Defense minister apologizes for dud bomb explosion in Okinawa
Japan's Defense Minister Nakatani Gen has apologized for a dud bomb explosion in the southern prefecture of Okinawa that injured four Japanese Self-Defense Force personnel.
The minor explosion occurred on Monday at a depot on the premises of the US military's Kadena Ammunitions Storage Area in Yomitan Village.
Four Self-Defense Force personnel suffered burns and other injuries.
The depot is controlled by the prefecture.
Nakatani apologized for the accident on Tuesday, adding that no damage has been confirmed so far around the depot.
He said he has set up an investigative panel in the Ground Self-Defense Force to look into the cause of the blast and measures to prevent a recurrence.
Nakatani said his ministry will continue work to recover unexploded bombs, while ensuring safety.
He said if the work is stopped, duds found by local residents will have to be left where they are, disrupting people's daily lives.
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