Japan to press U.S. on port call notification

[unhappycamper]

Japan to press U.S. on port call notification
Kyodo via The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Nov 14, 2008 7:25:03 EST

YOKOSUKA, Japan — A council formed by four one-time navy ports in Japan decided Friday to ask the U.S. military via the Foreign Ministry to make sure it notifies the Japanese side before any U.S. nuclear-powered vessels make port calls in the country.

The move came after an unannounced port call by a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine in Okinawa Prefecture on Monday drew protests from both the national and local governments.

Under a bilateral agreement, the United States is supposed to notify local governments via the ministry of any port calls by such vessels at least 24 hours in advance.

The council, headed by Ryoichi Kabaya, the mayor of Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, said it will request that U.S. forces not repeat such an occurrence so that local residents can be assured of safety and feel at ease.

”The importance of this prior notification system has grown, partially because of the revelation of radioactive leakage from a U.S. nuclear submarine,” Sasebo Mayor Norio Tomonaga said in a news conference in Yokosuka. ”I want (the U.S. forces) to adhere to the rules.”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/11/kyo_portcalls_111408/%2e