People seeking to block a nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier from being permanently based in Japan took their lawsuit to a high court Monday.
The latest move by the 248 plaintiffs follows the May 12 rejection by the Yokosuka branch of the Yokohama District Court of their lawsuit demanding a halt to harbor work to accommodate the USS George Washington, which is scheduled to be based at Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, from August.
The appeal filed with the Tokyo High Court points to a fire last Thursday aboard the warship as adding to jitters people have about nuclear power aboard the military vessel.
The George Washington — relieving the USS Kitty Hawk which is to be retired — will be the first U.S. Navy nuclear-powered vessel to be permanently based in Japan.