U.S. warship enters Himeji Port despite protest

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U.S. warship enters Himeji Port despite protest

The USS Aegis destroyer John S. McCain faced a protest staged by 200 citizens when it entered Himeji Port in Hyogo Prefecture on August 24.

Aoki Keisuke, representative of a citizens' group opposing the U.S. warship's entry, said, "This is the third U.S. warship to enter Himeji Port. It seems to be aiming at making local citizens get used to warships' entries. Once they are allowed to enter this port, it will pave the way for such ships to enter any of Japan's ports. We must raise more voices against this."

At a press conference held inside the vessel, asked if the ship is carrying nuclear weapons or not, Commander Thomas G. Halvorson said that he is not in a position to explain the specifics of the ship. He also expressed the desire to enter Kobe Port in the future.

This port call took place as part of the U.S. military realignment and strengthening of the functions of U.S. bases, and is said to be aiming at putting pressure on Kobe City, also in Hyogo, to relinquish its Nuclear-Free Kobe Formula that requires all foreign vessels to submit a certificate to prove that they are not carrying nuclear weapons before they enter Kobe Port.
- Akahata, August 25, 2006