Tokyo, October 4, 2024 – An unexploded U.S. bomb from World War II detonated unexpectedly at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan on Wednesday, creating a large crater in a taxiway and causing the cancellation of more than 80 flights, officials confirmed.
The explosion, which occurred without any injuries, happened at a time when no aircraft were nearby. Japan’s Land and Transport Ministry stated that the blast was caused by a 500-pound bomb left over from U.S. air raids during the war. Authorities, including Self-Defense Forces and police, launched an investigation to determine the cause of the sudden detonation.
A video captured by a nearby aviation school recorded the moment of the explosion, showing asphalt debris flying into the air. Japanese news outlets broadcast footage of the resulting crater, which measured about 7 meters (23 feet) wide and 1 meter (3 feet) deep.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi reported that over 80 flights had been canceled by midafternoon Wednesday due to damage. However, the airport confirmed that repairs were completed overnight, allowing flights to resume the following morning.
Miyazaki Airport, originally built in 1943 as a naval training field, was once a base for suicide missions during the war. The area has previously seen the discovery of unexploded ordnance from U.S. bombing campaigns. Japanese Defense Ministry officials noted that remnants of hundreds of tons of unexploded bombs still exist across Japan, occasionally unearthed during construction.
Though the airport has returned to normal operations, the event underscores the enduring legacy of World War II and the continued challenges posed by unexploded munitions throughout the region.
