Explosion at US air base in Okinawa injures four Japanese self-defence personnel

A blast at the US military's Kadena Air Base in Okinawa on June 9 left four members of Japan’s Self-Defence Forces (SDF) slightly injured.

The explosion occurred while SDF personnel were engaged in preparations for a bomb disposal operation at a depot on the base, which is located in the southern part of the prefecture. Japan’s Defence Ministry confirmed that the injuries sustained were minor, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Local officials stated that no evacuation orders were issued for nearby residents following the incident, indicating that the explosion was contained within the base and did not pose an immediate threat to the surrounding community.

Public broadcaster said that the explosion may have occurred at a temporary storage site for unexploded bombs, with officials trying to confirm the situation.

"We've heard there was an explosion at the SDF facility and also heard there were injuries but we don't have further details," Yuta Matsuda, a local official of Yomitan village in Okinawa said.

Kadena Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Asia-Pacific area and the largest wing in the Air Force, is a key strategic asset in the region. Okinawa, which hosts the majority of US military facilities in Japan, has long been a focal point of discussions concerning the American military presence in the country.

By Vafa Guliyeva