A magnetic survey found this World War II-era unexploded bomb near the runway at Miyako Airport in Okinawa prefecture, Dec. 16, 2025. (Okinawa prefecture)
Okinawa authorities discovered a U.S.-made bomb believed to date to World War II during an airport safety survey on a southern Japanese island, the first ordnance found in a series of inspections launched after an explosion last year.
The 110-pound bomb was found late Tuesday by contractors conducting a magnetic survey at Miyako Airport on Miyakojima, about 185 miles southwest of Okinawa’s main island, a spokesman for the prefecture’s Airport Division said by phone Thursday.
The device was buried about 3 feet below a grassy area nearly 90 feet from the runway, he said. It is about 2 ½ feet long, according to a photo provided by the prefecture.
The bomb is not considered at risk of detonating and has been secured with sandbags while officials determine a disposal timeline, the spokesman said. The discovery marks the first ordnance found during the Miyakojima survey, which began in August and is slated to conclude in February.
Japan has expanded airport surveys nationwide following an October 2024 explosion at Miyazaki Airport on the southern island of Kyushu, where an old shell detonated. A government survey there concluded on March 28 and found no additional unexploded ordnance, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Magnetic surveys at Naha, Matsuyama and Fukuoka airports have been extended through March, while inspections and Sendai Airport are expected to finish in February, the ministry said. No ordnance has been found at these airports so far.
Unexploded ordnance from the 1945 Battle of Okinawa continues to surface across the island prefecture. On Dec. 8, four suspected U.S.-made white phosphorous grenades emitting smoke were discovered at a construction site in Naha, Okinawa’s capital. No injuries were reported, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force removed the grenades the following morning, police said.
In another incident Nov. 11, Japan’s 101st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit defused a U.S.-made 5-inch shell near a golf driving range in Itoman city, local officials said.
Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, crews disposed of nearly 13 tons of unexploded ordnance left behind from WWII on Okinawa, according to prefectural data.
Some Japanese government officials must speak to the press on condition of anonymity.
AloJapan.com