According to local media, a metal sphere that confused locals and sparked a lot of rumors after it washed up on a beach in Japan has been taken away. .
Images demonstrated a massive sphere being lifted by a heavy lifting device.
It will be kept "for a specific amount of time" before being "disposed of," according to Hamamatsu local officials. .
But many have also questioned why Japanese authorities have not publicly identified what it is.
Early this week, after a local called police to report the strange object on the shore, interest in the object—dubbed "Godzilla egg," "mooring buoy," and "from outer space"—began.
The object was sent for inspection by police and even a bomb squad.
Authorities surrounded the area and performed X-ray tests, which revealed little more than a confirmation that the object was secure.
It's been taken away now.
A local official told Japanese media, "I think everyone in Hamamatsu City was worried and curious about what it was about, but I'm relieved that the work is over.".
Many people on social media also questioned why Japanese officials did not clarify what it is. Others have expressed shame at the entire incident.
In one tweet, a ball buoy was described as "I can't believe officials from a country surrounded by ocean don't recognize a ball buoy.". .
It's a steel mooring buoy, people, OMG. Another person remarked, "I'm ashamed to be Japanese.
It is believed to be a foreign-made buoy, according to the local civil engineering office in Hamamatsu. .
Oceanographer Prof. Mark Inall of the Scottish Association for Marine Science claimed to have known what it was "instantly.".
He told the BBC that it was easily recognizable. "We employ them to maintain instruments afloat in the sea. ".
He continued that they frequently wash ashore in Scotland.
In spite of the fact that Professor Inall expressed surprise that the metal sphere was not recognized sooner, he admitted that the general public might not have known what it was. .
It might be mistaken for a World War II mine dot. However, those would have protruding spikes, the man said.
The items, he continued, can float in the ocean for decades before washing up on shore, where they may lose their markings and become rusted. .
According to Professor Inall, the buoys can escape their anchorage either during a strong storm or when they are being pulled by a large fishing boat. .
The response of the Japanese government to the metal sphere was as intriguing as the object itself. .
In the midst of this increased anxiety, the mysterious ball washed up. The effects of North Korea's recent missile activity were being discussed last week in Japanese media.
A nuclear-capable ballistic missile (ICBM) made landfall in Japanese territorial waters on Saturday. Following joint military drills between the United States and its allies in East Asia on Monday, North Korea launched two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan.
Additionally, there is the issue of Chinese spy balloons. For the first time in four years, Chinese and Japanese officials held security consultations on Wednesday in Tokyo, during which Japan voiced its concerns regarding the surveillance balloons. .
At least three unidentified flying objects were spotted over this country's territorial skies between 2019 and 2021, and the government said last week that it was "strongly suspected" that China was the source of those objects. .
Beijing refuted espionage claims and admonished Tokyo to stop escalating Chinese threats in line with Washington. .
It is understandable why there is such a flurry of speculation in Japan given the tense background of geopolitical events and perceived threats from its neighbors. .
"In light of recent events dot. I could see why there would be interest in a floating object that hasn't been named, said Professor Inall.
