Advance notice of nuclear submarine's port visit may be ignored: U.S. Navy spokesman

As the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine Chicago's Sasebo visit without advance notice was causing the Japanese people's criticism, a U.S. Navy official hinted that the U.S. Navy may skip the prior notification rule before an nuclear submarines enters Japan's harbor.

The Pacific Star and Stripes on April 4 reported that James Graybeal, a spokesman for the Commander of the U.S. Naval Forces in Japan said, "Providing notification is a 'courtesy agreement' between the Navy and the Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and can be bypassed when operational factors warrant."

The rule agreed upon by Japan and the U.S. is that the U.S. must inform Japan of a U.S. vessel's entry into Japanese ports at least 24 hours in advance. But the remark made by a Navy lieutenant commander indicates that the U.S. government will never admit the USS Chicago's arrival in Sasebo was a breach of the bilateral agreement.

The U.S. Navy's excuse for Chicago's call at Sasebo without prior notice differs from what the Japanese government has explained. The Japanese government shows no intention to make clear the facts, and such a posture is the problem, Akahata on April 6 commented. (end)