Unexpected blasts from the past can sometimes be tragic reminders of history. This was true for travelers at Miyazaki Airport on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on October 2, 2024, when the unsuspecting remnants of World War II suddenly resurfaced. An unexploded U.S. bomb, likely buried since the end of the war, detonated early Wednesday morning, wreaking havoc on the airport operations.
The explosion occurred around 7:59 AM local time just off the main taxiway, leaving behind a gaping crater about 7 meters (or 23 feet) wide and approximately 1 meter (3.2 feet) deep. While there were fortunately no injuries reported, the incident had far-reaching effects, resulting in the cancellation of 87 flights throughout the day. Airlines such as Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) were among those affected, with connections to major cities including Tokyo and Osaka disrupted.
This isn’t the first time Miyazaki Airport has dealt with the legacy of World War II. The airport itself was constructed as part of Japan’s military strategy during the war; it functioned as a base for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Some kamikaze pilots took off from this very site, heading off on their fateful missions during the war’s final stages. Officials noted there had been previous discoveries of unexploded bombs at the airport, but the sudden detonation of this one came as a shock.
Japanese government sources, including Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, provided reassurances shortly after the explosion. Hayashi communicated to the media, stating, “There is no threat of a second explosion,” as bomb disposal teams from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force were dispatched to investigate the area and secure it for safety. Evidence of the blast, captured on live camera footage, displayed asphalt being propelled skyward—an indication of the bomb's power and the surprise with which it had detonated.
Although no flights were operating when the bomb exploded, local broadcasters showed footage of aircraft whooshing by the nearby blast area just minutes before. This eerie reminder of the past leaves many wondering about the safety and the legacy of unexploded ordnance around the country. Though the self-defense forces are now actively investigating the cause of the unexpected explosion, it remains unclear why this bomb detonated after lying dormant for so long.
The potential hazards posed by World War II remnants aren't unique to this incident at Miyazaki Airport; this situation is reflective of a broader issue across Japan. Decades after the war's end, the nation grapples with the presence of numerous unexploded bombs. According to reports, officials revealed more than 2,000 tons of unexploded ordnance are lying dormant, hidden under various sites across the country, often resurfacing during construction or routine land work. During the last fiscal year alone, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces disposed of approximately 2,348 unexploded bombs weighing over 41 tons, highlighting the persistent issue of historical conflict remnants.
The Miyazaki incident serves as both a stark reminder of World War II's enduring legacies and the necessity of continued diligence to protect public safety. Officials hope to have the airport operational by Thursday morning, allowing travel to resume as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, the explosion echoes the broader risks associated with unexploded ordnance, forcing communities to find ways to coexist with the vestiges of their turbulent past.
This episode may well spark renewed debates about how Japan manages its wartime legacy and the precautions necessary to mitigate future threats posed by such artifacts.
