On 23 March 1954 Dr. Tsuzuki was questioned before the Diet.
He was
guardedin his prognoses, but made the sensational statement that 10% to 15%
of the crew would die 4nd-if there were no deaths, it was due to the great
achievements of Japan's scientists.
When asked why he had released to the
-press only reports of the patients' improvement and good prognoses, he replied
it was the fear that he would cause’ the petients worry.
The press then
contacted Dr. Lewis of the American team for comuent on Dr. Tsuzuki's Diet
speech.
Dr. Lewis stated that he had no new information as to how Dr. Tsuzuki
reached a new conclusion that two to three patients would die.
This undoubtedly
. Was an error on Dr. Lewis! part, particularly since it meant bringing into the
open the smoldering antagonism between the Japanese and the Americans.
Very early in the relations between the American and Japanese teams, the
U. S. group stated that there was no known miracle drug to cure radiation
illness.
At first the Japanese were reluctant to believe this, but as it
became evident that this was true, their réluctance was replaced by resentment,
scorn and jeers voiced not only in private but to the world press services.
The American lack of a cure was the honest statement to which every
Japanese scientist at will could attach innuendo and fabrication and thus have
it accepted as truth.
The American team, counseled by a kind but firm Embassy,
refused contact with the press or radio.
This was in agreement with the
Japanese at a meeting on 25 March at which time it hed oveen decided that all
press announcements would come through a sub-committee of the ABIIC headed by
Dr. Kobayashi.
ichen the Japanese realized that the Americens would not answer
their attacks, but would repeatedly "turn the other cheek", responsible
Japanese scientists began making irresponsible statements.
JS DOE ARS H1IVES
eae
One could read