ConairWINCLASSIFIED. Apprehension of Long Range Yontamination of Japan and its Fishing Grounds Japenese apprehensions over the posibility of long range radiologieel. contamination were very similar to those we en countered in the United States as a result of NPG operations. A difference in Japan is due to the fact thet none, if any, of the counting equipment is calibrated, Gi tubes are used without shields, and under conditions where the background count is apt to be highly variable. This, ccupled with the fact thet they do not know the background activities of such things as soil and biological materials, makes it very difficult to evaluate the reports. NMeny of the reports of "ash" falling in verious parts of Japan are undoubtedly dust or soot falls thet occur normally in any industrial crea from time to time. Reputable scientists have examined samples of potassium-rich soil and have reported their date is gross counts without any reference to normel soil background. For this reason I find it very difficult to take serious the frequent public report of 50 to 100 counts per minute for the unspecified size of samples reported from time to time, At my conference with the Japan scientists and government officials on March 24, I explained the procedures we use in the Stetes for measuring fallout. I urged them to use similar procedures for the sake of uniformity and offered to loan them the equipment we used, They secmed eager to accept and I requested 4 sets of equipment which has since arrived from the States, However, since the arrival of this equipment, I have deleyed giving it to the Jepanese because in their present state of mind little good could come of it. I do believe, however, that when the present confusion subsides, it will be useful for the Japanese to maintain a fallout monitoring network end I think we should cooperate with them to the fullest extent. In a conference with Dr. Kobayoshi on March 26, I informed him of my conversation withDr. Bugher and his offer in behalf of the Atomic Energy Commission to provide financial support for marine biclogical studies directed at the long range contamination of the Pacific, Dr. Kobeyoshi, through his interpretor, expressed his appreciation for this offer but did not pursue the matter further and has not approached me since. With regard to fallout on the Japanese isiends themselves, it is to be remembered that the position of those islands in relation to possible sites of weapons testing is such that the Russian testing program is ept to produce more fallout than events in the Marshalls or Nevada. Estimating the Whole Body Dose I doubt that it will be possible to make a satisfactory estimate of either the Beta or Gamma dose the fishermen received. We know that the ash fell in such quantities that the deck of the ship became white, and there was sufficient material to develop visible footprints. Unfortunately, this is the limit of our information on how much ash fell end how long it remained on the ship. The fishermen washed the decks in order to remove the ash and according to their reports their washing was effective. ‘hen the vessel arrived in Yaizu much of whet remained was removed. yt ‘ lINCI ASSIFIEN