Yokosuka residents march in demonstration against U.S. nuclear-powered warship entry

Japan Press Weekly

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

Yokosuka residents march in demonstration against U.S. nuclear-powered warship entry

Residents paraded through Yokosuka City on August 23 in protest against a port call by the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz at the U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base scheduled for August 24.

The participants marched in demonstration in central Yokosuka, chanting, "We do not need a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier here!"

At the rally held prior to the march, participants adopted an appeal which criticized the visit of the Nimitz as a step to turn the U.S. Yokosuka base into a permanent base for U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. "We should not allow the base to be further strengthened or allow the possibility of radiation-related accidents to be increased," it said.

The appeal also called for joint efforts to create a new wind of peace in solidarity of the world current illustrated by President Obama's speech calling for a nuclear weapons free world.

- Akahata, August 24, 2009