“Suspicious object hitting the shore”
At approximately 8:45 am on a Tuesday, a resident of Hamamatsu City in Shizuoka Prefecture alerted authorities after spotting a supposed “suspicious object stranded” on Enshyuhama Beach. Local observers noted that the find was reported to the police and quickly verified by a knowledgeable Daiichi TV channel source.
Following the report, prefectural police cordoned off the iron, ball-shaped object, measuring about 1.5 meters in diameter, and surrounding traffic was tightly controlled in line with the information broadcast by the TV network.
The object is now in the hands of specialists. Law enforcement sent the photos to experts from the Japan Self-Defense Force and the Coast Guard for assessment.
According to Nishinippon Shimbun, the area around the unusual discovery was closed because of the risk of an explosion.
Images published by Japanese media show a smooth beige surface with brown spotting, likely from rust. On opposite sides, protruding perforated structures resemble ears.
Representatives from the Omaezaki branch of the Japanese Coast Guard told RIA Novosti that the precise identity of the metal ball remains unknown. “We do not yet know what kind of object this is,” stated a ministry official.
Shortly after, a Daiichi TV correspondent noted that the interior appeared to be hollow and not prone to bursting, which allowed authorities to begin lifting some of the restrictions around the area.
February Ball Incidents and Responses
Beginning in February, several spherical objects of unknown function have been found in various locations. On February 4, a Chinese blimp was shot down off the coast of South Carolina in response to orders from the US President. The event prompted extensive coverage and analysis across networks in the United States and abroad.
Reports indicated that the blimp, initially seen over Montana, traversed much of the central United States following prevailing winds before leaving the continental landmass. Authorities cautioned against releasing the debris over populated areas due to collateral risk, while the Biden administration suggested the balloon may have been used for civilian purposes but ended up in sensitive U.S. airspace by accident.
International reactions included official Chinese protests over the incident, with Beijing characterizing the downing as an overreaction and a violation of international norms. Statements asserted that the device was civilian in nature and ended up in U.S. territory due to force majeure.
In subsequent days, unidentified aerial objects were reported over Alaska, Canada, and the Great Lakes region near Lake Huron. On February 10, a briefing from the US National Security Council explained that a balloon in Alaska airspace had been downed. Officials noted the object was roughly the size of a small car and located at an altitude around 12,000 meters.
On February 11, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canadian and American forces had interdicted an unidentified object at the northwestern edge of Canada. Trudeau stated on social media that NORAD had downed the object, and Canadian and American aircraft had been involved.
By February 12, U.S. and Canadian defense authorities confirmed that a separate octagonal object over Lake Huron, near the border, had been downed by an American F-16 on orders from President Biden. Remarks from North American Aerospace Defense Command leadership indicated that while the origin of these objects remained uncertain, a careful investigation would be conducted to determine their nature and purpose.
Experts emphasized that while some objects might be linked to civilian research or aviation experiments, others required thorough examination to assess potential security implications. The broader context highlighted ongoing challenges in airspace management and the importance of rapid, coordinated responses across allied nations. Future inquiries are expected to focus on detection methods, tracking capabilities, and the safeguards necessary to protect public safety without unnecessary disruption to air travel or civil life. [Citation: Omaezaki Coast Guard communications, 2025]