Event · 14 September 2020
Japan's Defense Ministry issues a UAP protocol to the Self-Defense Forces
On 14 September 2020, Japan's Defense Minister Taro Kono issued a directive requiring the Self-Defense Forces to report unidentifiable aerial objects thoroughly, photograph them where possible and analyse them. He announced it at his press conference the next day, saying it concerned unidentified objects, not objects from space, and that there was no record of the SDF ever encountering one.
The Japan Times reported that the step had been prompted by the Pentagon's April 2020 release of Navy videos. He had said the subject came up in his August 2020 meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper in Guam, without giving details.
Sources: Ministry of Defense press conference transcript (15 September 2020) · The Japan Times (2020) · The Diplomat (2020)
Facts and claims
- documented Defense Minister Taro Kono issued a directive on unidentifiable objects in the air that could affect Japan's defence and security: report them thoroughly, photograph them where possible, and analyse them, including when they are seen outside air-defence and surveillance missions. — Taro Kono Source: Press conference transcript: Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono (September 15, 2020)
- documented Kono said there was no record of the SDF encountering such an object, and that he had discussed the issue with the U.S. defence secretary at their meeting in Guam. — Taro Kono Source: Press conference transcript: Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono (September 15, 2020)
- claimed The Japan Times reported that the move was prompted by the Pentagon's April 2020 release of Navy videos, and that the protocol also covers reports from the public. Source: japantimes.co.jp (archived)
- claimed Before issuing the protocol, Kono said UFOs had been discussed with U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper during their meeting in Guam (August 2020), without giving details. — Taro Kono Source: UFOs - Japan’s Minister of Defense discusses an alliance with U.S. SecDef Mark Esper at 0:12
Connected files
Documents
- Japanese Cabinet written answer on the government's view of unidentified flying objects (House of Representatives, 27 February 2018) (follows) — Two years later, in September 2020, Defense Minister Taro Kono ordered the Self-Defense Forces to record and report unidentifiable objects in the air
- Press conference transcript: Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono (September 15, 2020) (subject of)
People
- Taro Kono (issued by)
Organizations
- Ministry of Defense (Japan) (issued by)
Events
- Pentagon officially releases three Navy UAP videos (prompted by) — The Japan Times reported the Pentagon's April 2020 release of Navy videos prompted the protocol
Videos
- Japanese military given instructions on UFOs (subject of)
- UFOs - Japan’s Minister of Defense discusses an alliance with U.S. SecDef Mark Esper (subject of)
Mentioned in this file
- Department of War (Department of Defense) (Organization)
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