Preventing Repeated Bomb Explosions Remaining In World War, Japan Conducts Search At Miyazaki Airport

The hole was caused by an explosion at Miyazaki Airport, Japan. (Twitter/@NetAxisGroup)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation said it would examine Miyazaki Airport in southwest Japan to look for other bombs remaining from World War II that have not exploded.

The search came after a bomb exploded on the airport runway, causing dozens of flights to be canceled earlier this week.

"This is something that could affect aviation safety," Transport Minister total Saito told a news conference announcing the move, according to Kyodo News Oct. 4.

The ministry will conduct a magnetic survey around the runway in addition to the runway and airport aprons as early as Monday. The survey will not affect the flight schedule, he said.

The minister added that he had also instructed officials to consider surveys at other airports, including Sendai, Fukuoka and Naha.

A 250 kilogram bomb exploded at Miyazaki Airport on Wednesday, leaving asphalt debris strewn within a radius of about 200 meters, including the runway.

Two minutes before the explosion occurred, an airplane passed near the location. Luckily, there were no casualties from the incident.

It is known that Miyazaki Airport, located on Kyushu Island, which previously served as an air base for the Imperial Japan Navy, has been the location of several unexploded US bomb discoveries from World War II. Two bombs were discovered in 2011, followed by one more bomb in 2021, quoted from Anadolu.

Apart from Miyazaki Airport, unexploded bombs were also found at Naha and Sendai airports.