Japanese Government: “UFOs Are Real”
Apparently, the assembled reporters laughed at him:
Japan Government Spokesman: UFOs Exist
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s air force has never spotted a UFO, but the country’s top government spokesman said Tuesday he “definitely” believes they exist.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura was speaking to reporters in response to demands lodged by an opposition lawmaker for an inquiry into “frequent reports of UFO sightings.”
The government said in an official reply that it had “not confirmed sightings of unidentified flying objects believed to be from outer space.”
Still, “I definitely believe they exist,” Machimura said as reporters erupted in laughter.
In a written response issued Tuesday to opposition Democratic Party of Japan lawmaker Ryuji Yamane, the government said the air force had often spotted “birds and other objects beside aircraft,” but no UFOs.
Tokyo keeps a vigilant watch over Japanese airspace and is ready to scramble fighter jets to intercept suspicious airborne objects, the government reply said.
A report from the BBC website takes incredible pains to suggest that Machimura “might not have been serious” along with a stock graphic helpfully explaining that “Many UFO sightings can be easily explained.” Geez, what are they so worried about?
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Dec 19 2007 
December 19th, 2007 at 9:31 am
I don’t know how seriously to take this, or if the nuances of the Japanese language translate properly.
One thought, though - maybe the laughter curtain can be hacked.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Typical treatment by the mainstream press. But I think the man was brave.
And another thing, this bit of news may be a hint that there has been a surge of reports of UFOs in Japan lately. I think that deserves a follow-up.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Judging by all the Japanese programs on YouTube that deal with ghosts and UFOs their press might be laughing but I get the feeling there is tremendous interest in the subject amongst the average Japanese. Gotta love the caption under the BBC picture: “Many UFO sightings can be easily explained” LOL! What a shock. I think most of us who believe in them would agree that 90% or more of sightings are easily explainable. Would have been nice if they had the Trent photo with the caption, “Many UFO sightings CANNOT be easily explained.”
December 19th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
Japan has a substanial paranormal sub-culture. I still have ( someplace in my library ) a copy of MU magazine, which has been around for awhile. I suspect the official here was (A) saving face for the opposistion question (B) possibly expressing a sincere belief of
only minor consequence and (C) that the
reporters were laughing with him, rather than at him.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:08 am
disowned,
I don’t think there are any subtleties lost in the translation of the statement, but the context of the comments (a press conference, and the Minister’s relationship to the press) may change the meaning somewhat.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:10 am
RPJ,
You may be right. The dearth of Japanese UFO stories may be an indication of something.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:13 am
Ben,
The BBC seemed to take great pains to suggest that they are not in the habit of supporting UFO stories, however this seems to go against their supposed imparitality as a news serice.
December 20th, 2007 at 12:14 am
Craig,
I suspect that you are generally correct!
December 20th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Just once I would like to hear a representative of our government say: “UFO’s are weird!”
December 21st, 2007 at 10:24 am
there’s been a follow-up to this story, the Minister of Defense had to step in:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=apLM6Rsq0jXY&refer=japan