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Japanese Protesters Greet US Nuke Ship

Huge carrier arrives near Tokyo amid radiation fears

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 25, 2008 6:02 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Japanese protesters greeted a nuclear-powered American warship at its new home port near Tokyo today, Reuters reports. The USS George Washington drew criticism after reports last month than a US submarine had leaked radioactive material at Japanese ports for 2 years —underscoring the tense relationship between Japanese citizens and the American military, especially on nuclear technology.

Taro Aso, who became Japan's prime minister yesterday, welcomed the new warship as especially important amid heightening tensions with North Korea. But many Japanese are skeptical of the US military, especially given the legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. One 70-year-old housewife at the demonstration said, "I can't help but think about radiation damages, so that's why I just can't accept this."

Protesters shout a slogan against USS George Washington at Kannonzaki, near Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Thursday morning , Sept. 25, 2008.
Protesters shout a slogan against USS George Washington at Kannonzaki, near Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Thursday morning , Sept. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Members of a students' organization shout slogans in a protest rally on a street in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, during the arrival of the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier USS George Washington.
Members of a students' organization shout slogans in a protest rally on a street in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, during the arrival of the nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier USS George Washington.   (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Members of Zengakuren, a leftist students' organization, march in a protest rally on a street in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, during the arrival of the USS George Washington Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008.
Members of Zengakuren, a leftist students' organization, march in a protest rally on a street in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, during the arrival of the USS George Washington Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Protesters demonstrate in front of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force's vessel as the USS George Washington, unseen, arrives at its new home port of Yokosuka, near Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008.
Protesters demonstrate in front of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force's vessel as the USS George Washington, unseen, arrives at its new home port of Yokosuka, near Tokyo, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
A line of riot police guard a main gate of US naval base during the arrival of aircraft carrier USS George Washington at Yokosuka naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008.
A line of riot police guard a main gate of US naval base during the arrival of aircraft carrier USS George Washington at Yokosuka naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa)
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington form the phrase Hajimemashite, which means nice to meet you in Japanese, as they arrive at Yokosuka, Japan Thursday Sept. 25, 2008.
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington form the phrase "Hajimemashite," which means "nice to meet you" in Japanese, as they arrive at Yokosuka, Japan Thursday Sept. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo)
US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer and USS George Washington's captain Co. John Haley, left, salute upon the ship's arrival at Yokosuka naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008.
US Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer and USS George Washington's captain Co. John Haley, left, salute upon the ship's arrival at Yokosuka naval base in Yokosuka, Japan, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa)
Protesters shout against US Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington at Kannonzaki, near Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Thursday morning , Sept. 25, 2008.
Protesters shout against US Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington at Kannonzaki, near Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, Thursday morning , Sept. 25, 2008.   (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
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US ambassador welcomes new warship
US Embassy, Japan

Giant carrier can carry 5,600 personnel, 70 airplanes
AFP

 
nuclear power • Japan • US military • nuclear • radioactive • Taro Aso • US Navy • USS George Washington

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