scrapes OaSING SESRE 3, The diet interpellitions and resolution came after a period of weeks during whicl: tne pacific tests drew only a low key and sporadic interestand comment along the loines of initial reaction to the announcement as it is reported in reftel, The press gave particular play on January 20 and 21 to reports from Washington quoting Japanese Embassy official as stating Japan reserving the right to seek compensation if the tests had contaminated or damaged their fishing grounds. Mainichi the only major paper to comment editorially. Mainichi on January 20 protested to the tests by all countries and stressed the right of Japon to protest since it was the only nation to have suffered by the atomic attack, Stronger criticism voiced by left wing circules, with commie front groups most vociferous. Commie sponsored the Japan council for prohibition of A and H-Bombs has announced plans to circulate a petition against the Pacific tests, The Japan science council revealed on January 25 that it had received a letter from the British Nuclear Physicist C. R. Powell, Chairman Executive Council World Federation Scienti~ fic Workers, calling on Japanese scientists to cooperate in effort to warn world of "Perils that confront it if course of unrestricted production and testing nuclear weapons followed". The JSC intends to discuss the Powell letter at the annual meeting to be held in April, 4, However, in the past week as the diet debate is in progress, several foreign office officials that are handling this problem have expressed considerable concern over possible repercussions from the tests and in particular warned that the U.S, should not be misled by comparatively mild initial press reaction to announcement of this year's tests. American desk officer believes that fishin, interests will cause particular difficulties, He anticipates tnat the fishermen will demand compensation for the time and expense required to detour around the test area and possibly also for exclusion from fishing in test area. Reaction will be heightened, in his view, by reoccurrence of problem of "Radioactive tuna". -For this reason, he suggested informally that the U.S, and Japanese scientists agree prior to tests on reasonable standard of radiation. 5. In addttion to the above signes of future difficulties from diet and foreign office, we souuld assume that international communism will try to produce deliberately some incident which Will cause as much havoc as accident of fortunate dragon did in 1954, Hence it is desirable to be prepared for prompt counter action, in collaboration with the Japanese if possible, 6. Even if such dramativ event fails materialize, evident evident that serious problems lie ahead, particularly in the view of the fact that conservatives and socialists that are I believe the best way to minimize united behind diet resolution, with the Japanese consultation advance to is these problems tangible divicends paid already has This feasible. wherever nuclear bombs while and announcement, test in case of timing remain highly sensitive subject here peaceful atoms collabora- tion has done much to accustom the Japanese to General idea of teamwork in nuclear matters. Advance consultation appreciated as token our concern with the Japanese feelings and interests, and can be a means of inducing constructive initiative on Japanese | side in the place of defensive helplessness which has been usual response of JG to public atincks on nuclear matters. - 9 - Qe Api sa. BOERNE it Enclosure V