Japan Press Weekly

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2009 February 11 - 17 [US FORCES]

Peace organizations protest against U.S. destroyer’s collision with private boat

Three peace groups in Kanagawa Prefecture on February 16 visited the U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base to protest against the previous day’s collision caused by the U.S. naval destroyer Lassen with a Japanese boat.

These organizations are the council against A and H Bombs, the Peace Committee, and the Miura Peninsula Liaison Committee against U.S. nuclear carrier deployment to Yokosuka.

At about 12:25 p.m., the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (9,215 tons) collided with the Sumomo II, a 34-foot, 14-ton boat with four people on board, near Yokosuka harbor.

There was no flooding and the boat was able to continue to self operate/navigate.

Warning that a single misstep could be a fatal incident, the protest note criticizes the U.S. Navy for lacking any sense of responsibility (in crossing the waters of Tokyo Bay as well as in dealing with the matter.)

The note demands that the U.S. Navy fully cooperate with the Japanese investigation team, make the facts of this case open, and take preventive measures.