Record of Interview with JAL First Officer

This document is a transcript of an interview conducted on January 5, 1987, at the Federal Building in Anchorage, Alaska. The interview was led by FAA Inspector Peter E. Beckner, with the assistance of interpreter Sayoko Mimoto, to gather testimony from JAL First Officer Takanori Tamefuji regarding a UAP sighting that occurred on November 17, 1986. Throughout the interview, Tamefuji describes his experience during the flight, noting that he and the Captain observed lights that they initially interpreted as head-on air traffic. Tamefuji explains that he was the flying pilot and had to balance monitoring instruments with observing the exterior. He describes the lights as luminous, with colors including red, orange, white, and weak green, and notes that they appeared to be in a close formation. He emphasizes that the lights were 'too many' and 'too luminous' to be standard aircraft navigation lights. Regarding radar, Tamefuji confirms that the aircraft's color radar picked up large green echos at a range of approximately 20 miles, which later closed to 7-8 miles. He states that he has significant experience identifying aircraft on radar and that these echos appeared similar to other traffic, though larger. Tamefuji denies that the sighting was a reflection from the cockpit and maintains that the sky was clear, ruling out weather interference. He also discusses the confusion regarding 'garbling' on the ATC tapes, attributing it to his own English proficiency rather than technical interference. The interview concludes with Tamefuji expressing certainty that he saw something, which he initially believed to be an oncoming aircraft, and Inspector Beckner promising to follow up on the results of military radar analysis.