Locals in Japan are puzzled by a sizable metal sphere that floated ashore and has sparked a flurry of speculative activity.
Even the bomb squad and police who were sent to examine are unable to identify it at this time.
But it is already known that it is empty and not dangerous. Many people think it might be a kind of device.
Locals in Hamamatsu, a coastal city, have given the discovery different names, including "Godzilla egg," "mooring buoy," and "from outer space."
NHK, a Japanese television station, aired footage of two officials on Enshuhama Beach inspecting a rusted metal sphere that looked to be 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) in diameter.
A local had discovered it and called the authorities when they became aware of the strange object on the shore.
Authorities surrounded the location and used X-rays to confirm the object's safety, but they were unable to learn much more.
The ball had been there for some time, according to a runner on the beach who told the local media that he was startled by the commotion. He reportedly said, "I tried to push it, but it wouldn't budge," according to NHK.
According to local authorities, the object will be taken out shortly.
Normally, a find of this nature wouldn't cause suspicion, but since the US shot down a putative Chinese spy balloon earlier this month, there has been widespread anxiety about unidentified objects.
Separately, Japan voiced worry to China on Wednesday regarding what it claims are surveillance balloons that have been spotted over its skies at least three times since 2019—a claim it made for the first time last week. Beijing denies allegations of espionage.
In the first top bilateral security dialogue between the two nations in four years, the defense ministers of the two nations met on Wednesday. The launch of a hotline for contact was agreed upon by both parties for this spring.
