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ENCLOSURE
UNITED STATES
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
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April -9, 1954 -"
MEMORANDUM
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TO
:
John C, Bugher, MD.
FROM
:
Merril Eisenbud
SUBJECT:
-
,
CONTAMINATION OF THE FUKURYU MARU AND ASSOCIATED
PROBLEMS IN JAPAN: PRELIMINARY REPORT
°
I have recorded some of the observations made during my
visit to Japan to assist in the various problems arising out
of the mishap to the Fukuryu Maru. I am sending this along to”
you at this time because you will no doubt want a preliminary
report prior to my return to the States in about 2 weeks.
.
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This memorandum is intended to augment the report that
Dr, Morton will submit to you. I have attempted to limit myself
to factors other than those associated with the clinical phases
of the problem, with which Dr, Morton's groupare concerned,
‘
.
DHE INCIDENT
The mishap which befell the Fukuryu Maru became known to -
tie Embassy and the world on March 16 through reports in the
Japanese press, This was two days after the 100-ton fishing ~
vessel had returned to its home port of Yaizu. The facts of the.
ineident, as determined by the Japanese Foreign Office and com-
ianicated (1) to the Ambassador, are as follows:
(1) The course of the vessel from its departure on January 27 to its return to Yaizu on March 14 is plotted in Figure
No, 1, At 0412 hours on March 1 a streak of light reported by
the crew is believed to identify the time of detonation,
The
vessel's position was approximately 11° 53-1/4%! north and 166°.
34-1/4' east. Tnis position Is only a few miles from the easternmost limit of the Marshall Islands danger area in effect at that
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cime.
(1) Aide Memoire of March 27.
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