12 Comments

• 

  noborito at 08:35 AM JST - 29th May

  what would that city be without the military. business would close, police would lose their jobs, and it would revert to something like inner china. I say, hey, you don't want them there, we'll find another place who wants the billions and billions of yen each year.

• 

  yabits at 08:41 AM JST - 29th May

  Goto also said, ‘‘The problem is that Japan has no authority to check the safety standards of the George Washington or the facilities to maintain it.’’

  As an American, I believe this is a very fair and reasonable concern. I would like to see the American authorities provide a way for Japan's authorities to reassure themselves of the safety standards of the reactors aboard the USS George Washington.

• 

  rtrhead1 at 08:45 AM JST - 29th May

  Okay. Fair enough. Once the Japanese learn how to safely and effectively run a nuclear reactor without coverups, lies, releases of radiation, and near meltdowns, we will gladly allow you a supervised visit onto our carrier...

• 

  Graywolf0813 at 09:21 AM JST - 29th May

  The Japanese people should not worry about the nuclear aircraft carrier George Washington ' Safety is always a concern when dealing with nuclear power and a freak accident aboard the ship is just minor ' I am sure the crew of the Washington will be more diligent when safety is a 24/7 job

• 

  USNinJapan2 at 09:56 AM JST - 29th May

  ‘‘The problem is that Japan has no authority to check the safety standards of the George Washington or the facilities to maintain it.’’

  That's right Counselor Goto, it's soverign US territory and will remain as such no matter how many signatures you collect.

  ‘‘The operation of nuclear plants is subject to control of the Japanese government...But it is very dangerous for a state to have a nuclear reactor out of its control within its soil,’’ Goto said.

  Yes, the operation of nuclear plants is subject to control of the Japanese government, and still the safety of nuclear facilities in Japan is absolutely dismal. What in the world would lead Goto to believe that having this same incompetent/ineffective authority oversee the USS George Washington's reactors would somehow improve or in any way ensure its already perfect safety record? Lack of reason comes to mind. How ironic that Goto and his group are protesting the very two nuclear reactors which, come August, will be the only ones in Japan safe from incompetent operators, shoddy maintenance, earhquakes, etc.

• 

  matada at 09:58 AM JST - 29th May

  ‘‘It is true that there have been no serious accidents like in Three Mile Island or Chernobyl. But the United States hides a number of incidents, which could have resulted in a major accident involving nuclear-powered military ships and submarines since the 1970s,’’ Goto said.

  This is not News! This is propaganda disguised as an offical statement based upon assumption of one persons opinion! When will JT published an UNBIASED article which has an ounce of journalistic integrity??????

• 

  Weasel at 10:32 AM JST - 29th May

  ‘‘It is true that there have been no serious accidents like in Three Mile Island or Chernobyl. But the United States hides a number of incidents, which could have resulted in a major accident involving nuclear-powered military ships and submarines since the 1970s,’’ Goto said.

  Keep in mind, when you point your finger at someone, three fingers are pointing right back at yourself.

• 

  Alphaape at 10:34 AM JST - 29th May

  I don't deny the right of Goto to lead a protest, but I think that his and many others are mis-directing the focus of their efforts. The USN here in Japan is working for the US government, and we are here because our govt. has a treaty with Japan. If they really have a problem with us here, then instead of making protest outside the base, how about going to Tokyo and protesting at the Diet. In the US, there have been seveal "marches on Washington" to protest everything from civil rights to policies of the US.

  The GW is soverign US territory, so there is nothing that Goto and his crew can do. Safety inspectors will not be allowed nowhere near the reactors. That is one of the issues now, before, SRF could have Japanese workers in the Kitty Hawk machinery spaces to work on the boilers. Now they can't do that with the GW, since to get into those spaces you will need security clearnaces and be a US citizen. So I doubt any of the Japanese inspectors they want to monitor safety will meet those qualifications.

  I seem to remember, that many local officails toured San Diego (at US taxpayers expense) to see what procedures are there since they have 2 (soon to be 3) nuclear carriers homeported there, and North Island Naval Station where they are docked faces downtown San Diego and many toursit attractions, as well as the Point Loma submarine base with the many nuclear subs that are there.

  Safety records for US nuclear vessels is good. They have had problems, but they have also acted swiftly to correct problems and unsafe practices when they arise.

• 

  Loki520 at 04:33 PM JST - 29th May

  "But the United States hides a number of incidents, which could have resulted in a major accident involving nuclear-powered military ships and submarines since the 1970s"

  Notice.... "COULD have resulted", NOT "did result" or "resulted in"...

  In other words, even though any "hidden" accidents COULD have resulted in an accident, they DID NOT.

  But.... anyone in the military, especially the USN, can tell you - it is damn near impossible to "hide" a casualty onboard a ship. There are MANDATORY reports throughout the entire chain of command, safety center and in the case of a carrier at sea - 5000+ people who are aware of it.

• 

  capone at 05:09 PM JST - 29th May

  to use the words 'japan' and 'nuclear safety standards' in the same breath is laughable

• 

  SuperLib at 07:48 PM JST - 29th May

  Well they have a right to ask about safety concerns and the US has a duty to talk to them about it. It's just kind of a common sense thing, I think. I'm sure it would be part of hundreds of issues that will be discussed over time.

  But what gets me is the media. People in Yokosuka are "bracing" for the arrival of the carrier. LOL. That's a very imaginative use of the word. How do people "brace" for something that has had no history of danger? I think they just made that up to sell papers.

• 

  VoXman at 10:37 PM JST - 29th May

  Once again these are truly NON-Yokosuka residents who come down here to start trouble. Paid in part by supporters of the of the JCP Japanese communist party and sypathizers. My wife and I have spoken to many of these so-called protestors and not one lived in the area. The local news was lit up like the fourth of July when it was announced that SRF Ship repair facility had received its final certification to repair and support a Nuclear carrier in port. The locals braced for that result and not this BS. And as foar as testing and safety goes the JGov sends inspectors monthly to take soil samples from the bearthing areas of Yokosuka base to make sure the reactors are not leaking material.

Register or login to add a comment!