JAPAN: JAPANESE REACTION TO U.S. BOMB TEST

Record ID: 358331

  • Title: JAPAN: JAPANESE REACTION TO U.S. BOMB TEST
  • Date: 28th April 1962
  • Summary: 1. GV FISH MARKET. 0.06 2. CU FISH (2 SHOTS). 0.11 3. LV MEN WITH GEIGER-COUNTERS TESTING FISH. 0.13 4. SCU DITTO. (FIVE SHOTS). 0.32 5. LV MEN WALK PAST FISH. 0.36 6. LV U.S. EMBASSY. 0.39 7. LV CROWD RUNS TOWARDS EMBASSY. 0.43 8. SV EMBASSY. 0.46 9. SV POLICE. 0.49 10. SV CROWD. 0.54 11.
  • Embargoed: 13th May 1962 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • Country: Japan
  • Reuters ID: LVA8TU362RUCUB2KP6IUJLN6F4A
  • Story Text: JAPANESE REACTION TO AMERICA'S NUCLEAR BOMB TEST IN THE PACIFIC - APRIL 25 - RANGED FROM DISAPPOINTMENT TO ANGER. SIX-HUNDRED STUDENTS, MEMBERS OF THE JAPAN FEDERATION OF STUDENTS' SELF-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION (ZENGAKUREN), MARCHED IN POURING RAIN TO THE U.S. EMBASSY APRIL 26 IN A MASSIVE PROTEST DEMONSTRATION.

    THE STUDENTS, KNOWN FOR THEIR TENDENCIES TO VIOLENCE, WERE MET 200 YARDS FROM THE EMBASSY GATE BY A WALL OF RAINCOATED POLICE. IN A SERIES OF RUSHES, POLICE DROVE THE STUDENTS BACK DOWN THE STREET AND FORCED THEM TO KEEP MOVING.

    DEMONSTRATORS FROM THE JAPAN COUNCIL AGAINST HYDROGEN AND ATOMIC BOMBS (GENSUIKYO) WERE PERMITTED TO MARCH TO THE EMBASSY GATES, WHERE THEY CHANTED "STOP TESTING BOMBS". SIX BUDDHIST PRIESTS IN SAFFRON ROBES, BEAT DRUMS IN ACCOMPANIMENT TO THE CROWD'S CHANTING.

    THE EMBASSY RECEIVED PETITIONS AND PROTESTS FROM SEVERAL ORGANISATIONS, AND ITS CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, WILLIAM LEONHART, WAS SUMMONED TO THE FOREIGN OFFICE TO RECEIVE A STIFF NOTE OF PROTEST FROM THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.

    AT TOKYO FISHMARKETS, MINISTRY OF HEALTH OFFICIALS STARTED USING SCINTILLATION COUNTERS THAT DAY TO INSPECT TUNA CATCHES BROUGHT IN FROM PACIFIC WATERS. THE DAY'S FISH WERE CAUGHT BEFORE THE TEST EXPLOSION AND WILL NOT HAVE RADIATION EFFECTS, BUT THE OFFICIALS WANTED THE READINGS AS A BASIS OF COMPARISON WITH FUTURE CATCHES.
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