Sunday May 27, 2012

13,000 rally against U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's permanent deployment

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  • 0

    rjd_jr

    Great for them, this is yet proof that people in Japan DO engage in activism, have been for a long time. Regardless of how you feel about their stance, right or wrong (undoubtedly dead wrong for most of you), they have every right to express their opinions.

  • 0

    JeromeInJapan

    After what happened with the A bomb I don't blame them. However I don't think the fire would have been serious enough yo cause an explosion. Nothing will happen of it however the carrier WILL be stationed in Yokosuka.

  • 0

    serindipity

    This seems odd in a country that uses nuclear power. Are they protesting against the ship or the Americans in general?

  • 0

    bamboohat

    I know mitsubishi makes lots of money by making nuclear power plants to sell to other countries. So I don't think they're against nuke energy in principle. I think its a combination of NIMBY (not in my back yard) combined with anti US military (nuke droppers) IMO.

    It'll be refreshing to see so many people protest against something completely homegrown.

  • 0

    some14some

    These protesters should be more concerned about the operations of Nuclear Power Plants rather than nuclear-powered aircraft. Are they protesting against the ship or the Americans in general?

    Except foreign money they dislike/protest about 'foreigners' in general not only Americans.

  • 0

    Alphaape

    A bomb and nuclear power are two different beasts. Nuclear reactors onboard Navy vessels are not designed to go "boom" like a bomb. They can have problems and leak radiation, just like the reactors that are in use in Japan, but the record of safety is higher than the civilian average. There have not been a rash of deformities in children or increased cancer risks in people that live in Norfolk, San Diego, Bremerton, Puget Sound, Alameda, and other locations where nuclear powered vessels are home ported.

    I am glad to see that the people are protesting though, at least we know there is some type of democracy left in Nippon. However, I guess with even in the US, the people were given the real facts about what they are protesting, and understand the real issues, and not some sound bites given to them to fire up their emotions on the wrong issue.

    I would suggest that they march on Tokyo, the Imperial Palace, the Diet, and the Self Defence agency and voice their concerns, since they hold the key to wheter the US actually stays or leaves Japan. After all, in the SOFA agreement between the two nations, it does say that Japan has the right to ask us to leave. And as has been in various locations around the world, when host nations have asked us to leave (when we assisted with down sizing ourself) like Holy Loch, Scotland, the PI, Taiwan and other locations in Japan, we have left. I know it is not that simple and it will take time for this to happen, but protesting the "workers" here who can't make the real decisions does not seem to really go to the heart of the matter. Protest against those who wield the real power and decision making ability.

  • 0

    Nippon5

    Protesting is wonderful as a way to express oneself... But most of these Japanese protestors dont even understand what they protest (just like the TEE shirts they buy with dumb sayings) they just want to do it.

    I feel that the US military should pull out of Japan and allow Japan to mature into a full country. But I talk to all the Japanese people I know in Tokyo and I would say most 90% or more dont want the American military to leave, so it most likely wont happen anytime soon.I know when

    I served here in the militarty most of the personel wanted us to leave as they didnt want to be 5k miles from their families.

    The Navy has the best saftey record of all Nuclear systems in use, and as said is considered safer then Japanese Nuclear power plants...

  • 0

    MeanRingo

    Geez I thought it was just one of the summer festivals. Brought the kids out. Now I see why there were no greasy wieners on sticks or snowcone thingys. Oh well. Down with submarines. Down with nuclear power. Down with the American war machine.

  • 0

    OssanULTRA

    Fact is that these people, those protesting, suing, or otherwise would like to see the US Military leave Japan immediately are a minority. If they were a majority, the Japanese government would not be able to contine workig with the US as they do for their defense. And yes, as usual, the anti's are misguided on the facts of the issue (nuclear reactors are not nuclear bombs), just as anti's of any subject are very often misinformed.

  • 0

    wanderlust

    Falsified X-Rays of welding, a bucket of uranium fluoride exceeding critical mass, deleted videos of plant maintenance, lack of regular maintenance, cover of of faults and repairs, poor construction, poor operation, and the locals still succumb to local funding and grants (aka bribes) for their own nuclear plants...

    The residents of areas near the J-plants have little choice but to take the money and keep quiet, as fishing and agriculture have declined, young folks have moved away, it's really all that they have left now, esp. with the massive pension fraud and loss of savings.

  • 0

    MeanRingo

    "just as anti's of any subject are very often misinformed." Ha ha haaaa. Just like those those anti-Bush opposers right?

  • 0

    japanyesterday

    i would have asked a few questions if i was able to speak to these protesters.

    1. if the US military left, would u volunteer your or your kids services in your country's self defense force?

    2. why are you protesting? if answer is "carrier have fire, kowaii!!" then the next question would be "how much do you know about about japan's nuclear program?"

    3.

  • 0

    kjunluc2

    ****They used to pay protesters a piddling, most of which went in the nearest bar. The protests never changed anything.

  • 0

    kjunluc2

    ****The half life of plutonium (?have forgotten isotope number) is 144 thousand years. Imagine a bad leak with wind blowing in the right direction. If any life survived in Japan and Korea it would be cockroaches deeply embedded in the earth. As I see it, it doesn't make much difference. The powers-that-be, which are running this world are gonna wipes us all out soon, anyway. It won't be from a carrier power source. They're safer than any nuclear plant.

  • 0

    Triple888

    That ship is probably there because of "North Korea". But in actual fact it's there for something much much bigger.

  • 0

    faroukbax

    It would seem that 13,000 people have been sadly misled by the organizers of this protest. The Kitty Hawk with a conventional power plant was OK, but the George Washington with a nuclear power plant is NOT. Does the word "nuclear" put the scare in these protesters? Were they also informed that there are 54 operating nuclear plants throughout Japan where some very serious nuclear related safety incidents have occurred over the years - many of which were covered-up by the authorities? If these 13,000 want to get a positive result for their efforts they should perhaps protest for greater transparency and openness in Japan's own nuclear power program.

  • 0

    Taka313

    I went passed the protest yesterday. It was pretty big but as far as protests go, not too impressive.
    As I walked through Verny park, there was an old guy singing enka, a lot of people milling about and one really funny guy who had made a cardboard ship with a little fire on it. His ship kept falling apart and he was beside himself. I was so tempted to tell him to run with the falling apart thing and just replace USS George Washington with Tokaimura.
    Suprisingly enough, I was able to refrain. Had a lot to do yesterday.

    Taka

  • 0

    Taka313

    Also...here's what I don't get. Why protest in Yokosuka? Let's just say for argument's sake that the new CNFJ admiral (I forget his name) decided he agreed with them and that the U.S. Navy should, in fact, pull out of Japan. What can he do about it? ZERO.

    13,000 people and not one of them thought of protesting at the Diet or at the Prime Minister's office?

    Being a politician in Japan has got to be a pretty good gig.

    Taka

  • 0

    usaexpat

    Our nuclear powered ships are safer than Japanese nuclear power plants so sleep tight all.

  • 0

    teaabe

    may be another country should build bases on u.s. soil. or send a warship to dock off at port in one of the states. babel fell btw.

  • 0

    USARonin

    "Nuclear powered?" Heh, heh...

    -You think we're gonna go to all that trouble and expense and that thing's not gonna be laden down with nuclear warheads that can be quickly affixed to conventional artillery rounds, aircraft ordnance, et al?

    Bonby, BeeTee... At Pearl Harbor we have where World War II/"the Pacific War" began and ended for America. The USS Missouri is berthed a few meters from the USS Arizona... the beginnin' and the end.

    US & Japan... the ties that bind.

    USAR

  • 0

    taikan

    As the article clearly states, the Japanese people generally are opposed to the use of nuclear power for military purposes. That is why, at a time when the US and Russians use nuclear-powered submarines, all Japanese submarines are still powered by diesel engines. Except on the most superficial level, there is no inconsistency between opposing the use of nuclear power for military purposes and approving the use of nuclear power for other purposes, such as generation of electricity.

    Historically, the US military has been sensitive to the concerns of the Japanese people in this regard, and has not stationed nuclear-powered ships in Japan. However, all US aircraft carriers now are nuclear-powered vessels. Therefore, the Japanese government either had to allow a nuclear-powered carrior to berth in Japan, or do without any US aircraft carrier in Japan. Obviously, they chose the former alternative.

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