Kofu, Japan being encounter — February 23, 1975

On the evening of February 23, 1975, two boys near Kofu, Japan, saw orange lights in the sky and followed one toward a vineyard. There they reported a small domed object resting among the vines. The boys described the craft as glowing orange, with a metallic or dull body and a transparent-looking upper section. Near it they saw two short, stocky humanoids. The figures were reported with brownish skin, large or pointed ears, small fang-like teeth and dark clothing or uniform-like garments. One figure reportedly approached. In the best-known account it touched one boy on the shoulder, causing him to collapse or become briefly incapacitated. The boys fled and alerted their families. Adults who returned to the area did not see the occupants, although unusual lights and possible impressions or damage at the site were later discussed. The story received substantial Japanese press and investigative attention. The boys produced drawings, and the distinctive entity description became widely reproduced. Those drawings are useful testimony when their original publication and authorship are clear, but later redrawn versions should not be passed off as witness originals. Skeptical interpretations have included a prank, youthful embellishment and misidentification of lights combined with an invented creature. Reported ground features were not decisive, and no craft fragment was recovered. The witnesses' age requires especially careful handling: the Atlas presents their account without sensationalizing or visually recreating physical contact. CE3 is retained because the core report describes occupants next to a landed object. The portrait shows the boys from behind, at a distance, looking toward the craft and one figure. It is an illustrative reconstruction, not evidence and not a substitute for authenticated witness drawings.