TOKAMACHI, Niigata Pref. -- Uninformed visitors to Tokamachi might be forgiven for thinking the small, central Niigata Prefecture city has a problem with UFOs.
An entertaining explanation for the aerial invasions -- reportedly less common in winter when deep snow makes for perilous landing conditions -- can be found at a local sushi restaurant.
Chef Fumihiko Kobayashi exchanges his knife for a flat object carved in the shape of a popular "Pokemon" character and hurls it above the heads of sushi-munching customers.