500-lb US WWII bomb explodes at Japan’s Miyazaki Airport, leaving 23-ft crater

A buried World War II-era U.S. bomb detonated unexpectedly on Wednesday at Miyazaki Airport in southwestern Japan, creating a large crater on a taxiway and leading to the cancellation of over 80 flights, according to Japanese officials.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and there were no aircraft near the site when the explosion occurred.

Japanese officials, including those from the Land and Transport Ministry, are still investigating the cause of the bomb’s sudden detonation.

Sudden explosion leaves taxiway damaged

The 500-pound U.S. bomb from World War II exploded without warning, sending asphalt debris flying into the air, as captured in video footage from a nearby aviation school.

Additional footage aired on Japanese television displayed a crater approximately 23 feet wide (around 7 meters) and 3 feet deep (1 meter), marking the area of the explosion.

The airport, originally constructed in 1943 as an Imperial Japanese Navy flight training facility, was the site of several wartime events. Some pilots launched suicide attack missions from this location during the war.

Over time, many unexploded bombs have been found in the area over time, and Wednesday’s blast highlights the ongoing danger from remnants of the war.

Following the blast, investigators from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and police confirmed that the cause was indeed the 500-pound bomb. They reassured the public that there was no further threat in the immediate area.

However, they have yet to determine what caused the bomb to suddenly detonate after decades of being buried.

Flights canceled, operations resumed quickly

As the explosion disrupted the airport’s taxiway, over 80 flights were canceled, according to Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi. The impact on flight schedules was significant, but airport officials moved quickly to repair the damage.

The repairs were completed overnight, and flight operations resumed by Thursday morning, minimizing further delays.

The presence of unexploded bombs in Japan is not an isolated issue. Hundreds of tons of bombs dropped during World War II remain buried throughout the country, often discovered at construction sites or, in rare cases like this, causing unexpected disturbances.

Miyazaki Airport itself has a history of unexploded ordinance. Similar bombs were found in the vicinity in 2009 and 2011, during local construction projects.

According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, the country regularly deals with leftover ordnance from World War II. In 2023 alone, over 2,300 bombs weighing a total of 41 tons were disposed of by bomb disposal teams, making it clear that these remnants of the war continue to pose a hazard.

Japan’s ongoing challenge with unexploded ordinance

Built on the island of Kyushu, the airport occupies a strategic and historical location. Its military past, including its role as a training base for the Imperial Japanese Navy, means that the surrounding region saw significant action during World War II.

Consequently, unexploded bombs are often discovered as urban development projects continue or as aging infrastructure is replaced.

Bombs dropped by the U.S. during World War II have left a lasting impact, not just at Miyazaki but across the nation. Thousands of bombs remain undiscovered or are periodically unearthed during routine construction work.

The discovery and controlled disposal of unexploded bombs is a common task for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, who take on the delicate responsibility of safely removing these dangerous relics of the past. The bomb that exploded on Wednesday, however, detonated before it could be found, causing concern but fortunately no casualties.