World War II bomb dropped by U.S. explodes at Japanese airport

An unexploded U.S. bomb from World War II suddenly detonated at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan on Wednesday.

The blast caused significant disruption, as it left a large crater in a taxiway and forced the cancellation of more than 80 flights, but there were no casualties.

The bomb, which had remained buried at the site since the war, suddenly exploded although there were no aircraft nearby, according to Japan’s Land and Transport Ministry.

Officials have confirmed that the blast was caused by a 500-pound U.S. bomb but they assured the public that there is now no cause for concern.

Investigators, including Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and police, are now working to determine what triggered the bomb’s sudden detonation after it had lain dormant for decades.

Video footage captured by a nearby aviation school showed the force of the blast, with pieces of asphalt spewing into the air like a fountain. Japanese television aired dramatic images of a crater on the taxiway, which reportedly measured about 7 meters (23 feet) in diameter and 1 meter (3 feet) deep.

An investigation into the blast is ongoing, with officials working to ensure that the site is thoroughly secured.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced that over 80 flights had been canceled as a precaution, severely affecting travel in the region. Authorities are hopeful that operations at Miyazaki Airport can resume as soon as Thursday morning.

The airfield at Miyazaki was originally built in 1943 as a flight training facility for the Imperial Japanese Navy and kamikaze pilots launched suicide missions from there during the final stages of World War II. The surrounding area has seen a number of unexploded bombs unearthed over the years, a legacy of missions carried out by U.S. forces during the conflict.

The issue of unexploded ordnance from World War II remains a pressing concern for Japan, with hundreds of tons of bombs still buried across the country. These hidden relics occasionally come to light during construction projects and other activities, posing a significant risk to public safety.

This latest incident is a stark reminder that, even decades after the end of World War II, remnants of the conflict continue to have a tangible impact on daily life in Japan. While these bombs are typically discovered under controlled conditions, their unpredictable nature, as highlighted by Wednesday’s incident, shows the importance of continued vigilance and robust safety measures.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.