"Godzilla or Dragon Ball?"... Mysterious Sphere Found in Japan

Mysterious 'Large Metal Sphere' Found on Japanese Beach
Concerns Rise in Japan Following 'Reconnaissance Balloon' Incident
City Authorities Unable to Identify the Metal Sphere

A giant metal sphere of unknown origin was discovered on a coastal area in Japan, prompting authorities to launch an investigation.

According to a report by Japan's NHK on the 24th, the Shizuoka Prefectural Police in central Honshu responded to a report of an unidentified metal object on the coast.

Upon arrival at the scene, the police confirmed a massive metal sphere measuring 1.5 meters in diameter and immediately restricted access within a 100-meter radius. Considering the possibility that it could be a naval mine (a device shaped like a ball with a firing mechanism inside, laid underwater to explode ships), the police dispatched an explosive ordnance disposal team to conduct an investigation.

An unidentified metal sphere found on the coast of Shizuoka Prefecture in central Honshu, Japan.
[Photo by Reuters·Yonhap News]

Explosive experts examined the object using X-rays and confirmed that the interior was hollow. After determining there was no risk of explosion, the access restrictions were lifted. However, the city authorities have yet to identify the 'nature' of the metal sphere.

The local police suspect that the metal sphere might be a large buoy, as there appears to be a protruding part resembling a handle on its surface. However, some argue that such large metal buoys typically have various devices attached to their surfaces to aid buoyancy, making it unlikely that this metal sphere is a buoy.

As news of this suspicious sphere spread online within Japan, local netizens expressed curiosity, speculating it might be from "Dragon Ball" or "Godzilla." Some also suggested it could be related to unidentified objects appearing worldwide, such as spy balloons.

In connection with this, a man in his 50s living near the site told NHK in an interview, "The metal sphere has been on the beach for about a month. When I approached and touched it with my hand, I thought the material was iron. It was very heavy and did not move at all even when pushed by hand."

Meanwhile, Masaki Matsukawa, head of the Coastal Maintenance Department at the Hamamatsu Civil Engineering Office in Shizuoka Prefecture, told NHK, "The identity of the sphere is still unclear. Although we could not determine what kind of debris it is, since it has been confirmed to be safe, it will be handled in the same way as general floating debris."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.