</s>104-10073-10279 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 DISPATCH CLASSIFICATION PROCESSING ACTION TO WAMED ICE MIXING Chief Soy Bloc Div. Chief, Far East Division X NO INDRING RECORDED NO INGREDIC RECORDER ONLY QUALIFIED DESA Chief, WOMUSE/ICG X CAN JUDGE INCENDING Chief of Station (Tokyo)13-3 MICROFILM FROM SUBJECT: Chief of station (Tokyof13-13) RYBAT MIJASHA REDTOP - Beheiron and the Four U.S. Navy Deserters ACTION REQUIRED - REFERENCES TOKYO 7263 (8-3) 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 2- C/SB Div w/1.cy attach 1 - C/FE W/1 c/y attach 1 - 1 - C //OMUSE/IGG w/l attach RETURN TO CIA Background Use Only Do Not Reproduce CLASSIFICATICN REVIEW Conducted On-le-10-26 E4,2 WADET CL D/2660SS 0988 COPY CROSS REFERENCE TO DISPACH SYMBOL AND NUMBER DISPOSIT SYMBAL AND NUMBER DATE FJTA-53626 E-2.0-0-2-0 DEC 6 1967 CLASSIFICATIONAL HOB FILE NUMBER UNKNOWN

Summary: The text details activities of BEMIHEN, a group with ties to the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), Soviet-aligned networks, and international anti-war movements. It describes four U.S. Navy deserters who fled their ship, sought refuge in Japan, and were allegedly recruited by BEMIHEN activists for political purposes. The group coordinated propaganda campaigns, media engagement, and international conferences involving U.S., Japanese, and Soviet participants. Efforts to arrange the escape of deserters to Moscow faced logistical challenges, including visa issues. BEMIHEN also collaborated with U.S. pacifist groups like the Students for a Democratic Society and the Quakers, and engaged in activities such as film screenings and press conferences. A separate account describes an interview with Professor Young of Dartmouth College regarding the deserters' interactions with Japanese authorities, including public security bureau involvement, and their alleged smuggling out of Japan between November 10th and 13th, 1967. The text references fragmented details about the deserters' motivations, anti-war activism, and U.S. government responses to their situation.  

Key People:  
- YOSHIFISHI (BERTHEN Secretary General)  
- ODA Makoto (BEHEINEN Chairman)  
- KAIKO Koa (novelist)  
- KUBO Keisuke (film producer/director)  
- TSURUNT Shunosuke (professor)  
- YOSHIDA Kiju (film director)  
- STAUGHTON LYND (Yale professor)  
- NORMAN MALLER (novelist)  
- DAVID HEYNEHOLDS (War Resistors' League chairman)  
- JOAN BAEZ (folk singer)  
- CLAUDE BOURDET (French Committee to Support the Vietnamese People)  
- JEAN-PAUL SARTRE AND SIMONE DE BEAUVOR (France)  
- PROFESSOR YOUNG (Dartmouth College)  
- DAVID DEGINER (pacifist activist)  
- AMBASSADOR REISCHAUER (special assistant)  
- WASEDA UNIVERSITY STUDENT (No. 5)  

Key Locations:  
- Tokyo, Japan  
- Nakhodo (Soviet port)  
- Yokohama, Japan  
- Moscow, USSR  
- Kyoto, Japan  
- International House in Tokyo  
- Shiba, Minato-to, U.S. aircraft carrier *Intrepid*  

Key Events:  
- Four U.S. Navy deserters fled their ship, sought refuge in Japan, and were allegedly recruited by BEMIHEN activists.  
- BEMIHEN organized anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, media campaigns, and international conferences involving U.S., Japanese, and Soviet participants.  
- The group attempted to arrange the escape of deserters to Moscow but faced visa and logistical challenges.  
- BEMIHEN coordinated with U.S. pacifist groups, including Quakers and the Students for a Democratic Society, and engaged in propaganda efforts through publications like *Liberation*.  
- Professor Young interviewed deserters on the *Intrepid* and later in Tokyo, discussing their plans to leave Japan for a neutral country.  
- Japanese authorities, including the public security bureau, were involved in interactions with the deserters.  
- The deserters allegedly underwent smuggling out of Japan between November 10th and 13th, 1967, with uncertain exact dates.  
- Film screenings and press conferences highlighted the deserters' activities, drawing attention to their anti-war stance.  

Key Organizations:  
- BEMIHEN (various spellings; associated with JCP and Soviet-aligned networks)  
- Students for a Democratic Society (U.S.)  
- World Peace Council (Canada)  
- Soviet Peace Committee  
- Japanese Communist Party (JCP)  
- Quakers (U.S. and Japan)  
- Anti-war organization (unspecified)  
- FIL (likely Foreign Intelligence Liaison)  
- CIA

JFK Declassified Files

104-10073-10279.pdf

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