Historical Witness in the Deep Sea: The Dud Explosion of Nago Bay in Okinawa.
In the long course of history, there are chapters that will never be forgotten. Between March and September 2023, 17 American-made duds were found in the waters of Nago Bay in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, which are not only witnesses to history, but also remind us of the cruelty of wars and human suffering that have taken place.
On February 20, 2024, this history took a new turn - the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force carried out a professional underwater blast of these duds, marking that this history has been properly handled.
Discovery and identification of duds.
The discovery of duds in Nago Bay began in March 2023, and as of September, a total of 17 have been found. These duds were all made in the United States, and their existence may be related to the Battle of Okinawa (1945). During World War II, the Battle of Okinawa was one of the bloody but decisive battles in the Pacific Theater, where the U.S. and Japanese forces fought fiercely. After the battle, a large amount of unmunitions were left on the island, and these duds are likely to be remnants of that tragic period.
Dumb handling of the Self-Defense Forces.
After confirming the nature and origin of these duds, Japan** decided to take action to dispose of them safely. On February 20, 2024, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JSDF) detonated a dud bomb in the sea of Nago Bay in accordance with strict security procedures. In the presence of the mayor of Nago City and related people, SDF divers first fixed the object next to the dud bomb and then detonated it remotely from a safe distance. In order to ensure the safety of the explosion, boats were prohibited from navigating an area of 300 meters within the sea area of Nago City on the day of the treatment.
The importance of dud handling.
The detonation of these duds is not only to eliminate potential safety hazards, but also to respect and remember history. World War II was deeply traumatized by human society, and the losses in the Battle of Okinawa were not only soldiers, but also civilians who had never participated in the war. By properly disposing of these remnants of war, it shows society's yearning for peace and reflection on history.
Retrospect and outlook.
History is the ladder of human progress, and each piece of history has its own unique significance. Okinawa, a place that was badly damaged during World War II, is now gradually repairing its war scars and showing the world its beauty and peace. The successful handling of the dud bomb not only ensured the safety of the waters of Nago Bay, but also wrote a new chapter in the history of Okinawa and even Japan.
More than 70 years have passed since the Battle of Okinawa ended, and the brutality of war has faded into oblivion. However, through the handling of these duds, we are once again reminded of how precious peace is and how important the memory of history is. In the future, let us not forget history, cherish peace, and work together to create a better world.