As Rough As It May Seem,It's Still Steady As You Go...
YOKOSUKA, Japan: Slogan-shouting protesters lined the harbor and flag-waving supporters crowded the dock as the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier George Washington arrived at its new home port south of Tokyo on Thursday.
The giant warship's arrival, delayed by a fire aboard the ship in May, brought out hundreds of supporters and demonstrators, though the two groups were kept well apart and no clashes were reported.
The George Washington, which can carry a crew of 5,600 and 70 aircraft, will become the U.S. Navy's only carrier with a home port outside the United States. The carrier Kitty Hawk, which it replaces, is to be decommissioned.
The demonstrators say the ship poses a threat to Tokyo because of the possibility of an accident in its nuclear reactor. They also are opposed to the increase in sailors who will be deployed to Yokosuka as a result of the ship swap, and say the carrier could make Yokosuka a target if hostilities break out between the United States and another country.
"We should not have a nuclear reactor, surrounded by ammunition and highly flammable jet fuel, located right outside of our most populated city," said Masahiko Goto, a local lawyer who has led protests against the ship.
But Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter said the deployment of the ship demonstrates the U.S. commitment to its alliance with Japan and to the U.S. 7th Fleet, which is based here.
"The 7th Fleet serves to defend Japan and deter war throughout the region," Winter said in a welcoming ceremony with brass bands, hot dogs and baby-kissing. "By providing one of our newest and most capable carriers, the George Washington, to the 7th Fleet, we are demonstrating our commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance."
The new Japanese foreign minister, Hirofumi Nakasone, also welcomed the carrier, but noted the Japanese concerns over a nuclear accident.
"We will continue to do all we can to assure that it is safe," Nakasone said.
The U.S. Navy says that the George Washington will give the 7th Fleet greater range and better striking capabilities. Along with the 7th Fleet, the largest in the Navy with about 60 ships and 20,000 sailors, there are about 50,000 U.S. troops deployed throughout Japan under a mutual security pact.
The Kitty Hawk was conventionally powered, and the deployment of the George Washington has raised concerns among antinuclear groups, who say it should not be based so close to Tokyo, which is about 45 kilometers, or 30 miles, to the north.
Such concerns were heightened when the U.S. Navy disclosed in early August that the Houston, a nuclear submarine, had leaked water containing radiation during several calls to Sasebo and Okinawa, in southern Japan, and Yokosuka between July 2006 and April 2008. A navy investigation found the leak posed no danger to Japan.
Concerns over safety were also raised after a fire broke out aboard the George Washington in May. The fire, which is believed to have been caused by smoking in an unauthorized area, resulted in dozens of injuries and an estimated $70 million in damage.
Japanese constitution mocked by America not true. Japan needs to defend itself along with helping it's allies for the greater humanitarian purpose.
This video below talks about Japans role to fuel ships in the Indian Ocean a bit. Any issues relating to joint ventures with other countries seem to be upsetting to some. This is because of the Japanese constitution and because of the Nuclear powered carrier. The Kitty Hawk was not nuclear powered.
Don't bring your ships into port but we'll do that else where (refueling) . Just how many natural gas carrying ships come in and and out of Japanese ports. Oh that's liquid natural gas. It's not nuclear munitions or other explosives like aircraft fuel, etc. Right.
Japan has an agreement in place since 1995 with America
supposedly because of past tension with Taiwan. Japan knows that the Middle East is also an important part to keep stable. The Navy has to get to the Middle East quickly when called upon.
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