Otaru union and peace activists protest against U.S. Navy ship port call

As the U.S. 7th Fleet aegis destroyer Curtis Wilbur entered Otaru Port in Hokkaido on June 27, about 350 members of trade unions and peace organizations held a rally in protest against the port call.

At the rally Umeda Kenzo, Hokkaido Trade Union Confederation vice-chair, stated, "47 U.S. naval ships have visited Otaru Port so far. I strongly protest against Otaru City Mayor Yamada Katsumaro who permitted the destroyer to enter the port. We must not allow Otaru Port to become a military port."

Hanaoka Yuriko, Japanese Communist Party member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly, said, "By allowing the U.S. destroyer to visit, Otaru Port may become a target in a U.S. war. The Hokkaido governor should reject requests for U.S. Navy ship visits from the viewpoint of local autonomy." (end)