UFO Criticism by JN from Japan - 2001 12 - vol 1 no 2

Magazine Overview

Title: The UFO Criticism by J.N. from Japan
Issue: Vol.1 No.2
Date: December 2001
Publisher: Junji Numakawa
Country: Japan
Type: Magazine

This issue of "The UFO Criticism by J.N. from Japan" delves into various UFO phenomena, offering critical analysis and exploring different theories. The publication, edited by Junji Numakawa, aims to provide a platform for examining UFO evidence and research, particularly from a Japanese perspective.

UFOs Give Us Evidences: The 1965 Convair-240 Incident

The lead article, "UFOs Give Us Evidences," revisits the March 18, 1965, incident where a Convair-240 passenger plane encountered a luminous object over the Seto Inland Sea. The author, Junji Numakawa, expresses surprise that this event, which received significant press attention at the time, has been largely ignored by contemporary UFO researchers. The incident involved Captain Yoshiharu Inaba and Copilot Satoru Majima observing a round, bluish-white light that approached the plane and flew parallel to it for three minutes. Despite attempts to contact the control tower, communication was difficult, and ADF meters showed unusual activity. The article also notes a similar sighting by a pilot of a small plane shortly after and other mysterious aerial phenomena reported that same night in western Japan. The author contrasts this with the launch of a Tokyo University rocket around the same time, suggesting that the observed light might have been a rocket byproduct illuminated by the sun. However, Numakawa highlights contradictions, such as the object maintaining its position relative to the plane during a turn, and the fact that 28 passengers and a stewardess did not report seeing the object if it were a cloud.

Drawings by Witnesses

Page 2 features "Drawings by Witnesses" from a report by CBA (Cosmic Brotherhood Association). These sketches, attributed to Captain Mr. Inaba and Copilot Mr. Najima, depict the UFO's appearance, including an initial triangular shape and later a round light. The drawings also include directional information and estimations of size and altitude.

Additional Insights and Citations

Further analysis in the issue questions the rocket theory for the 1965 incident, pointing out that the object remained stationary relative to the plane even when the plane turned. The author also references a weekly magazine, "Sande Mainichi," for its coverage of the event. The article cites Frank Edwards' book "Flying Saucers-Serious Business" for mentioning the incident, but notes inaccuracies in Edwards' account, such as the copilot's name. It also mentions the work of Japanese UFO researcher Takao Ikeda.

UFOs Called Mr. Arnold: The 1947 Kenneth Arnold Sighting

Another significant section discusses the 1947 Kenneth Arnold sighting, marking the fiftieth anniversary of the term "flying saucer." The article draws from a report by Mr. Arnold for the US Army, as documented in Brad Steiger's "Project Blue Book." Numakawa highlights a contradiction noted by an anonymous analyst: the bright flash reported on Arnold's airplane would require intense sunlight, which is unlikely to repeat between two moving objects. The author finds Arnold's testimony credible, especially given his search for a missing airplane. The article debunks the idea of the objects being joined balloons, citing mountain air currents, and questions the comparison of object sizes to a DC-4 airplane. It suggests that the UFOs might have intentionally produced the "Flying Saucer Age" and notes the symbolic interpretations by the CBA group, linking the sighting to religious dates and numbers.

Anti-ETH in Japan: Haruo Otahara's Theory

The issue explores "Anti-ETH in Japan," focusing on researchers who distrust the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH). The late Haruo Otahara is presented as a unique Japanese researcher who proposed a theory not imported from the West. Otahara asserted that UFO events frequently occur on the 23rd and 24th days of the month, citing historical examples and personal UFO sightings. His book "UFO to Nazo no Tokui-bi" (UFOs and Mysterious Singular-days) developed this theory. The article also touches upon the idea that UFOs evolve in step with human technology, a theory imported from the West, and critiques the notion that UFO phenomena are simply "bolts and nuts" that can be easily dismissed.

A Mystery of a Shogun

An article titled "A Mystery of a Shogun" delves into historical accounts, specifically focusing on a phenomenon described by Hakuseki Arai concerning the death of Shogun lenobu Tokugawa in 1712. Arai reported a strange event where bright, white balls hailed down, causing difficulties for people on the roads. The article also mentions other mysterious events surrounding the funeral, such as golden flowers falling from the sky and a large star appearing near the moon. These accounts are presented as potential historical parallels to modern UFO phenomena, prompting reflection on the nature of unexplained events across different eras.

From My Sightings

Junji Numakawa shares personal sightings, including a stationary, slightly-reddish white light observed in Tokyo on November 22, 2000, which he videoed. He also recounts seeing "bright white clouds" in the night sky on multiple occasions in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, and a temporarily bright cloud above a hotel in Shinagawa-ku. These personal observations are presented as potential "simple evidences" of UFOs.

Some of Recent Titles

The magazine includes a section listing "Some of Recent Titles," referencing various publications and articles related to UFO research, including the author's own Japanese publication "UFO Hihyo" and "The UFO Researcher" magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include critical examination of UFO evidence, questioning conventional explanations, and exploring alternative theories like the ETH and unique Japanese perspectives. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded skepticism, encouraging rigorous investigation while acknowledging the profound mystery of UFO phenomena. The author emphasizes the importance of detailed observation and analysis, as seen in the detailed breakdown of the 1965 Convair-240 incident and the Kenneth Arnold sighting. There is a consistent effort to connect historical accounts and contemporary sightings, suggesting that unexplained aerial phenomena have a long and varied history.