COPY OF AIDE MEMOIRE GIVEN TO THE U.S. AMBASSADOR ALLISON BY THE VICE-MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, OKUMURA MARCH 27, 1954 The following data has been obtained as a result of investigations conducted by the Japanese Government with regard to the Fukuryu Maru No. 5. The course of the Fukuryu Maru No. 5, its movement and circumstances of the accident as described hereunder are conclusions drawn from (1) statements made by the vessel's skipper, fishing master and other members of the crew; (2) entries in the ship's log~book and fishing records and (3) meteorological conditions at the time of the accident as revealed from the investigation by the Central Meteorological Observatory. All dates and hours given here are Japan Standard Time. I. Stricken Vessel:- Name: Fukuryu Maru No. Type: Fishing boat, 99.9 tons Registration No.: SO 2-893 Owner's name and address: Kakuichi Nishikawa 13-724, Yaizu, Yaizu-shi Shizuoka Prefecture Skipper's name Hisakichi Tsutsui and address: II. 5 50, Ryoyashiki, Sakushima-Mura Hazu-Gun, Aichi Prefecture Number of crew: 23 persons Content and kind of cargo: Tuna and other fish Total 2,299.3 kan Course and Movement of the Fukuryu Maru No. 5:1. The Fukuryu Maru No. 5 left the port of Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, at 1130 hours on January 22 and headed south-eastward. On or about January 27, and from a position in the neighborhood of Lat. 27936'N. and Long. 148°937'E. it shifted its course eastward. It started fishing on February 3, at Lat. 26917 1/2'N. and Long. 171930'E. until February 12. Fishing operation was made several times Later, in order to fish in the neightborhood of the Marshall Islands, the vessel changed its course and, while fishing on the way, it reached on February 23, a position in the proximity of Lat. 11911.3'N. and Long. 173933'E. 2. After February 23, the vessel directed its course toward the west and engaged in fishing operations. On March 1, at approx- imately 0115 hours it arrived at the position of Lat. 12°03 1/2'N. and Long. 166°56 1/2'E. and started to set lines. 465 It completed