On Wednesday, a buried World War II-era bomb exploded at Miyazaki Airport, causing significant disruption but fortunately resulting in no casualties. The blast left a crater measuring approximately seven meters (23 feet) wide on a taxiway, leading to the cancellation of over 80 flights, affecting thousands of passengers. The explosion, though minor in terms of immediate impact, highlights a broader issue Japan has long grappled with: unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from the devastating conflict.
The bomb, later confirmed by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces as a 500-pound U.S. ordnance, is believed to have been dropped during World War II. At the time, the U.S. military conducted air raids to cripple Japanese airfields, including those used for launching kamikaze missions. This recent incident underscores the persistent danger posed by buried explosives, even nearly eight decades after the war’s conclusion.
“There is no threat of a second explosion, and police and firefighters are currently examining the scene,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated. He further assured the public that the airport aimed to resume operations by Thursday, minimizing further disruption. Authorities have stressed that safety procedures are being rigorously followed as a bomb disposal team continues to survey the site.
The explosion took place in the early hours of Wednesday on a taxiway at Miyazaki Airport, located in the south-western region of Kyushu Island. Fortunately, no planes were nearby, and no injuries have been reported. However, the blast caused immediate panic, leading to a full-scale investigation and grounding of flights.
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF), alongside local authorities, quickly responded, sealing off the affected area and confirming the nature of the explosion. The ordnance, a 500lb bomb, was found to be of U.S. origin, a remnant from World War II when American forces bombed military installations across Japan, including the airport which had been constructed in 1943 as an Imperial Japanese Navy base.
The airport, though now a bustling hub for domestic flights, was originally part of Japan’s wartime infrastructure. It played a role in the country’s military operations, particularly as a base for kamikaze attacks, where pilots embarked on suicide missions in a desperate bid to turn the tide of the war. These planes were often launched from southern Japan, making the region a significant target for Allied airstrikes.
The explosion at Miyazaki Airport is a stark reminder of Japan’s enduring post-war challenges. Decades after the conflict ended, the country continues to deal with the dangerous remnants of war in the form of unexploded bombs, shells, and mines.
During World War II, the United States and Allied forces dropped extensive ordnance across Japan as part of a strategic bombing campaign aimed at crippling its military infrastructure. These operations intensified during the last years of the war, particularly in 1945, when American bombers targeted not only military installations but also industrial and civilian centers. Southern Japan, including Kyushu Island, was heavily bombed due to its proximity to the Pacific theater of operations.
Miyazaki Airport was one such target. Built in 1943 by the Imperial Japanese Navy, the airfield became a focal point for launching kamikaze attacks. These suicide missions, which saw pilots flying aircraft loaded with explosives directly into enemy ships, became a desperate tactic as Japan faced defeat. The U.S. military, seeking to neutralize such operations, bombed airfields across Kyushu to disrupt kamikaze flights.
Although many bombs exploded on impact, a significant number did not detonate, leaving dangerous remnants buried beneath the surface of Japan’s cities, fields, and infrastructure. It is estimated that over 10 percent of bombs dropped during World War II failed to explode, meaning thousands of these deadly devices remain hidden across Japan, even in highly developed urban areas.
Japan has faced several incidents involving unexploded ordnance in recent decades. In fact, the recent explosion is not the first time Miyazaki Airport or its surrounding area has encountered such hazards. In 2009 and 2011, other unexploded U.S. bombs were found at nearby construction sites, underscoring the ongoing danger posed by UXO in this region.
The issue is not isolated to Miyazaki. Across Japan, UXO from World War II is regularly discovered, particularly in areas that were heavily bombed during the war. Construction workers often come across buried bombs when excavating for new buildings, roads, or other infrastructure projects.
The Japanese government, in conjunction with its Self-Defense Forces, has implemented a robust program to locate, remove, and safely dispose of unexploded bombs. According to a report from Reuters, a total of 2,348 bombs weighing 41 tonnes were disposed of across Japan in 2023 alone. Despite these efforts, experts estimate that thousands of unexploded devices may still remain buried across the country.
One of the most notable examples of Japan’s UXO problem is found in Okinawa, a southern island that was the site of one of the most intense battles of the Pacific War. Okinawa continues to uncover large quantities of unexploded bombs each year, with regular evacuations of residents and business closures when UXO is found.
The city of Tokyo, which suffered heavy bombings during the war, also continues to deal with UXO issues. In 2017, a bomb was discovered near a busy railway station, prompting the evacuation of over 1,500 people. Similarly, in 2019, construction workers in Yokohama unearthed a bomb that necessitated the evacuation of nearly 4,000 people.
These incidents serve as a reminder that while Japan has largely rebuilt itself into one of the world’s most advanced and peaceful nations, the scars of its wartime past remain just beneath the surface.
The explosion at Miyazaki Airport led to significant travel disruptions on Wednesday, with more than 80 flights canceled and several thousand passengers left stranded. The airport, a key hub for domestic flights connecting Japan’s southwestern region to the rest of the country, plays a vital role in both tourism and local business.
Miyazaki Prefecture is renowned for its natural beauty, including stunning beaches and lush forests, making it a popular destination for domestic travelers. The airport’s closure has impacted tourism, local businesses, and the wider economy, although authorities are working diligently to restore normal operations.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized the government’s commitment to reopening the airport as quickly as possible. “There is no threat of a second explosion,” Hayashi reassured the public, adding that authorities were working closely with the bomb disposal team to secure the area.
Japan’s transport minister also weighed in, noting that while it was not immediately clear when the bomb had been dropped, it was likely during World War II given the region’s history and the presence of the Imperial Navy base during the war. Local media reports have pointed to the 1940s as the most probable time period for the bomb’s deployment.
The explosion at Miyazaki Airport is a reminder that Japan, despite its rapid modernization, must continue to deal with the remnants of its wartime history. The issue of unexploded ordnance is one that many countries face, but in Japan’s case, it is particularly poignant due to the sheer scale of bombing campaigns during the latter stages of World War II.
In addition to ongoing bomb disposal efforts, Japan has implemented educational campaigns to raise public awareness about the dangers of UXO. Local governments and authorities work closely with construction companies, ensuring that workers are trained to recognize potential ordnance and know how to respond if it is discovered.
While Japan has made significant progress in removing and disposing of UXO, experts acknowledge that it will likely be a long-term challenge. Given the tens of thousands of bombs dropped on Japan during the war, and the difficulty of locating those buried deep underground, the country could be dealing with the issue for decades to come.
In recent years, technological advancements have helped in the detection and safe removal of UXO. Ground-penetrating radar and other techniques allow for the detection of buried bombs without disturbing the soil, reducing the risk of accidental explosions. These technologies have proven invaluable in urban areas, where bombs may be buried beneath homes, businesses, or other vital infrastructure.
Wednesday’s explosion at Miyazaki Airport, caused by a decades-old bomb left over from World War II, is a potent reminder of the long-lasting consequences of conflict. While no one was injured, the incident has disrupted travel, impacted local businesses, and reignited concerns about the danger posed by unexploded ordnance across Japan.
As the country continues to address this challenge, efforts by the Self-Defense Forces, government agencies, and local authorities remain crucial in ensuring the safety of its citizens. While the war ended nearly 80 years ago, the remnants of that dark chapter still pose a risk to Japan, requiring ongoing vigilance, technological innovation, and public awareness.
Miyazaki Airport is expected to resume operations soon, but the discovery of UXO at such a critical infrastructure site is a sobering reminder that Japan’s wartime history is never far away, and that the task of reconciling with that past continues, even in the most unexpected ways.
