Japanese Protests Against Nuclear Warship
Around 13,000 Japanese protestors gathered over the weekend of July 12th/13th to campaign against the full-time deployment of the nuclear-powered USS George Washington, highlighting how - due to a recent fire - the vessel was not safe.
The gathering took place in a park close to Yokosuka, the port which is to house the ship.
Nuclear Warship
Taking over from the USS Kittyhawk, the USS George Washington will represent the first warship to run on nuclear power to have been deployed in the country on a full-time basis.
It was originally scheduled to arrive in Japan in August, but the fire - which occurred two months ago - pushed this scheduling back.
USS George Washington Lawsuit
While the deployment had sparked concern by itself, the fire served to stoke fears among many Japanese citizens. As Armed Forces International recently reported, around 250 Yokosuka residents have now added their names to a lawsuit in an attempt to prevent the move.
Hiroshima, Nagasaki Bombings
Japan's legacy in being the sole country to have experienced a nuclear attack means that sensitivity is high when it comes to nuclear issues and the military. When Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed at the tail end of World War Two, around 200,000 lost their lives.
Nuclear Reactor
According to the US Navy, the Washington's nuclear reactor was never in danger of being affected by the fire onboard the aircraft carrier, which injured one crew member and left 23 more suffering heat-related stress.
This disclosure was, though, dismissed as an incomplete one by some in Japan.
"The U.S. military has not fully disclosed the cause [of the carrier's fire]", lawyer Masahiko Goto was quoted as having said by news agency Kyodo.
"Japan should not allow a deployment when serious safety concerns remain", he added.
Source - Armed Forces International's Far East Correspondent
Recent related News Items:
Lead Story -
Japanese Lawsuit over Nuclear-Powered US Warship
US Military in Japan -
15 Months in Jail for US Marine in Sexual Assault Case
US Marine Sentenced for Sexual Misconduct
US Marine Hadnott Charged, Discharged from Military
US Marines Face Court-Martial over Hiroshima Rape Case
Japanese Military -
Japanese Warship in First Chinese Visit Since WW2
Japan Passes Military Space Law
Japan Trials Missile Defence System for Tokyo
Japan Carries Out Ballistic Missile Shoot-Down Test
