TOKYO

In a startling incident on October 2, Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan was forced to shut down after a World War II-era bomb exploded near its runway, resulting in the cancellation of 87 flights. This dangerous event highlights the lingering presence of unexploded ordnance from the war, as the bomb is believed to have been dropped to counter kamikaze attacks during this tumultuous period in history.

The explosion created a substantial crater measuring 7 meters wide and 1 meter deep in the taxiway adjacent to the runway, as confirmed by a Japanese Transport Ministry official. Emergency bomb disposal teams from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force quickly determined that the incident was caused by an American bomb, long buried beneath the surface, likely a remnant of wartime air raids.

While no injuries were reported, alarming footage revealed that an aircraft had been taxiing in the vicinity just minutes before the explosion occurred—an unnerving reminder of the dangers posed by unexploded bombs.

All affected flights, primarily operated by Japan Airlines (JAL), All Nippon Airways (ANA), and other carriers connecting Miyazaki to major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, were suspended due to the closure. However, there remains no immediate threat of further explosions, and necessary repairs to fill the crater are expected to be completed by the morning of October 3, as stated by Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s chief government spokesperson.

Miyazaki Airport, strategically located on the southeast end of Kyushu island, had served as a Japanese navy base during WWII—a poignant site where countless young kamikaze pilots embarked on their fateful missions. The area has a history of unearthed explosives, with multiple instances of unexploded bombs discovered at the airport over the years.

Astoundingly, even more than 79 years after the conclusion of World War II, Japan continues to contend with the repercussions of intense aerial bombardment. In fiscal year 2023 alone, the Self-Defense Forces reported the disposal of a staggering 2,348 bombs, weighing a total of 37.5 tonnes, underscoring the ongoing challenge of safely managing these dangerous relics of the past.

As the country grapples with the residual threats from the war, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the enduring legacy of historical conflicts and their hidden dangers in Japan today.