A mysterious metallic ball appears on a beach in Japan. Photo: NIUS
A large iron ball found on a Japanese beach continues to cause confusion around the world, following neither Hamamats residents nor local police really know what the unidentified object is. The metallic ball of regarding 1.5 meters in diameter caused the Japanese authorities to restrict access to the spa in Enshu.
“So far, we do not know what the object is,” were the first statements by the Coast Guard department of the Japanese city of Omaezaki. From a spy balloon like those sighted in the US and Canada, a UFO, a bomb, or a sphere from the Dragon Ball series were the first theories that were disseminated on social networks.
Check out the mysterious find:
What is really the metallic ball found in Japan?
However, hours following the discovery, the Japanese authorities ruled out that it might be a bomb and that it is regarding to explode, following experts used X-rays to examine the interior of the object and discovered that it was hollow, according to The Guardian.
Nor have they found any indications that it is involved with an issue of espionage by North Korea or China. The presence of two handles on the surface of the sphere would indicate that it can be attached to something else. This prompted a more accurate explanation from the experts: a mooring buoy that simply broke loose and floated away.
Authorities believe it was a mooring buoy that broke loose and floated away. Photo: elonce.com
Metal ball seen by the neighbors
A neighbor in the area was the first to raise the alarm to the authorities, following finding the object a few meters from the shore, when she was walking along the beach. However, another Enshu resident told broadcaster NHK that the ball “has been there for a month”. “I tried to push it, but it wouldn’t budge,” she added.
After the discovery of the strange object, the Police blocked a radius of 200 metros around the ball while the experts tried unsuccessfully to solve the mystery.
Television images of the object sparked speculation on social media, shortly following Japan said it “strongly suspected” several Chinese spy balloons had been sighted over its territory in recent years.
The appearance of a huge metal ball caused bewilderment in the Japanese population. Photo: Capture/Twitter
Characteristics of the mysterious metallic ball
The yellowish object found in the city of Hamamatsu was half buried in the sand on the beach. Stuck crustaceans and seaweed were found on its surface.
Likewise, it has two hooking points at the opposite poles, so according to local media they point out that the metal ball would resemble a mina submariana o boya even if the danger of explosion has already been ruled out.
Could the iron ball be a sea mine?
The authorities have already sent images and videos of the giant ball to specialists from the Self-Defense Forces and the Coast Guard for investigation.
Likewise, they are searching the area to see if there are more similar objects out of fear and concern that it might be a sea mine, as reported by different local media.
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World War II mine, displayed at Fort Warren, in Boston Harbor. Photo: Information
Photos of the metal ball found on a beach in Japan
The Japanese authorities ruled out the possibility that it was an explosive. Photo: Twitter capture
The object measures more than 1.5 meters in diameter. Photo: Twitter capture
The strange object appeared on a beach in the city of Hamamatsu, located in the Shizouka prefecture. Photo: The Voice
The metallic ball and the recently appeared unidentified objects
The origin of the object, which is unknown if it arrived by sea or by air, is still under investigation. Its discovery comes amid general jitters over unidentified objects since the United States shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon earlier this month.
Japan expressed concern to China over suspected surveillance balloons seen above its skies at least three times since 2019, an allegation it first made last week. Beijing denies the spying allegations.
The before and following of the Chinese balloon that was shot down. Photo: Twitter @CvuenNoticias
Why is it said that Japan is a country full of “mysteries”?
The belief held by many people in the world, and by the inhabitants of the Asian country, is that Japan is a nation where strange things happen. What is this regarding?
Some people attribute these events as a result of the bombings of Hiroshima y Nagasakibecause some superstitious beliefs were generated, but most of them continue to come from very old customs and culture typical of Japan whose objective is to teach lessons or as practical advice.
US posts high-altitude pilot selfie with Chinese balloon
United States Department of Defense posted a selfie taken by a pilot from the cockpit of a U-2 surveillance plane who was flying near a Chinese balloon accused by Washington of espionage the day before it was shot down.
This globe, described by China as a roving weather observation aircraft with no military purpose, it was shot down nearly three weeks ago on the orders of US President Joe Biden.
A pilot of the FF. AA. of the United States flies over the surveillance balloon of China on February 3, 2023. Photo: US Department of Defense.
What was the next step following the discovery?
As a precaution, despite the fact that it was announced that the discovery of the sphere did not represent an affectation for the people, a fence was installed so that the locals and curious people kept away.
It was learned that a Japanese man who lives not far from that beach noticed the object and it was his partner (approximately 30 years old) who alerted the competent authorities.
How big is the iron ball?
Since it appeared on Enshu beach, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding the sphere, which measures approximately 1.5 meters in diameter. A local resident discovered it and alerted the police following noticing the unusual object on the shore. Although it was initially feared that it might be a stray mine, experts used X-ray technology to examine its interior and confirmed that it was hollow, thus ruling out any fears of potential danger.
What is a spy balloon?
They are hot air balloons, usually small in size, which are equipped with the necessary technology to carry out espionage tasks, collecting information from the area they fly over. For this, they are usually equipped with powerful cameras.
This photo by Chase Doak taken on February 1, 2023 shows an alleged Chinese spy balloon in the sky over Billings, Montana, United States. Photo: AFP
The Chinese balloon would be part of the aerial surveillance program
According to The Washington Post, US intelligence services believe that the Chinese balloon that crossed the United States and some Latin American countries is part of a vast aerial surveillance program.
The outlet cites several US officials as sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. “What the Chinese have done is take incredibly old technology and basically couple it with modern communications and observation capabilities” to try to get intelligence on other nations’ militaries, an official told the outlet.
The iron ball would have a time in the place where it was found
A runner interviewed by the Japanese television channel NHK said that the ball had been lying on the beach for a month, half buried in the ground, without anyone noticing it. He indicated that he doesn’t quite understand why it has suddenly attracted public interest.
Japan earthquake did not trigger tsunami warning
And earthquake of magnitude 6.1 shook the Hokkaido region of Japan this Saturday, The United States Geological Survey reported (USGS, for its acronym in English), and indicated that the telluric movement had a depth of 42.9 km.
However, the Japan Meteorological Agency has not issued any tsunami warnings following the quake.
As a joke, tiktokers fly “spy balloon” over Chinese embassy
Josh and Archie, well-known tiktokers in England, decided to buy a balloon and then fly it over the ROC embassy in Marylebone, London.
The young people assured, always joking, that they planned their joke as “an eye for an eye.” “We saw that a balloon was shot down in the US, so we thought if China can spy on the West, why can’t the West spy on China?” these TikTok users explained.
