On January 4, 1955, the United States tendered ex gratia
the sum of $2 million to the Government of Japan for
purposes
of compensation for injuries and damages sustained as a result of
‘nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands in 1954. The Japanese
Cabinet decided to earmark 75 per cent as compensation to all
the components of the tuna industry; $108,000 was allocated to
the port city and the hospitals which had incurred costs in caring
for the affected fishermen; and $151,000 was divided between the
owner and crew of the Lucky Dragon, ‘the fishermen receiving an
average of about $5,500 each. Mr. Balos repeats a belief many
Marshallese seem to have--that the entire $2 million was divided
among 23 Japanese fishermen, whereas, only $0.9 million was divided
among 82 people who are friends and wards of the United States
and innocent victims.
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