TOKYO — A regional airport in southwest Japan was closed on Wednesday after a U.S. bombshell, most likely dropped during World War II to stem “kamikaze” attacks, exploded near its runway, causing nearly 90 flight cancellations.
Miyazaki Airport shut its runway after the explosion caused a crater 23 feet wide and nearly 3 feet deep in the middle of the taxiway next to the runway, according to a Japanese transport ministry official.
No injuries were reported, but live cam footage showed an airplane had been taxiing nearby just two minutes before the explosion, according to local broadcaster MRT.
Multiple unexploded bombs have previously been found at Miyazaki airport, the transport ministry official said.
More than 79 years since the end of the war, unexploded bombs from the intense airstrikes are still found across Japan today.
Persons:
Yoshimasa Hayashi
Organizations:
Miyazaki, Defense Force, JAL, ANA, Self - Defense Forces
Locations:
TOKYO, Japan, U.S, American, Miyazaki, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Kyushu