Close encounters: inside Japan’s growing fascination with UFOs
Politicians claim sightings, museums report rising visitor numbers – and ‘contact events’ draw thousands seeking alien encounters
Chinen recalls the moment vividly: it happened during a “contact event” in Nagano several years ago. These gatherings, popular among extraterrestrial enthusiasts, aim to initiate sightings or communication through meditation and group intention. Chinen first developed an interest in the existence of alien life shortly afterwards.
“We had not seen anything that we could definitely say was a UFO during the evening, but it was dark and there were stars and as we were talking, we saw lights moving around us,” he told This Week in Asia. “Suddenly there was one light – a huge ball of red light that expanded and then instantaneously disappeared.”
“There was one person in the group who was sceptical about UFOs,” he added. “And his back was turned at that very instant, but the rest of us saw it … that was enough to convince me.”
Asked if he felt fear during the encounter, Chinen shook his head. “They do not show themselves if they sense fear,” he said.