Case No. #1483
The Submersible Luminous Object off Ehime
Summary
In the early hours of September 12, 2022, three crew members of a fishing vessel operating south of Imabari City in the Seto Inland Sea observed a glowing spherical object rise rapidly from beneath the water's surface, ascend to approximately 20 meters altitude, then accelerate away at extreme speed. The object, estimated at 5–8 meters in diameter, produced a water column on surfacing and generated no sound. No radar record and no authorized flight registered in the area at that time. Similar subsurface luminous object reports from the Seto Inland Sea date back to the 1980s.
Details
At 3:40 a.m. on September 12, 2022, three crew members aboard a night-fishing vessel approximately 20 kilometers south of Imabari City observed a greenish-white light rising rapidly through the water ahead of the vessel. The light broke the surface, rose to approximately 20 meters, and then disappeared from view within four to five seconds. A water column of 2–3 meters in diameter was produced at the point of emergence, and the hull experienced a minor shockwave-like vibration, according to crew testimony.
The chief officer, who observed the object at closest range, described it as "a complete sphere with a luminous surface. The light was not uniform — the surface seemed to shift." The direction of departure was north-northwest. The officer described its speed as "incomparably faster than any jet aircraft." Upon return to port, it emerged that two crew members of another vessel working the same grounds two weeks earlier had independently observed a luminous object beneath the water surface in the same area.
A Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel inspected the site the following day. No seabed anomaly or discharge was found. Radar records from coastal management control centers showed no corresponding return. A query to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force confirmed no corresponding aircraft.
The Seto Inland Sea strait in question is a strategically significant maritime corridor with documented submarine transit activity. The hypothesis of a reconnaissance drone launched from a foreign submarine was considered; however, the rapid submersible-to-airborne transition, the water column produced on surfacing, and the reported post-surface speed are inconsistent with any currently known drone technology.
The Bureau is cross-referencing this case against twelve prior luminous subsurface object reports from the Seto Inland Sea region.
Timeline
- Two weeks prior (early Sept 2022)Two crew members of another vessel observe a luminous object beneath the water surface in the same area; report not filed at the time.
- Sept 12, 2022 — 3:40 a.m.Three crew members observe a spherical luminous object rise from the water, ascend to ~20 m, and accelerate away to the northwest.
- Sept 12, 2022 — 3:40–3:45 a.m.Object disappears at extreme speed to the north-northwest. No radar record.
- Sept 13, 2022Coast Guard inspects site. No seabed anomaly. JASDF query finds no corresponding aircraft.
- Autumn 2022Bureau begins cross-referencing case with twelve prior Seto Inland Sea subsurface luminous object reports.
- PresentSeto Inland Sea luminous object database development ongoing. Fishermen information-sharing network continued.
Witness Testimony
Chief officer (male, 40s)"The light came from inside the water. Greenish-white, perfectly spherical. When it surfaced, spray came at us. Once it was in the air, it was gone so fast I couldn't track it. That was not a submarine and not an aircraft."
Crew member (male, 30s)"The boat rocked slightly. The object must have been close. It glowed. No sound at all. If it was military, I wish they would be more careful. That was frightening."
Fisherman who saw the prior event (male, 50s)"Two weeks before, I saw something glowing in the water. Not at the bottom, not at the surface — somewhere in between. The fact that it happened again in the same spot tells me something is out there."
Kyu's Analysis
From sea to air. No radar return. The trajectory and speed are inconsistent with any known technology. The record stands.
