NUCLEAR TESTING

Press, Volume C, Issue 29609, 4 September 1961, Page 9

NUCLEAR TESTING

Concern In Japan (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) _ TOKYO, Sept. 1. The chief of Japan’s Science and Technical Agency 'Mr Takeo Miki) today told Cabinet members that Japan should consider a “ counterman" to meet the threat of nuclear tests by the Soviet Union. He said the effect of tests on Japan was thought to be so serious that some action should be taken to measure radio-active fall-out and protect the people from possible danger. All precision barometers at weather stations throughout Japan were today reported to be set .to catch any changes of air pressure that could be the result of a Soviet nuclear explosion. Scientists predicted that if the Soviet Union exploded a nuclear device, radio-active fallout riding on air currents would reach Japan within three to four days. Foreign Ministry officials said the Government was expected to send a protest Note to the Soviet Government today or tomorrow.

Major newspapers editorially criticised the Soviet Union for its decision. The "Japan Times,” an Englishlanguage daily, said: ”Jt appears to us that this latest announcement by Moscow is designed to so terrify the rest of the nations that they will acquiesce in whatever demands Moscow may make.”

The General Council of Japan Trade Unions, with a membership of more than three million, today sent a cable to the Soviet Government asking Mr Khrushchev to cancel his decision to resume nuclear tests.