A debate over flying saucers has kept Japanese politicians
occupied for much of this week, ensnaring top officials and drawing
a promise from the defence minister to send out the army if
Godzilla goes on a rampage.
"There are debates over what makes UFOs fly, but it would be
difficult to say it's an encroachment of air space," Defence
Minister Shigeru Ishiba told a news conference.
"If Godzilla were to show up, it would be a dispatch for disaster
relief."
His remarks came after the top government spokesman was asked on
Tuesday about an opposition politician's demand that the government
confirm the existence of unidentified flying objects.
"Personally, I definitely believe they exist," chief cabinet
secretary Nobutaka Machimura said, drawing laughter from
reporters.
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda took a more guarded stance later in the
day, saying he has yet to confirm their existence.
The debate started on Tuesday when the cabinet issued a statement
in response to the opposition lawmaker's question, saying it could
not confirm any cases of UFO sightings.
Not all lawmakers are enthralled.
"Give me a break," ruling party lawmaker Toshihiro Nikai was quoted
as saying by the Yomiuri newspaper.
"There are many (other) things politics has to respond to."
