U.S. Navy is carrying out maintenance of N-powered carrier at Yokosuka

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

U.S. Navy is carrying out maintenance of N-powered carrier at Yokosuka

The U.S. Navy in Japan confirmed that it is now carrying out maintenance work on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George Washington at Yokosuka Naval Base.

The Kanagawa Prefectural Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs on February 5 issued a protest statement, demanding that the maintenance work be stopped.

The Public Affairs Office of the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan on February 5 communicated to Akahata that “the maintenance period started in January.” The office did not specify how long the maintenance will continue, but stated, “such availabilities last a matter of months.”

The U.S. Navy said that the maintenance procedure of the nuclear reactor “is never accomplished in Japan”, and that the “USS George Washington completed comprehensive maintenance prior to forward deployment, which will provide for several years of forward deployment.”

This is the second maintenance procedure of the USS George Washington at Yokosuka. In the same period of 2009, nuclear reactor maintenance took place, and about one ton of low-level radioactive waste was transported to the U.S.

- Akahata, February 6, 2010