Japan's top government spokesperson says Japan would respond appropriately if it obtains information that objects referred to as UFOs could affect the country's defense.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu made the remark at a news conference on Monday, while commenting on a recent US government report on UFOs.

The report said there have been more than 140 observations of what the US government officially calls "unidentified aerial phenomena" since 2004, but it said the government has yet to determine exactly what they are.

Kato was asked about the need for the Japanese government to study such phenomena.

He answered that if Japan gets information about any threat to national defense and security, it will take an appropriate response, including duties of surveillance and response to airspace violations. He said this policy applies to unidentified flying objects.

He also said, "Unfortunately, I have never encountered nor sighted any UFO."

Source: ANNnewsCH