Japan SDF members hurt in blast near US air base in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan (Kyodo) — An explosion occurred Monday near the U.S. military’s Kadena Air Base in the southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, slightly injuring four Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members who were working at a depot, local and Defense Ministry officials said.

The ministry officials said there was an unidentified explosion while SDF personnel were preparing for bomb disposal operations, causing those in close proximity to suffer finger lacerations and possible hearing damage.