Japanese Official Learns of Possible US Nuclear Sub Leak from ...
Posted by : jjJapanese Official Learns of Possible US Nuclear Sub Leak from ...
television Japan's foreign minister criticized his subordinates Saturday afterthey failed to notify him for nearly a full day about a potentialradioactive leak aboard a nuclear powered U.S. Navy submarine.
Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura says he learned about the leakfrom television news reports.
U.S. defense officials revealed Friday that a leak was found on thenuclear-powered submarine Houston after it recently cruised throughthe Pacific. During the trip, the Houston made stops in Japan, Guamand Hawaii.
Komura says ministry officials did not inform him when theyreceived word from the Pentagon because the leak posed no greatrisk. But he says his subordinates should have told him sooner sohe could have made an announcement.
The delay may be an embarrassment to the government of PrimeMinister Yasuo Fukuda, coming on the same day he had made changesto his government because of declining public support.
Officials say the amount of radioactivity or radioactive water thatcould have leaked through a faulty valve would almost be too smallto detect.
Relations between the Japanese public and the U.S. military havebeen strained in recent months by incidents of misbehaviorinvolving U.S. servicemen.
More than 10,000 people demonstrated last month against a U.S. planto base a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the city of Yokosuka.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
VOA News
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