Japan Press Weekly

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2008 November 19 - 25 [US FORCES]

U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington again faces protest

The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington on November 21 again faced a protest staged by local peace and democratic organizations when it reentered the U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Putting up banners and placards that read, “Go home! Yokosuka is not a nuclear base,” about 50 protesters voiced their opposition, and visited the U.S. Yokosuka base to make representations.

The letter of protest stated, “Not only Yokosuka citizens, but also many residents of Tokyo, its surrounding cities, as well as people all over Japan ‘do not welcome’ the deployment of the George Washington at the Yokosuka base. The government of Japan should seriously consider this fact.”

Hayasaka Yoshiro, secretary general of the Central Action Committee against the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty (Anpo-Haki) said, “The U.S. military realignment plan is underway to turn Japan into a country that wages wars together with the U.S. Making Yokosuka the homeport for the George Washington at this time confirms that direction.”

The Japanese Communist Party’s prospective candidates for the House of Representatives, Hatano Kimie, Kasaki Takashi, and Ito Masako also participated in the protest action.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was deployed to Yokosuka on September 25, and until recently, it had taken part in Japan-U.S. joint military exercises in the sea off Okinawa.