Buried U.S. bomb from World War II explodes at Japanese airport, cancels 80 flights
The airport is located in the southwestern part of Japan, and the explosion caused significant disruption to flight operations.
A World War II-era U.S. bomb exploded at Miyazaki Airport in southwest Japan, causing a large crater on the taxiway and leading to the cancellation of more than 80 flights. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and there were no aircraft nearby at the time of the blast.
What caused the explosion in World War II?
According to Japan’s Land and Transport Ministry, the bomb was identified as a 500-pound U.S. bomb from World War II. Although buried for decades, the reason for its sudden detonation is still under investigation by the Self-Defense Forces and local police. Officials reassured the public that there was no further danger and that the area was safe after the explosion.
Miyazaki Airport resumed its operations on Thursday (October 3, 2024) after the damage to the taxiway was repaired overnight. Videos from the scene showed a crater about 7 yards wide and 3 feet deep, evidence of the significant impact of the explosion.
How did the incident happen?
The Miyazaki fire department received a call at 7:59 a.m., reporting smoke coming from the airport. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries, and emergency services quickly secured the area. A video captured by a nearby aviation school recorded the moment the explosion sent pieces of asphalt flying into the air.
More than 80 flights were cancelled because of the explosion. The airport had hoped to restart services later that day but needed time to repair the damage.
Why are these bombs still in Japan?
Miyazaki Airport was built during World War II in 1943 and served as an Imperial Japanese Navy flight training field. Some pilots who took off from this base participated in suicide attack missions, known as kamikaze operations. Many areas in Japan, especially those involved in military activities, were heavily bombed by the U.S. during the war.
Over the years, hundreds of unexploded bombs dropped by U.S. forces during the war have been discovered across Japan. Defense Ministry officials stated that the region around Miyazaki has seen several such discoveries. Similar unexploded bombs were found in 2009 and 2011 at nearby construction sites.
While this incident may seem unusual, Japan regularly deals with the discovery of unexploded bombs from World War II. These bombs are often found during construction projects. In 2023 alone, Japan’s Self-Defense Force disposed of over 2,300 bombs, weighing a total of 41 tons. This shows that although the war ended nearly 80 years ago, its leftover still pose risks.
Historical background
World War II left a legacy of destruction in many parts of the world. From 1941 to 1945, Japan and the United States were fierce adversaries. The U.S. conducted heavy bombing campaigns on Japanese cities, military installations, and airports. Many of these bombs failed to explode upon impact, remaining buried for decades. Since the war, Japan has carefully managed these dangerous remnants, but as this recent event shows, the threat hasn’t completely disappeared.
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