If you're convinced that we're not alone in the universe, then today's posting is for you...

Earlier this week, American astronaut Mike Foreman, a mission specialist on the space shuttle Endeavour, told a Japanese audience that he believes in aliens. According to Foreman, "If we push back boundaries far enough, I'm sure eventually we'll find something out there...maybe not as evolved as we are, but it's hard to believe that there is not life somewhere else in this great universe."

Foreman returned to Earth in March after a sixteen day mission on the Endeavour, which included a Japanese astronaut in its crew. And, while the mission didn't reveal the presence of alien life forms, Foreman isn't alone in thinking that the universe may be a crowded place. His comments were backed up by astronaut Gregory Johnson, who stated: "I personally believe that we are going to find something that we can't explain."

And, as if Foreman and Johnson didn't give a convincing enough argument, their comments were also backed up by astronaut Dominic Gorie, who added: "As we travel in space, we don't know what we'll find. That's the beauty of what we do. I hope that someday we'll find what we don't understand."

Do you believe? If so, keep on reading!


Since the press conference was given in Tokyo, perhaps the most convincing testimony came from Mr. Takao Doi, the Japanese astronaut on the Endeavour mission, who agreed that "life like us must exist."

Given that Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Mr. Nobutaka Machimura previously stated that unidentified flying objects (UFOs) most likely exist, these comments couldn't have come at a better time.

At a prior press conference Machimura announced that in the event that a UFO was discovered inside Japan's sovereign airspace, fighter planes would be scrambled to confirm the nature of the object.

However, Mr. Machimura regretted to announce that the government's response measures ended there as there were no mechanisms in place for dealing with an actual alien landing. Of course, Mr. Machimura was quick to emphasize that the Japanese government was not aware of any confirmed cases whereby a UFO was actually discovered.

But he did reiterate the urgent need to try and scientifically confirm whether or not UFOs exist because of what he called incessant reports of sightings. Although to date most UFO sightings in Japan have either been birds, planes or other easily explainable objects, Mr. Machimura was proud to announce that he believes they definitely exist.

Now, I've never been one to give too much lip service to wild rumors and conspiracy theories regarding the presence of extraterrestrial life. With that said, I do think that the opinions of four astronauts along with a high-ranking Japanese government official may hold a little more weight than the mad ravings of some farmer in the middle of Nebraska (no offense to farmers or to Nebraskans!).

So, on that note, I guess today's posting brings about the simple question:

Have you ever seen an alien or a UFO? If so, care to comment?

Filed under: Asia, Japan, Big in Japan