JON C. sUGHER, MD MERRIL EISENBUD CONTAMINATION OF THE FUKURYU MARU AND ASSOCIATED FROBLEUS IN JAPAN: PRELDIMINARY R&PORT I have recorded some of the observations made during my visit to Japan to assist in the varicus problems arising out of the mishap to the Fukuryu Haru. I am sending this ci-ng to you at this time because you will no deubt want a preliminary report prior to my return to the states in about 2 seeks, This msmorandum is intended to augment the report that Dr. Morton will submit to you. I have attempted to linit myself to factors other than those 2sseciated with the clinical phases of the problem, with which Dr. Morton's group are concerned, THEINCIDENT The mishap which befell the Fukuryu Maru tecane known to the Embassy and the world on March 16 through reports in the Jxpanese presse This was two days after the 100-ton fishing vessel had ceturned to its hove port of Yaizu. The facts of the incident, as determined by the Japesese Forzign Office and ccormunicated (1) to the Arbassador, are as fellows: (1) The co urse of the vessel from its departure cn January 27 to its r= turn to fehau cn warch 1y is plotted in Figure No. 1. At 0412 hours on varch 1 @ s' >ak of light reported by the crew is believed to identify the Sine of Sstlnacion. and 1667 3h) cast. “The vessel's pesition was approxirately 11 S3it north this position is only a few miles from the easternmost limit of tha llarshall Islands danger area in effect at that time. (2) 0.9 > lests in succession were heard atcut 7 or 8 minutes after tre Jisht hed Lien seen. fhe crew is reported to have beocenme apprehensive and bzegan at that tine to haul in their fishing lises, an ecpzration which continued until 1030 hours, at which tine the vessel headed north "to get out of the areat, (3) shite. At es2ut 0700 on March 1, ashes kegan to fall, turning the deck The ogsition of the vessel at this tine is given at 11°563/u! north and 164° h23t east. The ashes kept fz2lling until noon at which tine the position of the vessel was estizated at 12° 14! north and 166° 531 east. (1) Aide Mernctre of March 27 Suck I fo t 33