Sasebo citizens are enraged by surprise port call by U.S. nuclear sub

Citizens and peace organizations in Sasebo City in Nagasaki Prefecture are outraged at the entry into Sasebo Port of the U.S. Forces' attack nuclear submarine without advance notice.

On April 2, the U.S. Forces had the USS Chicago enter the port without any advance notice in violation of its stated promise to Japan for a 24-hour advance notice. This was the first such port call in breach of the promise.

The U.S. Forces tried to explain it away by saying that it was due to a technical mistake in communication.

The Sasebo Council against A and H Bombs and the Sasebo Peace Committee spared no time in organizing a protest action and making representations to the city government, calling for the city to stand firm against the outrageous sneak of entry.

"The U.S. Forces seem to not have any consideration for public safety," the protesters said.

The mayor of the city, which houses the U.S. naval base, Mitsutake Akira, also issued a written statement in protest on the same day.

In the statement, he pointed to the city's request to the Japanese government, which was made after the incident of the Ehimemaru off Hawaii, asking the government to urge the U.S. to abide by the 24 hour advance notice rule.

He also expressed concern that it will be difficult for him, as the mayor of a U.S. base city, to get citizens' understanding on national defense and the Japan-U.S. Safety Treaty system. The city will request the government to provide a reasonable and convincing explanation, the mayor stated. (end)