Over 10,000 local residents rallied yesterday in protesting against the
deployment of a nuclear-powered US warship at the US navy base near Tokyo.
The protesters called for the Japanese government to stop the deployment of
the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in Yokosuka, 45 km southwest of
Tokyo.
The aircraft carrier was originally scheduled to be deployed to Yokosuka in
August, but following a fire on the ship in May, its arrival may be delayed. It
would be the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be stationed in Japan.
Local people are very concerned about the safety of the USS George Washington
after the fire.
At present some 50,000 US troops are stationed in Japan under the US-Japan
security alliance.
