A World War II-era bomb exploded at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan on Wednesday, creating a crater on a taxiway and leading to the cancellation of more than 80 flights. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and no aircraft were in the vicinity at the time of the blast.
The explosion left a hole approximately seven meters (23 feet) wide in the taxiway. Authorities believe the bomb was dropped by the United States during World War II as part of efforts to halt “kamikaze” missions—suicide attacks carried out by Japanese pilots during the final stages of the war.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reassured the public, stating, “There is no threat of a second explosion, and police and firefighters are currently examining the scene.” He added that the airport is expected to resume operations on Thursday.
A bomb disposal team from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces identified the explosive as a 500-pound US bomb, confirming it as the source of the blast. While the exact date the bomb was dropped remains unclear, local media speculated it was most likely from World War II.
Miyazaki Airport, located on the southeastern coast of Kyushu island, was originally built in 1943 as a base for the Imperial Japanese Navy. The airport now serves as a key transport hub in the region, which was heavily targeted by US forces during the war.
This is not the first time unexploded ordnance has been discovered in the area. In both 2009 and 2011, similar bombs were found at a nearby construction site, underscoring the ongoing presence of wartime remnants across Japan.
Unexploded bombs from World War II continue to be unearthed throughout the country. According to Reuters, a total of 2,348 bombs weighing 41 tonnes were safely disposed of by authorities in 2023 alone. These remnants of the war pose occasional hazards, as many remain buried in densely populated or frequently traveled areas.
Despite the inconvenience caused by Wednesday’s explosion, the swift response by Japanese authorities helped prevent any casualties or further damage. As efforts continue to clear remaining wartime explosives, authorities are confident that operations at Miyazaki Airport will return to normal on Thursday. The incident serves as a reminder of the long-lasting impact of World War II, even decades after the conflict ended.