U.S. Nuclear Submarine Leaves Japan

The U.S. nuclear-powered submarine Bremerton on Monday left the southwestern Japan port of Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture to an unknown destination, Japan's Kyodo News reported.

The 6,080-ton, 51 Los Angeles-class Bremerton left the port shortly after 2 p.m. (local time), it reported, quoting sources from local government.

Following the terrorist attacks on the United States, Japan's Foreign Ministry asked local governments not to publicly disclose the schedules of U.S. submarines.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. carrier Kitty Hawk, which returned after being away for nine days, once again left its home port in Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Both the submarine and the Kitty hawk are believed to be heading to prepare for the possible U.S. retaliation strikes over the terrorist attacks in Washington and New York.

The U.S. Navy on Sunday said the aircraft carrier had participated in operations, but declined to provide any details.

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