UFO Criticism by J.N. from Japan

Magazine Overview

This issue of "UFO Criticism by J.N. from Japan" (Vol. 10, No. 2, September 2010) focuses on a review of the book "Jitsuroku: Jieitai Palrotto-tatl ga Sekkin-Sogu shita UFO (A True Record: UFOs the Self-Defense Force Pilots Encountered Closely)" by retired Lieutenant General Mamoru Sato. The magazine is published by Junji Numakawa and is not for sale.

Japanese Air Force Encounters UFOs: A New Book by a Retired Lieutenant General

The main article reviews Mamoru Sato's book, published by Kodan-sha, which compiles UFO sightings reported by his colleagues and subordinates in the Air Self-Defense Force. Sato states that the subject of UFOs is virtually taboo within the force, not due to a deep cover-up, but because high officials tend to dismiss the issue. The book contains nine chapters, with the first three focusing on clear UFO encounters: an introductory chapter on the high frequency of close-encounters, a chapter about a major loved by UFOs, and a chapter on UFOs targeting bases in the Tohoku region.

The subsequent chapters cover pilots saved by aliens, a UFO incident file, UFOs and nuclear installations, UFOs and the spiritual world (mentioning Yukio Mishima), and a final chapter titled "Beyond of Romantic Sky." The review notes that while the book discusses UFOs, some chapters may not contain direct UFO sightings but rather related phenomena like prophetic dreams or miraculous weather changes saving pilots.

The book itself, as depicted in an accompanying image, is a hardcover with a paper book-band for advertising. It is noted that the book has a scarcity of UFO photos and illustrations, potentially limiting its appeal to non-Japanese readers. The review then proceeds to detail some of the "clear encounters" described in the book.

Invisible Radar Targets

One account from the Maritime Self-Defense Force around 1968 involves retired Rear Admiral Sumihiko Kawamura, who as captain of a P2V-7 patrol plane over the Pacific Ocean, detected an object on radar that approached rapidly. The object could not be seen due to clouds, and after the plane made a evasive maneuver, nothing was observed. Kawamura did not file a report as no trouble occurred.

Objects Radars Can Not Capture

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Tetsuo Higaki, a skilled fighter pilot, reported seeing a white light flying on his right about 9 kilometers away over the East China Sea in 1981. Neither ground radar nor his accompanying fighter could detect it. The light was visible for 2-3 minutes before disappearing.

Another incident on April 11, 1986, involved retired Major General Shinkichi Nagatomi over the Sea of Japan. He and another fighter pilot observed a motionless "black dot" that stayed put until approached, at which point it flew away at high speed, uncatchable by radar.

Encounters with Breakdowns

This section details an "open secret" at Matsushima Air Base. Around 1983, a "Captain G" on a T-2 training plane noticed a "cigar-shaped" object. Simultaneously, the plane experienced electrical and control system troubles. The object disappeared, and the troubles also ceased. The same event reportedly occurred later that day with a different pilot. Maintenance crews found no faults, and the incident was allegedly suppressed by the Air Staff Office in Tokyo due to a reluctance to associate breakdowns with Japanese-made planes.

A Repeater

While Mr. Sato himself has not encountered a UFO despite extensive flying hours, the review mentions Mr. Noboru Funatsuki, a retired Major, who reported three sightings. Two occurred while he was stationed at Matsushima Air Base, and one as a civil aviation pilot. These included a "shining spherical white object" observed at high speed (Mach 8-10) by six pilots, a "white round dot" that remained stationary for over an hour, and two bright lights that changed positions instantly. Funatsuki also noted that civil aviation pilots frequently encounter UFOs, though these sightings are not typically reported to airline companies.

Government Secrecy and UFOs

Mr. Sato asserts that the Japanese government does not collect UFO reports, which he considers a serious drawback for national defense, as not all unidentified flying objects are necessarily mundane. The review also touches upon a reporter's inquiry to Mr. Sato in 1986 regarding an alleged F-4 Phantom fighter crash near Hyakuri Air Base on May 1, 1973, which the reporter believed was caused by a UFO. This story was linked to an American UFO magazine report from June 9, 1974, and involved victims Lieutenant Colonel Yoshihiro Ozaki and Captain Masayasu Abe.

Notes

The "Notes" section provides additional context:

• #1 clarifies that the book includes stories from 11 Self-Defense Force members, with 7 or 8 having personal experiences.
• #2 discusses the ineffectiveness of Japan's "Act on Access to Information" for UFO research, citing a request by Ryo Takemoto for documents related to a Japan Airlines pilot sighting over Alaska in 1986.
• #3 references Kiyoshi Amamiya's blog, "Kiyo-rin no UFO Hokoku," which Mr. Sato cites.
• #4 mentions an incident where Mr. Sato's wife saw an orange-colored round light in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo.
• The section also notes the retirement of Tsugio Kinoshita from "UFO Fureai-kan" (UFO Public Hall) in Fukushima Prefecture.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme is the official dismissal and lack of acknowledgment of UFO phenomena within the Japanese military and government, despite numerous sightings by personnel. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical examination, highlighting the importance of UFO reports for national defense and questioning the reasons behind the secrecy or indifference. The review emphasizes the need for transparency and official investigation into these unexplained aerial phenomena.