Japan Airlines Flight 1628, a cargo flight from Paris to Tokyo, was on its route over Alaska when the crew encountered an unusual phenomenon. Captain Kenji Takasugi and First Officer Toshio Iizuka reported seeing a series of lights that changed formations and moved in a way that suggested intelligent control. The flight was at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet when the crew first spotted the lights and attempted to communicate with air traffic control to ascertain if other flights reported similar sightings. Remarkably, FAA radar confirmed the presence of unidentified objects in the vicinity, lending credibility to the flight crew's observations.

The sighting lasted about 50 minutes, and the objects appeared to track the aircraft. The flight crew demonstrated professionalism and caution, focusing on maintaining the safety of their flight while documenting the unusual encounter. Once on the ground, the incident drew significant media attention, prompting a series of investigations by the FAA and interest from UFO research groups. The situation raised questions about potential military activities and the nature of the lights witnessed by the crew.

The incident is regarded as one of the most credible UFO sightings due to its corroboration by radar. This added layer of veracity distinguished it from many other less substantiated reports. The event contributed to ongoing debates about the existence of extraterrestrial life and the nature of unidentified aerial phenomena, culminating in discussions within both scientific and governmental contexts. This intrigue was seen as part of a larger public interest in UFOs during the 1980s, a decade marked by various reported sightings and popular media culture surrounding the topic.