U.S. naval vessel to call at Himeji Port to undermine 'non-nuclear Kobe formula'

Hyogo Prefecture's Peace Committee has learned that the U.S. Seventh Fleet's missile frigate ship Vincennes is scheduled to stay at Himeji Port from August 27-31.

Akahata on August 18 reported that the planned entry is apparently to challenge the prefecture's policy of asking all ships entering its ports to present certificates showing that they do not carry nuclear weapons. This system is called the non-nuclear Kobe formula, under which no U.S. military vessel has entered the prefecture's ports since it came into effect in 1975.

It is reported that the Vincennes' port call will be for "rest and supply." However, U.S. naval ships will also visit Nagoya Port in Aichi Prefecture and Shimotsu Port in Wakayama Prefecture almost simultaneously. Obviously, these U.S. ship movements are designed to pave the way for U.S. war ships to be allowed to use Japan's ports at any time for military purposes as part of the implementation of the New Guidelines for Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation.

Himeji City has declared itself nuclear-free and stood up for the Three Non-nuclear Principles (not to manufacture, possess, or allow nuclear weapons to be brought into Japan).

Since the New Guidelines-related laws were enacted in 1999, the U.S. became particularly antagonistic towards the non-nuclear "Kobe formula" because U.S. vessels, which do not produce certificates that they do not carry nuclear weapons, are denied port entry.

Now, the Hyogo prefectural government, which has control over ports, holds the key to the issue.

The Japanese Communist Party, trade unions, and peace organizations called on the prefecture to block the Vincennes' entry. The Vincennes is carrying depleted uranium shells which are internationally denounced. (end)