A local fisherman discovered a cylindrical object resembling an unexploded bomb in his nets off the coast of Toyama Bay on Monday [1, 2].
The discovery triggered a joint response from the Japan Coast Guard and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to ensure public safety in the region.
The incident began around 7 a.m. on July 6, when the fisherman reported that a round, tube-like object had become snagged in his fishing gear [2]. The object measures approximately 1.2 meters in length and 25 centimeters in diameter [2].
"Something like a cylinder was caught in the net," the fisherman said during a phone call to the Coast Guard [1].
Authorities transported the object to the Shinminato Fishing Port in Imizu City, where the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is currently conducting removal operations [2]. Despite the appearance of the ordnance, a Japan Coast Guard spokesperson said the risk of an explosion is low [2].
No injuries were reported following the recovery of the object [1]. The military is working to secure and remove the item to prevent any future hazards to maritime traffic, or local residents [2].
Officials have not yet confirmed the origin of the object, though it is believed to be leftover unexploded ordnance from a previous conflict [2].
“"Something like a cylinder was caught in the net,"”
The recovery of suspected unexploded ordnance in Japanese coastal waters highlights the ongoing presence of legacy munitions from past conflicts. While authorities assess the immediate risk as low, the deployment of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for removal underscores the strict safety protocols required to handle potentially volatile materials in populated fishing hubs.
