</s>APPROVED FOR RELEASE 2025 UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 14176 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20505 MEMORANDUM FOR: O MURKIN 16 MAY 1968 Director: Federal Bureau of Investigation Attention: Mr. S.J. Papich Sid . SUBJECT Investigation in Japan on Suspicious Actions of Gerald Lee Richards, Or Originally Described as Ressembling Suspected Assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1. Reference is made to the report concerning the above subject made by telephone to M. S .J. Papich at 0930 on 17 April 1968. Following is a full account of the investigation made in this case: A. On 16 April 1968 in United States National Maritime Union official in Yokohama reported that one Gerald Lee Richards who bore a general physical assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King, a general arrived Cauti in Japan about 15 April 1968 and requested a position about any going official contact Richards became and refused to divulge his Japanese residence. The National Maritime Union official described Richards National Maritime union official described Richard hairline and both sides, and not very prominent scar two on one-half inches long traversing the center forehead, his most outstanding characteristic being a grinace, According to Richard's documents and state- ment, he was born on April 1937, applied for seaman's papiers, there were a few. United States Nationals and reserved there, and the United StatesNational Committee Union member on 21 February 1968 is 62-46-5078, his shipped out States Social Security Number 2-2711-7892. 44-3861-3285 2258-2707 REC 11 J4 MAY 22 1968 DATE/FEN/FORMATION CONTAINED 66MAY21968

Summary  
This document details an investigation by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) into Gerald Lee Richards, a U.S. national who resided in Japan between 1963 and 1964. The inquiry was initiated due to suspicions that Richards may have been connected to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., though no direct link is established. The National Maritime Union official in Yokohama reported that Richards arrived in Japan on April 15, 1968, and requested employment. He was described as having a scar on his forehead, a distinctive grin, and physical features resembling the suspected assassin of Dr. King. Richards provided documents stating he was born in 1937, applied for seaman’s papers, and held a U.S. Social Security Number (2-2711-7892). The Japanese National Police Agency confirmed his biographical data, noting he married Michiko Takayama in 1963 before relocating to the United States. A photograph of Richards was compared to FBI-provided images of James Earl Ray, but no resemblance was found. The CIA relayed this information to the U.S. Embassy’s Legal Attache in Tokyo.  

Key People  
- Gerald Lee Richards: U.S. national investigated for potential ties to Dr. King’s assassination; resided in Japan 1963–1964, married Michiko Takayama.  
- James Earl Ray: Suspected assassin of Dr. King; his photograph was compared to Richards’ in the investigation.  
- M. S.J. Papich: FBI official contacted regarding the case.  
- James Angelenton: Deputy Director for Plans at CIA.  

Key Locations  
- Yokohama, Japan: Where Richards was reported to have arrived in April 1968.  
- Carpenteria, California: Address linked to Richards’ residence in Japan (phonetic “Hosoi” Street).  
- Tokyo, Japan: Site of the U.S. Embassy’s Legal Attache office.  

Key Events  
- April 15–16, 1968: National Maritime Union official in Yokohama reported Richards’ arrival and physical description.  
- May 16, 1968: CIA memorandum documenting investigation findings and forwarding information to U.S. Embassy Tokyo.  
- Biographical data verification by Japanese National Police Agency confirming Richards’ residence and marriage records.  

Key Organizations  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): Conducted the investigation and relayed findings to U.S. Embassy Tokyo.  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Provided photographs of James Earl Ray for comparison.  
- National Maritime Union: Reported on Richards’ activities in Japan.  
- Japanese National Police Agency: Verified biographical data on Richards.

MLK Declassified Files

07175455_memo_for_dir_fbi_attentio.pdf

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