Yokosuka's JCP and citizens protest against assault by U.S. sailor

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Yokosuka's JCP and citizens protest against assault by U.S. sailor

Members of the Japanese Communist Party and democratic and peace organizations on January 9 visited the U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture to stage a protest against the assault on a citizen by a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington sailor on January 1.

The violence took place at midnight when the suspect, drunken, hit a citizen walking near the base site with his fist. The suspect, a petty officer, was arrested immediately.

Copies of a letter of protest were handed to the U.S. base official by representatives of the Kanagawa committee against the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's deployment to Yokosuka, the prefectural and local Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo), and the peace committee.

In the letter addressed to the U.S. President, Commander James D. Kelly of the U.S. Naval Forces, Japan, and the base commander, the peace organizations demanded that the U.S. take measures to prevent such crimes of violence and withdraw the deployment of the new carrier to Yokosuka.

The representatives also visited the Yokosuka City office to request Mayor Kabaya Ryoichi to take urgent measures regarding this case. They were appalled by the fact that the mayor did not even lodge a protest to the United States.

The suspect was handed over to the U.S. Navy in Japan on January 4, and is held on board the U.S. ship, according to a city official.

- Akahata, January 10, 2009