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Japan Coordinates with US, Reviews UAP Infrared Footage

5/13/2026

Summary

Kihara Reviews UAP

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan is closely coordinating with the United States on UAP footage at a press conference in Tokyo.
He confirmed he personally reviewed the U.S. infrared imagery released on May 8.
Kihara noted Japan routinely collects and analyzes information on such incidents.
He declined to comment on prior U.S. notice, stating that any Japanese disclosure will be decided case-by-case to protect intelligence-gathering capabilities.

Summary

Asakawa Calls Briefing

MP Masahiro Asakawa chaired the 4th UAP meeting on March 31 2026, with former PM Shigeru Ishiba present.
The opening slide flagged six ATTRITION members, noted officer Hiroshi Miyamoto’s data-sharing confirmation with the Pentagon’s AARO, and recorded Asakawa’s call for a UAP briefing and press coverage.
A U.S. release redacted 242 passages and included slide DOW-UAP-PR46 showing a 2024 UAP near Japan that conflicts with January 2023 footage cited by reporter Kou Nanao.

Summary

Kihara Declines

The portal’s slideshow omitted a file from the 161-record manifest, creating the disputed date gap.
Japan’s executive system confirmed the data three days after the U.S. portal launch, showing the operation preceded public release.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara declined to correct the disputed date when pressed by reporters.
Japan maintains a more detailed Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) inventory than the public portal, indicating internal-only records.

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Kihara Reviews UAP

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan is closely coordinating with the United States on UAP footage at a press conference in Tokyo.
He confirmed he personally reviewed the U.S. infrared imagery released on May 8.
Kihara noted Japan routinely collects and analyzes information on such incidents.
He declined to comment on prior U.S. notice, stating that any Japanese disclosure will be decided case-by-case to protect intelligence-gathering capabilities.

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