Japan to Stop Notifying US Navy Ship Captains' Names and Crew Numbers
Quick Look
Japan's government revealed on May 10 that US nuclear-powered vessels docking in Japanese ports will no longer have their captain's name or crew numbers reported, citing security concerns.
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Why It Matters
The Japanese government and local authorities in Sasebo revealed on May 10 that the US military will no longer notify them of the names of captains or the number of personnel on board nuclear-powered vessels docking in Japanese ports. This change in procedure is attributed to security considerations.
日本政府10日透露，未來美軍核動力艦艇停靠日本港口時，將不再通報艦長姓名及官兵人數。圖為美軍核潛艦明尼蘇達號。（路透資料照）
〔即時新聞／綜合報導〕日本外務省、長崎縣佐世保市政府10日透露，未來美軍核動力艦艇停靠日本港口時，將不再向日方通報艦長姓名及官兵人數。
共同社報導，美軍過去均會提供相關資訊，此次則向日方說明，調整作法是「基於安全保障考量」。日本外務省已將相關訊息通知停泊地政府，包括長崎縣佐世保市、神奈川縣橫須賀市及沖繩縣。
外務省日美地位協定室證實，美國海軍核動力潛艦「明尼蘇達號」（USS Minnesota）本月6日停靠佐世保時，美方事前通報內容已不再包含過去慣例提供的艦長姓名及艦上官兵人數。
外務省隨後向美方詢問原因，美方於9日回覆稱，此舉是基於安全保障因素所做的調整。
報導指出，美國1964年曾發布聲明，規定核動力艦艇停靠日本港口時，應向當地政府提供預定抵達時間、停泊位置等資訊；不過，聲明內容並未要求通報艦長姓名及官兵人數。
Open Questions
- What specific security threats necessitate this change in notification?
- Will this change affect other types of US military vessels or other allied nations' vessels?
- What is the precise nature of the 'security considerations' cited by the US?
- Are there any reciprocal changes in US notification policies for Japanese vessels?
