JOHN C. BUGHER, WD MERRIL EISENBUD _ CONTAMINATION OF THE FUKURYU MARU AND ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS IN JAPAN: PRELIMINARY REPORT T Rave recorded some of the observations made during ny visit to Jepan to assist in the various problems arising cut of the aishap to the Fukuryu Maru. I am sending this ci-:ng to you at this time because you will no doubt want a preliminary report pricr to ay return to the states in about 2 weeks. ° ~ 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 thoge associated with the clinical phases of the problem, with which Dr. Morton's group ere concerned. oO THE_INCTDENT The aishap which befell the Fuluryu Maru became kmewn to the Embassy and the world on March 14 through reports in the Japanese press. This was two days after the l00-ton fishing vessel had returned to its homs port of Yaisu. The facts of the incident, as determined ty the Japansse Foreign Office and communicated (1) to the ambassador, are as follows: (1) The course of the vessel from its departure on January 27 to its re- turn to Yaizu on Marci lb is plotted in Figure No. 1. At Oll2 hours on March 1 a streak of ifght reported by the crew is believed to identify the time of detonation. The vessel's position was approximately 11° 534! north amd 166° 341 eeste This position is only « few miles from the easternzcst limit of tha Marshall Yhtands danger area in effect at that time. (2) Two blasts in*succession were heard about 7 ot 4 minutes after the light hed been seen. The crew is reported to have become apprehensive and began at that- time to haul in their fishing lines, an cperatioa which continued until 1090 hours, at which time the vessel headed north "to get out of the area", — (3) At about 0700 on March 1, ashee began to fall, turning the deck white. The pgsition of the vessel at this time is given at 11” 563/:'! north and 166° 24! east. ‘The ashes kept falling until noon at which tine the position of the vessel was estimated at 12° ibt north and 166° 53! east. (1) Aide Memoire of March 27 week / H- SF