Japan Press Weekly

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2016 September 28 - October 4 [US FORCES]

Rally held to oppose homeporting of US N-powered carrier in Yokosuka

A rally to oppose the homeporting of a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier took place in Yokosuka City in Kanagawa Prefecture on October 2, marking one year since the USS Ronald Reagan was deployed to Yokosuka Port in replacement of the previous warship.

About 2,000 people expressed determination to further develop their struggles to block the permanent use of Yokosuka Port as a homeport for U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

The mayors of the surrounding three cities of Ayase, Yamato and Sagamihara, in addition to the speaker of the Hayama Town Assembly, sent a message of support to the rally. Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Tamura Tomoko, a JCP vice chair, and JCP member of the House of Representatives Hatano Kimie took part in the rally.

Tamura appeared on the stage and pointed out that the central government does not even bother to find out how the USS Ronald Reagan will react in the event of a major earthquake and tsunami. She went on to say, “We won’t let the Ronald Reagan stay in Yokosuka!”

A 29-year-old man who participated in the rally with his co-worker said, “I don’t want my hometown Yokosuka to be a staging point for U.S. wars. I want to express my objection to the ongoing attempt to use Yokosuka Port as a homeport for U.S. nuclear-powered carriers.”

Past related articles:
> Prepare for expanded overseas missions: PM Abe at SDF ceremony [October 17 & 19, 2015]
> Yokosuka citizens protest against arrival of US nuclear aircraft carrier [October 2, 2015]
> Goodbye forever USS George Washington! Don’t come here, USS Ronald Reagan[May 19, 2015]