WWII-Era U.S. Bomb Explodes at Japanese Airport, Disrupting Flights

The explosion occurred despite the bomb having been buried underground since the war, highlighting ongoing concerns about wartime remnants across Japan.

Tokyo, Japan — An unexploded World War II-era bomb detonated at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan on Wednesday, creating a large crater on the airport’s taxiway and resulting in the cancellation of over 80 flights, according to Japanese officials.

No injuries were reported, and no aircraft were in the vicinity when the 500-pound U.S. bomb suddenly exploded, stated the Land and Transport Ministry. The explosion occurred despite the bomb having been buried underground since the war, highlighting ongoing concerns about wartime remnants across Japan.

A subsequent investigation by the Self-Defense Forces and police confirmed that the blast was caused by the U.S. ordnance, and officials assured the public there was no further danger. Authorities are now probing the cause of the unexpected detonation.

A video recorded by a nearby aviation school captured the moment of the explosion, showing pieces of asphalt being thrown into the air. Footage broadcast on Japanese television displayed a crater on the taxiway, which was reported to be approximately 7 meters (23 feet) in diameter and 1 meter (3 feet) deep.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced that more than 80 flights had been canceled as of Wednesday afternoon. However, repairs to the damaged taxiway were completed overnight, and normal flight operations resumed on Thursday morning.

Miyazaki Airport, constructed in 1943 as a former Imperial Japanese Navy flight training field, was used as a launch site for several suicide attack missions during the war. Many unexploded bombs dropped by the U.S. military have since been discovered in the area, according to Defense Ministry officials.