UFO Criticism by JN from Japan - 2005 08 - vol 5 no 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO Criticism by J.N. from Japan
Issue: Vol.5 No.2
Date: August 2005
Publisher: Junji Numakawa
Country: Japan
Price: Not for sale

This issue of the newsletter 'UFO Criticism by J.N. from Japan' presents a personal account of UFO sightings and a critical perspective on UFOlogy, particularly within Japan.

My 1993-2003

The author, J.N. (Junji Numakawa), details his personal sightings of mysterious aerial phenomena between 1993 and 2005. He reports three cigar-shaped stationary lights on February 10, 2005, near Gotoku-ji Station in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, noting their size and position were similar to previous observations. On December 9, 2004, he observed three more cigar-shaped lights, one significantly larger, which remained visible for about 40 minutes. He also recalls a sighting on April 4, 2004, over Ueno Park in Tokyo, involving a bright white cloud and other phenomena. The author notes a lack of sightings in 2003 and only one in 2002, with some in 2001. His series of sightings began on April 24, 1993, after responding to an appeal from SPA (Sky People Association) for a sky-watch. During this watch, he observed a cigar-shaped light, nearly as long as his thumb at arm's length, which appeared to be part of a cloud and floated away. He mentions that SPA was founded in April 1992 by Osamu Sato and was known for its deluxe magazine, but he joined in March 1993 due to encouragement from Kiyoshi Amamiya.

Personal History and UFOlogy Involvement

Numakawa recounts his early involvement with the Cosmic Brotherhood Association (CBA) in his boyhood, which he joined in 1964. He notes that CBA, founded in 1957 as a merry group, had become 'the agent of Cosmic Union' by the time he joined. He maintained his connection with CBA until around 1970. A significant influence was the 1976 Japanese translation of John A. Keel's book, 'UFOs: Operation Trojan Horse,' which suggested that UFOs might be liars, making frequent appearances meaningless. This led him to write a booklet, 'Enban-gaku (Saucerlogy),' in 1981, questioning the nature of UFOs. He left UFOlogy at that time, stating, 'If a saucer seems to be something to Mr. Keel, it is not a true saucer.'

He returned to UFO research in 1993, maintaining an agnostic stance and calling himself a 'retired UFO researcher.' He started his newsletter, 'UFO Hihyo by J-N,' in April 1993, criticizing the second generation of Japanese UFOlogists for overlooking CBA's past sightings. He notes that Osamu Sato and other new UFOlogists like Miaki Komatsu were open-minded and did not exhibit prejudice against CBA. His personal sightings increased, often described as large, appearing at night, and sometimes as lights within clouds.

A particularly mysterious phenomenon was observed and videoed on September 25, 1998, from his home in Setagaya-ku, appearing as a great fire disaster on the horizon. He believes this event, which did not make news, was shown only to his family. He states that these frequent appearances led him to abandon his agnosticism, though he acknowledges he cannot prove these events.

By 2003, the 10th anniversary of his first SPA sky-watch, he had no UFO sightings. He interprets this period as an end to one phase, noting a significant change in the Japanese UFO world with many groups ceasing activity or becoming inactive. His newsletter, 'UFO Hihyo by J-N,' has shifted to carrying foreign news only.

Notes on UFOlogy and Related Figures

• Several footnotes provide additional context:
• #1: Mentions Sister Lucia of Fatima and CBA's role in UFO history.
• #2: Details Osamu Sato's founding of JUFORO in 1989 and the cessation of his magazine 'Flying Saucer.' It also notes his publication of a directory of Japanese UFO research groups.
• #3: Refers to a biblical expression, 'the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud' (Exodus 16:10), in relation to UFO sightings within clouds.
• #4: Lists recent articles from 'UFO Hihyo by J-N' concerning 'Tsunami and UFOs,' the disclosure of British UFO official documents, the Iranian UFO incident, and 'An Invisible Airplane.'

Additionally, the issue notes that Kiyoshi Amamiya would attend a 'World UFO Conference' in Dalian, China, in September 2005, and distribute an extra issue of his English-titled magazine, 'The UFO Researcher.' It also mentions the donation of Part III of the Condon Report translation.

On the Trindade Photos (1958)

This section critically examines the authenticity of the four photos of a Saturn-shaped UFO taken by Almiro Barauna at Trindade Island on January 16, 1958. The author references the late Mr. Kinichi Arai, a pioneer of Japanese UFOlogy, who was informed by the Brazilian Embassy in Tokyo that the photos were not genuine. Skeptics like Dr. Terence Hines suggest the photos were made using double exposure. Numakawa discusses the specific camera used, a 'Rolleiflex 2.8, Model E,' and the difficulties in manipulating it for double exposures. He presents the analysis of Yoshihiko Akaiwa of JSPS, who viewed the UFO as a small, flat object like cellophane paper, possibly out of focus. Kentaro Mori, in his internet article 'The Amazing UFO,' suggests the four photos actually represent only one image, with variations due to inversion, flipping, and computer enhancement. Mori's analysis indicates differences in the 'ling' curve of the UFO and significant discrepancies in the cloud formations between photos, suggesting more than 14 seconds passed between shots, which he deems insufficient for such cloud changes.

Mr. Mori's panoramic reconstruction of the photos, based on Mr. Barauna's three photos, shows how the object 'X' appears to move and change size, and how the handrail 'Y' shifts. Numakawa explains that the camera's position (at the chest, not the face) might explain why the handrail is in the frame, as Barauna had to look down. He concludes that without access to the negatives, the controversy over the Trindade photos will continue.

A Masked Man Asked

This section reports on Mr. Za Greto Sasuke, a professional wrestler and member of the Iwate Prefectural Assembly. On June 28, 2005, he questioned prefecture authorities about UFOs for six minutes while wearing his wrestling mask. He referenced previous discussions at the House of Councilors and reported incidents in Tenri City and a Mexican Air Force case (which he agrees might be explained by oil field flames). Sasuke stated he had seen UFOs twice in Iwate Prefecture, though without specifics. He also brought up an incident on May 23, 2002, involving a transparent, colorless balloon-like object in Iwate Prefecture. Despite his polite inquiry, he received a 'boring answer.' The article notes that Sasuke has researched UFOs for 20 years.

Additional Notes and Personal History

• Mr. Hirokazu Fujihira, a cartoonist, pointed out that diving beetles can fly, relating this to prehistoric Japanese football-shaped clay products that archaeologists interpret as diving beetles, and which Osamu Sato speculated might be spaceships.
• A photograph is shown of a specimen found at Kamegaoka, Kizukuri Town, Aomori Prefecture, measuring 6 centimeters.
• The author's brief personal history is provided: born in Tokyo in March 1952, graduated from Waseda University in 1976, worked as a local government employee since 1977, married with one son, and enjoys old movie special effects and 'Russian' folk songs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are personal UFO experiences, critical analysis of UFO evidence, and the history and state of UFOlogy in Japan. The author, J.N., maintains a skeptical yet open-minded stance, emphasizing the need for rigorous evidence and questioning unsubstantiated claims. He appears to value historical research and critical thinking, as evidenced by his detailed examination of the Trindade photos and his critique of how UFOlogy has developed in Japan. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, aiming to dissect and question prevailing narratives within the UFO community.