間の軍人生活でも、ベストな連携を図れた作戦の一つ」。ドウェイン・ロット大佐（４５）は言い切る。米軍が沖縄県の米空軍嘉手納基地から投入した３５３特殊部隊を指揮する。同部隊は戦時の機動部隊だ。

　特殊部隊が東京・米軍横田基地から特殊作戦用輸送機で航空自衛隊松島基地に乗り込んだのは大震災発生から５日後の３月１６日早朝。隊員１３人が高機動多目的装輪車２台に分乗して現地入りし、３週間近くになる。

　空軍特殊部隊の任務はもともと敵地に乗り込んで迅速な拠点整備をすること。アフガニスタンやイラクなど戦闘地での作戦のほか、０４年のスマトラ沖大地震によるインド洋大津波でインドネシアにも出動した。

　大震災２日後の３月１３日。事前調査で飛んだ偵察機から見下ろした仙台空港はがれきと汚泥、数百台の車両で埋め尽くされていた。ロット大佐は「難儀な仕事になる」と覚悟したという。１６日、３０００メートル滑走路のうち約１５００メートルが使用できることを確認。その日のうちに物資や機材を積んだ輸送機Ｃ１３０の第１便が着陸した。

　１８日には静岡や沖縄の海兵隊約１５０人が到着。戦闘兵站（へいたん）連隊のジョン・シンプソン大尉（３９）には「復旧まで３週間は必要」に見えた。がれきや車両数百台が散乱、最大厚さ約６０センチの汚泥に覆い尽くされていたからだ。だが、復旧は一気に加速化した。滑走路の全面確保を最優先させ、１０日後の２８日までに全長で使用可能になった。大型輸送機Ｃ１７も到着。非常管制塔の運用開始とともに交通航空管制業務も３１日に当局へ引き渡せた。

　「ミラクルです」。現地で調整に当たる陸上自衛隊の笠松誠・１佐（４６）は言う。「自衛隊は被災者の近くに行くべきだと、役割を分担した。大きな連携がうまくできた。日米安保を絵に描いたような作戦」と説明した。

　在日米軍司令部のニール・フィッシャー海兵隊少佐（３９）も「ハイチ大地震（１０年）では準備に４日かかった。だが今回はすぐにリクエストに応えられる態勢が整った」と米軍が日本に駐留する意義を強調する。

　「キャンプ・センダイ」の米兵らは各地のがれき撤去などに力点を移しつつある。同連隊のブリアンヌ・ハプキン少尉（２８）は１日、宮城県石巻市立湊小学校での作業中、「日本の人たちは必ずこの苦難を乗り越えるだろう」と話した。

05/04 空母「ロナルド・レーガン」任務終え東北離れる

　【ワシントン＝黒瀬悦成】米海軍太平洋艦隊の当局者は４日、東日本大震災の救援物資輸送や捜索活動などを展開していた米原子力空母「ロナルド・レーガン」が一連の任務を終え、随伴の護衛艦艇２隻と共に東北沿岸を離れたことを明らかにした。


　これにより、米軍が展開中の支援「ＴＯＭＯＤＡＣＨＩ（トモダチ）作戦」の重点は今後、捜索・救助から東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の放射能漏れ事故への対処に本格移行する。

　同当局者は、「ロナルド・レーガンを含む３隻は現在、日本近海にあり、震災前に計画していた任務の準備を進めている」と語った。

（2011年4月5日17時12分 読売新聞）

04/04 U.S. Navy a good 'tomodachi' / Ship springs into action right after quake, crew works tirelessly

Akiko Yoshinaga and Tsuyoshi Takasawa / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers

At 4:59 p.m. Tuesday, the stern gate of the USS Tortuga--a dock landing ship of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet--opened slowly 10 kilometers off Miyako, Iwate Prefecture. About 25 minutes later, a 40-meter landing craft utility boat (LCU) docked inside the 185-meter-long vessel.

About 30 divers and other personnel were aboard the LCU, a vessel that transports soldiers and vehicles during emergencies. The divers had just spent about four hours mapping wrecked cars and concrete buildings that were destroyed and sent to the bottom of Miyako Bay by the March 11 tsunami.

Divers and crew from the Tortuga have been removing debris and wreckage from the sea bottom so Hachinohe Port in Aomori Prefecture could reopen to large ships.

The vessel left Sasebo Naval Base in Nagasaki Prefecture just four hours after the earthquake hit on March 11.

Six days later, it took on about 280 Self-Defense Forces personnel and 100 vehicles at Tomakomai Port in Hokkaido and transported them to Ominato Port in Aomori Prefecture, shuttling them onshore via the LCU. The divers then went to work helping reopen Hachinohe Port.

Adrian Ragland, commander of the Tortuga, said seeing the first tanker carrying liquefied natural gas enter the port was very moving. Although their job was not directly related to saving lives, Ragland, 38, said he felt they were helping deepen ties between Japan and the United States.

===

Helping a friend

The U.S. Navy is playing a key role in providing humanitarian aid for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami as part of "Operation Tomodachi." In addition to the Tortuga, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and several assault ships are working in close cooperation with the Self-Defense Forces along the Tohoku region's Pacific coast.

At 2 a.m. Wednesday, Ensign Veronica Kennedy entered the Tortuga's bridge, which sits about 20 meters above the waves. The 22-year-old engineer was on night duty until 7 a.m.

Before her shift, Kennedy had slept for about three hours. Since the ship left Sasebo on March 11, she has slept about four hours a night. But she is used to it now and said the lack of sleep is worth it because of the importance of the mission.

Watching TV reports about the disaster on the ship on the afternoon of March 11, Kennedy said she could not believe her eyes. Looking at towns and villages devastated by the massive earthquake and tsunami, she felt like she was watching a movie.

The ship's loudspeakers soon blared, "All senior officers gather on deck immediately! This is not a drill, gather immediately!"

Because it was a Friday, most of the crew was not on board, but word was sent out and the ship left for the disaster-hit areas just four hours after the call.

Kennedy said Japan is as important to her as her home country and she wants to contribute to its reconstruction.

===

Ever vigilant

At 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, an MH-53 helicopter landed on the Tortuga's rear deck, an area as large as six tennis courts.

The relief personnel that arrived on the 40-minute flight from Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture were immediately tested for radiation.

The ship's living quarters are separated from the outside by two sealed steel doors to prevent chemical, biological or radioactive contamination from entering. The air pressure inside the ship is also kept higher than the outside to keep radioactive substances out.

At 9:55 p.m. that evening, five minutes before lights-out, Lt. Madson Carter spoke over the ship's loudspeakers, leading a prayer for Japan.

While serving as a public relations officer, the 32-year-old chaplain also provides emotional support for the crew. He said he prays for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami every night.

Many family members of U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan have left the country due to fears about radiation leaks from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant. But Carter's wife and three children have said they are not leaving and will wait for him back at Sasebo.

Carter said he truly believes Japan will recover from this terrible tragedy.

(Apr. 4, 2011)

03/04 米揚陸艦に記者同乗、放射線量厳しくチェック

エセックスに帰艦した兵士たちに念入りに行われる被爆テスト（気仙沼東方沖約２４キロで）＝中村光一撮影

　東日本大震災を受けて米軍が展開中の被災地支援「ＴＯＭＯＤＡＣＨＩ（トモダチ）作戦」に参加している米海軍強襲揚陸艦「エセックス」に２日、本紙記者が同乗した。沖縄の第３１海兵遠征部隊の隊員ら約２０００人が、宮城・岩手県沖の同艦を拠点に宮城県気仙沼市周辺でがれき除去などに取り組んでいる。

　同作戦で米軍は２日午後３時現在、陸海空と海兵隊の４軍で総勢約１万６０００人が支援にあたっている。エセックスに乗艦し、気仙沼市で飲料水などの物資を被災者に配った海兵隊員のエバン・シールズさんは「想像していたよりひどい状況だったけど、皆さんに喜んでもらえているのがわかった。日本人の助けになれてうれしい」と語った。

　艦内では、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所事故に伴う放射能汚染の防止に、隊員らが神経をとがらせていた。交代要員らが陸上からヘリで到着すると、全員が手と足の放射線量を線量計で調べられる。

（2011年4月3日14時02分 読売新聞）

03/04 「不測の事態」にも対応、米の放射能専門部隊

　東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故を受け、米政府が日本に派遣した「米海兵隊放射能等対処専門部隊」（ＣＢＩＲＦ、シーバーフ）の初動対応部隊第１陣が２日午前、来日した。

　放射能被害管理に精通した同部隊は、自衛隊による住民の除染や医療活動を情報提供などの形で支援すると同時に、大規模な放射能漏れなど原発の「不測の事態」に備える。

　第１陣の１０人余りは、米メリーランド州から米軍輸送機で東京・米空軍横田基地に到着した。第２陣は３日、第３陣は４日に来日する見込みで、派遣規模は総勢１５５人に上る予定だ。

　来日しているのは、命令から２４～４８時間以内に展開して緊急事態に対処する、ＣＢＩＲＦの二つの初動対応部隊の一つだ。極めて危険なレベルの放射能の「検知識別」、汚染地域からの被災者の「捜索搬出」、被曝
ひばく
者らの「除染」など６班を持つ。横田基地の「統合支援部隊（ＪＳＦ）」の指揮下で関東地方の在日米軍基地を拠点に活動する。

（2011年4月2日18時04分 読売新聞）

02/04 Obama lauds Japanese courage in letter to emperor

2011/04/02

U.S. President Barack Obama signs a condolence book at the Japanese Embassy in Washington on March 17. (Toshihiko Ogata)

U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter to Emperor Akihito, extending his sympathy to victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11 and expressing admiration for the "courage" of the Japanese people, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo said Thursday.

In the letter, dated March 24, Obama expressed "the deep sympathy felt by all Americans for the suffering of the Japanese people."

"The devastation and loss of life caused by the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami was heartbreaking," he said, adding "our prayers are with you in this time of grief."

After the devastation and loss of life, Obama said he was confident that "Japan will rebound from this tragedy even stronger than before and set an example for other nations through your resilience."

Obama also said the United States will continue to support the people.

"As the people of Japan recover and rebuild, the United States will stand steadfast by your side as a friend, partner, and ally."

He also wrote that he was moved by the courage of the Japanese.

"I speak for all Americans in expressing admiration for the courage, strength and determination with which the people of Japan are responding to this crisis," the letter said.

31/03 米軍放射能専門部隊、１４０人を日本派遣へ

　日米両政府は３１日、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故を受け、米軍の放射能被害管理の専門部隊「ＣＢＩＲＦ」の初動対処部隊約１４０人を近く日本に派遣させることで合意した。

　日本政府としては、核実験や核兵器製造施設の解体などで豊富な知見を持つ米軍の協力を得て、事故の早期沈静化につなげたい考えだ。

　日本政府関係者によると、東日本巨大地震に伴う米軍の支援活動「ＴＯＭＯＤＡＣＨＩ（トモダチ）作戦」を束ねるウォルシュ米海軍太平洋艦隊司令官が２６日に自衛隊トップの折木良一統合幕僚長と会談した際、派遣に向けた最終調整に入ることを確認したという。

（2011年3月31日16時42分 読売新聞）