</s>104-10064-10012- 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 - DISPATCH CLASSIFICATION MOCESSING ACTION MAPPED FOR RECORING TO Chief Soy Bloc Div. Chief, Far East Division X NO MOCKING REQUIRED NO MOCING REQURED Chief, WOMUSE/ICG ONLY QUALIFIED DESK CAN JUDGE HOCKING FROM Chief of Station, Tokyo/ MICROFLM SUBSCRIBE RHYBAT MIPASHA REDTOP - Beheiren and the Four U.S. Navy Deserters ACTION REQUIRED - REFERENCES TOKYO 7263 As noted in reference, forwarded herewith is a copy of the sub- ject memorandum. Please note that the information in the memorandum Paragraph B. 4. b) is particularly sensitive and should only be given properly restricted dissemination. Mark J. LIDGERWOOL ATTACHMENT Memo dtd. 27 Nov 67 Distribution Distribution C/S/B Div w/1/cy attach 1 - C/E/E W/I/C/E w/I or attach 1 -C/WOMUSE/IGG w/l attach CLASSIFICATICN REVIEW Conducted On-1-10-26 E.2 IMPET CL/D/0/06/0925 GS COPY 8603 CROSS REFERENCE TO DISPATIOH SYMBOL AND NUMBER DATE FJTA-53626 DATE DEC 6 1967 CLASSIFICATIONAL SEUDE E TRYBA UNKNOWN HOR FILE NUMBER

Summary  
The document outlines the activities of a Japanese anti-war organization, BESERIEN (later BEERIEN or EIREIREN), established in April 1963 to oppose U.S. involvement in Vietnam. The group operated under ties to the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) and collaborated with Soviet Embassy officials to assist four U.S. Navy deserters who fled to Japan in November 1967. These sailors, from the aircraft carrier *Intrepid*, were intercepted by anti-war activists in Tokyo, including Makoto Oda and Professor F. Young, who facilitated their meetings with journalists and intellectuals. The deserters claimed they had missed their ship and sought asylum in Japan, though their exact movements and intentions remain unclear. U.S. authorities expressed concern over the incident, with media coverage highlighting public reactions in both Japan and the United States. The parents of one deserter reportedly struggled to understand their son’s decision to leave the Navy.  

Key People  
- YOSHIKAWA (JCP member, BESERIEN Secretary General)  
- ODA Makoto (ex-JCP member, BESERIEN chairman)  
- KAIKO Ken (novelist, activist)  
- KUBO Kinoosuke (film producer/director)  
- TSURUMI Shunsuko (professor)  
- YOSHIDA Kiju (film director)  
- ERNST YOUNG (U.S. professor, liaison with BESERIEN)  
- Brian Victoria (pacifist, contact with Soviet Embassy)  
- Prof. F. Young (U.S. academic involved in anti-war activism)  
- David Dekiner (pacifist activist associated with the deserters)  
- Mr. S. (Naseda University student linked to Beheiren)  

Key Locations  
- Tokyo, Japan (headquarters and meeting sites for BESERIEN; Hotel Takanakanakawa, Shibuya, Minato-ku)  
- Chigasaki, Japan (villa used as a hideout for deserters)  
- Yokohama, Japan (port of departure for the deserters)  
- USSR (destination for deserters, Soviet Embassy involvement)  

Key Events  
- Founding of BESERIEN in 1963 as an anti-Vietnam War group.  
- Collaboration with Soviet Embassy officials to assist U.S. Navy deserters.  
- Desertion from the *Intrepid* aircraft carrier in November 1967.  
- Interception by anti-war activists and subsequent meetings with journalists.  
- Discussions about asylum in Japan and potential escape via ship between November 11th–13th.  
- Media coverage of the deserters’ actions in the U.S. and Japan.  
- Parents’ confusion over their son’s decision to leave the Navy.  

Key Organizations  
- Japanese Communist Party (JCP)  
- Soviet Embassy (cooperation with BESERIEN)  
- Beheiren (anti-war group that hid the deserters)  
- Anti-war organizations in Japan (involved in facilitating meetings with activists)  
- Students for a Democratic Society (U.S.)  
- World Peace Council (Canada)  
- Campaign to Support the Vietnamese People (France)  
- U.S. Navy Intelligence (monitored the situation, though no direct action was taken)

JFK Declassified Files

104-10064-10012.pdf

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