World War II-Era Bomb Explodes at Japanese Airport

Photo Credit: ブルーノ・プラス / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo Credit: ブルーノ・プラス / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0

It’s not an uncommon occurrence for World War II-era munitions to be found throughout Japan, but locating one at an airport is definitely unexpected – and worrying. That’s exactly what happened at Miyazaki Airport, leading to the cancellation of more than 80 flights.

Exterior of Miyazaki Airport
Miyazaki Airport. (Photo Credit: Sanjo / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

The 500-pound American bomb was buried beneath the taxiway of Miyazaki Airport, in southwestern Japan, and detonated on October 2, 2024. According to officials, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and police launched an investigation into why the explosive went off.

Media coverage showed a crater in the middle of the taxiway, near the runway, that was reportedly seven meters wide and one meter deep. No injuries were reported, and there weren’t any aircraft nearby when the detonation took place. That being said, video footage shows an airliner taxiing by the area just two minutes before the detonation.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told the media, “There is no threat of a second explosion.”

Miyazaki Airport was built in 1943, and it was used by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as a flight training field. In 1945, it became a kamikaze base, with a reported 47 aircraft taking off on missions, including during the Battle of Okinawa.

At present, it’s believed the bomb was dropped during an American air raid at some point during the Second World War.

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The aim is to resume regular operations at Miyazaki Airport by Thursday morning.

Clare Fitzgerald

Clare Fitzgerald is a Writer and Editor with eight years of experience in the online content sphere. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from King’s University College at Western University, her portfolio includes coverage of digital media, current affairs, history and true crime.

Among her accomplishments are being the Founder of the true crime blog, Stories of the Unsolved, which garners between 400,000 and 500,000 views annually, and a contributor for John Lordan’s Seriously Mysterious podcast. Prior to its hiatus, she also served as the Head of Content for UK YouTube publication, TenEighty Magazine.

In her spare time, Clare likes to play Pokemon GO and re-watch Heartland over and over (and over) again. She’ll also rave about her three Maltese dogs whenever she gets the chance.

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