A US bombshell explosion at Miyazaki Airport in Japan resulted in the cancellation of nearly 90 flights on Wednesday. The detonation of the buried bomb caused a seven-meter-wide crater near the runway, damaging it and forcing the closure of the airport. The bomb, likely dating back to World War II, was discovered by a bomb disposal team from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported from the blast, but live camera footage showed an airplane taxiing near the explosion site prior to the incident.
Miyazaki Airport, previously a base for “kamikaze” pilots during World War II, has a history of unexploded bombs being discovered on its grounds. Despite the incident, government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that the runway is expected to reopen on Thursday following necessary repair work to fill the crater.
Several airlines, including JAL and ANA, had to cancel flights connecting Miyazaki with cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. This incident serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of World War II on Japan, with unexploded bombs from air raids still being discovered across the country more than 79 years after the war ended. In fiscal year 2023 alone, the Self-Defense Forces disposed of 2,348 bombs weighing a total of 37.5 tonnes.
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