TOKYO — A recent explosion at a storage site for unexploded ordnance (UXO) at a U.S. military base on Okinawa, Japan, has left four Japanese soldiers with non-life-threatening injuries, according to local officials. The explosion occurred at a munitions storage area at Kadena Air Base, a site managed by the Okinawa prefectural government, which temporarily stores unexploded ordnance primarily from wartime operations. Although the incident has raised alarm, the injuries sustained by the soldiers are not expected to be fatal.
The explosion, which occurred on Sunday, June 8, 2025, while the soldiers were working at the facility, has drawn attention to the continuing presence of unexploded bombs in Okinawa, many of which remain from the intense and devastating battle of Okinawa during World War II. Despite efforts to clear the area of these dangerous remnants of war, accidents like the one that occurred Sunday are not uncommon, as unexploded ordnance continues to pose significant risks for residents and military personnel alike.
Officials reported that the four soldiers sustained injuries to their fingers while inspecting one of the unexploded ordnances. Although the injuries are not life-threatening, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the ordnance left behind by the intense fighting on the island during the final stages of World War II. It is estimated that hundreds of tons of unexploded wartime bombs still remain buried throughout Okinawa, particularly in and around Kadena Air Base.
While details regarding the exact cause of the explosion are still under investigation, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) stated that the blast occurred while the soldiers were attempting to remove rust from a bomb in order to inspect its details. According to reports, the soldiers were working to assess the ordnance when the explosion unexpectedly took place. The SDF is continuing to investigate the precise conditions that led to the accident, but initial reports suggest that it was the accidental detonation of an unexploded device.
Kadena Air Base, one of the largest U.S. military facilities in the Pacific, has long been associated with the storage and handling of unexploded ordnance left over from wartime activities. In fact, many of these unexploded bombs were dropped by U.S. military forces during World War II and have remained on the island since then, hidden beneath the surface or buried in construction areas. Local authorities have been working for years to address the problem of unexploded ordnance, but the threat remains ever-present in Okinawa and across Japan.
The U.S. Air Force, in a statement issued on Monday, confirmed that the explosion occurred inside the facility managed by the Okinawa prefectural government. The Air Force noted that none of its servicemembers were involved in the incident, though the explosion took place in an area where the U.S. military and local authorities often collaborate in the storage and disposal of unexploded ordnance. The U.S. military has long maintained a partnership with Japan to clear these dangerous remnants of the war, but despite their efforts, accidents like the one on Sunday continue to occur.
Okinawa, which saw some of the most brutal fighting during World War II, remains a site where large quantities of unexploded bombs continue to be discovered. According to local reports, approximately 1,856 tons of unexploded U.S. bombs are believed to remain on the island, and the Japanese government has estimated that several tons of bombs are discovered every year. The risk of detonations during construction projects, as well as when locals or military personnel are involved in routine activities like digging or excavation, is a continuing danger.
This explosion is not the first time that unexploded ordnance has caused a major incident in Japan. Just last October, an unexploded U.S. wartime bomb detonated at a commercial airport in southern Japan, causing a large crater and disrupting dozens of flights. These types of incidents underscore the ongoing threat posed by the unexploded ordnance left behind by wartime bombing campaigns.
Japan has faced significant challenges in dealing with the legacy of wartime ordnance. The risk is particularly acute in Okinawa, which was the site of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Between April and June 1945, more than 200,000 people died, including approximately 100,000 civilians, and large areas of the island were left in ruins. The fighting was so intense that many bombs dropped by both Japanese and U.S. forces failed to detonate and remain buried across the island to this day.
Local residents have long been accustomed to the discovery of unexploded ordnance, particularly in areas undergoing construction or renovation. In fact, it is not uncommon for construction workers and other individuals to come across unexploded bombs while digging or working on sites. However, due to the potential for these devices to detonate, they are handled with great caution, and both the Japanese and U.S. governments have taken steps to remove as much unexploded ordnance as possible. Still, the work remains slow and hazardous.
In the aftermath of the explosion on Sunday, the Okinawa Prefectural Police and the Self-Defense Forces have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident. Local officials have expressed their concern about the safety of those working with unexploded ordnance and are calling for greater caution and vigilance in handling these dangerous remnants of war. The community, still grappling with the effects of wartime destruction, remains anxious about the ongoing threat of ordnance that has yet to be cleared.
Though the four soldiers’ injuries were not life-threatening, this incident underscores the very real dangers of living in and around a region marked by the scars of war. It also highlights the continuing need for thorough and comprehensive efforts to ensure the safe removal of unexploded ordnance from populated areas.
As the investigation continues, the incident has sparked renewed conversations about the long-term impact of war on civilian populations and the ongoing work needed to remove the remnants of war that continue to pose a danger to present and future generations. While the explosion at Kadena Air Base has left some shaken, the resilience of the local community and the partnership between the Japanese and U.S. authorities provide hope that these risks can be mitigated in the future.
The tragic explosion serves as a poignant reminder of the far-reaching effects of war, even long after the battles have ended. The people of Okinawa, particularly those living near military facilities and construction zones, continue to live in the shadow of unexploded ordnance, and efforts to clear these remnants must remain a priority for both local and international authorities.
