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2008 September 17 - 23 [US FORCES]

Okinawa legislature adopts unanimous resolution opposing U.S. nuclear submarines’ entry

The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly plenary session on September 17 adopted a unanimous statement that U.S. nuclear-powered submarines should not be allowed into any Okinawan ports unless their safety is established.

It was revealed recently that the U.S. nuclear-powered submarine Houston had leaked water contaminated with radioactivity at Japanese ports for two years, and that during this period, it entered the U.S. Naval Facility White Beach in Uruma City five times.

This year, U.S. nuclear-powered submarines have visited U.S. White Beach 28 times, already exceeding the number of last year.

The statement demands that the U.S. forces disclose information about the dates, details, and results of periodic inspections of all nuclear submarines, which have made calls at White Beach.

It also demands that the government thoroughly review the safety regime on nuclear submarines and prevent them from discharging their coolant waters in Japanese territorial waters.

The statement says, “In addition to anxieties about the threat of radioactive contamination, Okinawans are worried about the functions of White Beach being strengthened as an anchorage for U.S. nuclear submarines and about U.S. forces’ activities in waters surrounding Okinawa.”