Over 40,000 signatures submitted in Yokosuka calling for referendum on U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's homeporting

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Over 40,000 signatures submitted in Yokosuka calling for referendum on U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's homeporting

In Yokosuka City in Kanagawa Prefecture on December 15, the Association for the Success of the Referendum on the Homeporting of a Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier submitted to the City Election Administration Commission a total of 41,551 signatures (about 12 percent of the eligible voters in the city) requesting the enactment of an ordinance to conduct the referendum. The signatures were collected in just a month beginning on November 10.

The number of signatures largely exceeded the minimum requirement of one fiftieth (about 7,200) of the eligible voters, needed to make such a direct claim to the city.

Goto Masahiko, a lawyer and co-representative of the association, said at the press conference, "The result of the signature-collection drive shows residents' deep concern over the planned deployment of the U.S. nuclear-powered carrier to Yokosuka and their strong support for a referendum by which the residents can take part in a decision that will affect the city's future."

If the Election Administration Commission confirms the validity of the direct claim, a bill on the referendum will be submitted to the City Assembly in February, 2007.

Concerning the situation in which the mayor and the majority of the assembly members favor the deployment plan, Goto said, "The mayor must take seriously the fact that many residents are not supporting the plan. We will further increase public opposition, and call on city assembly members to listen to residents."
- Akahata, December 16, 2006