Laser Squirrels in Fukushima?
Abandoned Tech Sparks Unusual Wildlife Threat
By KENJI NAKAMURA
Associated Press | FUKUSHIMA, Japan
FUKUSHIMA, Japan (AP) – Residents in the outskirts of Fukushima Prefecture have reported strange sightings of small, laser-emitting creatures in the forests near the abandoned reactor site—sparking concerns that leftover experimental technology from Japan’s robotics industry may have been co-opted by an unexpected group: squirrels.
Did Experimental Tech Fall Into the Wrong Paws?
Japan has long been at the forefront of robotics and miniaturized technology, including early prototypes of self-guided environmental sensors. Some of these projects, deployed after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, aimed to monitor radiation levels in wildlife habitats—but were eventually decommissioned as funding and research shifted elsewhere.
“We believe some of these abandoned units—particularly thermal imaging and tracking sensors—were left in remote areas of the Exclusion Zone,” said Dr. Takeshi Murai, a researcher specializing in Fukushima’s post-disaster ecosystem.
“The most likely explanation is that squirrels nested inside the equipment, gnawed through wiring, and inadvertently reactivated certain systems. Some of these old prototypes had experimental energy sources designed to last for decades, so it’s entirely possible that a few units are still functioning in some unintended capacity.”
Villagers Report Strange Nighttime Lights
For locals, the phenomenon has gone from a curiosity to a full-blown nuisance.
“I thought someone was shining a laser pointer through the trees,” said 58-year-old farmer Hiroshi Takamura. “But then I saw the shape of a squirrel, its head glowing red, and a second later, there was a small burnt spot on my wooden fence.”
Other residents describe similar sightings, often at dusk or dawn, when the creatures appear most active.
Officials Attempting to Track 'Laser Squirrels'
The Fukushima Forestry and Wildlife Agency is now working alongside technology experts and former robotics researchers to locate and disable any remaining active laser units. Thermal imaging drones have reportedly picked up at least 20 anomalous heat signatures matching the size and movement of small mammals in the affected areas.
Officials caution that while the animals do not appear dangerous, direct exposure to the laser output could pose a fire risk in dry conditions.
“The best course of action is to let us handle this,” said agency spokesperson Ryo Tanaka. “We are working on safely retrieving these animals and removing the malfunctioning technology. We strongly urge the public not to approach or attempt to capture them.”
Internet Theories, Cover-Up Allegations, and the 'Laser Ninja Squirrel' Craze
As with any unexplained phenomenon, the internet has latched onto the “Laser Squirrels of Fukushima,” spawning a flood of memes, conspiracy theories, and viral content.
Videos claiming to show squirrels perched on power lines, emitting short laser pulses into the night have surfaced on Japanese social media, though experts say many are likely edited footage or optical illusions.
Meanwhile, others are questioning whether this is truly accidental.
“It’s hard to believe that a bunch of squirrels randomly figured out how to operate industrial-grade tracking lasers,” said one anonymous commenter on a popular Japanese tech forum. “Is this really just a glitch? Or was some long-forgotten experiment buried after the disaster, and now we’re seeing its unintended consequences?”
Others are embracing the absurdity, with one Tokyo-based startup already producing T-shirts featuring a stylized “Laser Ninja Squirrel” logo, complete with a glowing red headpiece and the phrase: 'Fear the Fuzzy Assassin.’
What’s Next?
While official investigations continue, authorities are urging calm and common sense.
“We understand the public’s concern,” said Tanaka. “But these are still just squirrels. They’re not plotting against us. They’re just carrying technology that was never meant for them.”
For now, Fukushima’s forests remain under close watch, as teams work to track and disable the rogue devices.
Until then, residents are advised to remain vigilant—and if they see a squirrel with glowing red eyes and an unsettlingly precise aim, stay out of its way.
Related: Fears of a Godzilla-Squirrel Hybrid? Scientists Weigh In
As if laser-equipped squirrels terrorizing Fukushima's forests weren’t enough, a growing online conspiracy suggests an even more catastrophic possibility—cross-breeding between the affected squirrels and the legendary Kaiju, Godzilla.
Yes, you read that correctly.
The theory, circulating on fringe internet forums and gaining traction among social media’s more enthusiastic speculators, suggests that exposure to lingering radiation near the Fukushima Exclusion Zone could cause genetic anomalies, leading to a new species of super-sized, laser-equipped, rampaging rodents.
How Likely Is a Godzilla-Squirrel?
“Not at all,” says Dr. Takeshi Murai, a genetics researcher at Kyoto University.
“First of all, Godzilla is not real. Let’s get that out of the way. But even if we entertain the metaphorical aspect—large, radiation-mutated creatures—it doesn’t hold up. Mammalian genetics don’t function that way. You don’t just expose a squirrel to radiation and expect it to turn into a fire-breathing skyscraper menace.”
Murai also clarified that squirrels and giant prehistoric reptiles are not, in any way, compatible species.
“I can’t believe I have to say this, but squirrels and Godzilla cannot mate. That’s not how reproductive biology works. They are as different as a jellyfish and a Toyota.”
Then Why Are People Worried?
Fear of mutation and uncontrolled crossbreeding is a long-standing trope in Japanese culture, heavily influenced by postwar anxieties surrounding nuclear energy. In the public imagination, stories of radioactive anomalies gone wrong—from Godzilla to speculative urban myths—have often carried a cautionary undertone about scientific hubris.
The idea of a supercharged, laser-blasting squirrel the size of a building may not be biologically possible, but it taps into the same deep-seated fears that made Kaiju films so resonant in Japan.
That hasn’t stopped a handful of local residents from expressing concerns.
“If they can already shoot lasers, who’s to say they won’t grow bigger?” asked one anonymous poster on a Tokyo-based conspiracy forum. “Nature finds a way.”
For now, scientists reassure the public that the Laser Squirrels of Fukushima—while highly unusual—remain normal in size and pose no threat of Kaiju-style destruction.
But just in case, officials have not ruled out implementing squirrel containment measures if their behavior escalates.
Because, as one government source admitted off the record,
"We’ve been wrong about stranger things before."
Apologies for just scrolling past that squirrel story…with a cynical eye roll, until you asked if I clicked on it. Well, that made it all the more hilarious. 🫡💪🤣You mean, it’s fake.😮😜🤩😂Godzilla size, lazer wielding, ninja rodents absolutely made the entire weekend more lighthearted.
Thank you for restacking!