Citizens demand ban on U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's passage through Yokosuka Port

Japan Press Weekly

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Citizens demand ban on U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's passage through Yokosuka Port

In a lawsuit demanding that the dredging of Yokosuka Port with the aim of enabling the entry of the U.S. aircraft carrier George Washington (GW) be disallowed, a group of residents is calling for banning the passage of the aircraft carrier through the port as well as for the port to be restored to the status that existed before it was dredged.

The Yokosuka residents filed the suit in protest against the GW's use of the U.S. Yokosuka Naval Base as its homeport from September 2008. They demanded an injunction against the dredging operation for the GW, but their demand was rejected by the district court and the high court.

The Tokyo High Court, however, ordered the Yokohama District Court to hold hearings to examine the residents' demand for the restoration of dredged port and a ban on aircraft carrier passage through the port.

During the first session of the district court hearing on April 14, lawyer Goto Masahiko on behalf of the plaintiffs pointed out that a ton of radioactive waste was shipped from the GW during its nuclear reactors' maintenance activities to the U.S. at the end of March and that a repair facility for the GW's nuclear reactors was built at the U.S. Yokosuka base.

He stated, "These recent events show that Yokosuka citizens are being exposed to the possible danger of nuclear accidents, with no necessary information being provided and no safety measures being taken."

"In Japan, it has been widely accepted that vehicle transportation causing noise and air pollution can be forbidden. Similarly, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's passage through Japan's waters that may cause radioactive pollution should be prohibited. Domestic laws must also be applied to U.S. vessels in Japan," Goto added.

- Akahata, April 15, 2009