Japanese protest arrival of U.S. nuclear carrier

YOKOSUKA, Japan — The nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier USS George Washington arrived today at its new home port just south of Tokyo, welcomed by a mix of cheering crowds and protesters.

The George Washington, which can carry a crew of up to 5,600 and 70 aircraft, will replace the conventionally powered USS Kitty Hawk as the U.S. Navy's only carrier with a home port outside of the United States.

The demonstrators say the ship poses a threat to the city because of the possibility of an accident in its nuclear reactor. Nuclear technology is a sensitive subject in the only nation ever attacked with atomic weapons.

Such concerns were heightened when the U.S. Navy disclosed in August that the USS Houston, a submarine, had leaked water containing radiation during calls to Sasebo, Okinawa and Yokosuka between July 2006 and last April.

Other concerns are the increase in sailors who will be deployed to Yokosuka and worries the carrier could make Yokosuka a target if hostilities break out between the United States and another country.

"We are here to show our strong opposition to the deployment of the George Washington," said Kenji Hatano, a local assembly member. "We cannot accept this."

Along with the 7th Fleet, about 50,000 U.S. troops are deployed throughout Japan under a mutual security pact.