Japanese Media: Mysterious Flying Object Spotted Over Ryukyu During U.S.-Japan Exercises
According to *Okinawa Times* on October 25, a white, balloon-like object was observed hovering above Dading Village in the Ryukyu Islands for over three hours early on October 20.
The photograph was taken by local resident Chūmura Kajin (72), who speculated: “This may be related to the U.S.-Japan joint exercise ‘Iron Sword,’ which began on the 19th.”
Both meteorological observation stations and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated they had no clear information regarding the origin of the object.
Around 8 a.m., Chūmura Kajin noticed the object while watering plants, spotting it in the western sky.
About an hour and a half later, a round, granular object approached and passed near the balloon, which then ascended and moved eastward. Chūmura Kajin remarked: “It did not appear to be a natural phenomenon. It seemed to be under someone’s control.”
The sighting occurred during communication training conducted by Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force at Kadena Air Base.
When asked by reporters whether the balloon was connected to Self-Defense Force training, the Defense Ministry’s Joint Staff Headquarters responded: “Based on the image, it is not possible to determine whether the object was used during training.”
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879992108893276/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.