The pilot on flight ANA 90, travelling from southern island of Ishigaki to Haneda airport in Tokyo, noticed the "haze-like thing" around 12:50 pm local time as the plane flew near Okinawa, less than an hour after departure, according to an ANA spokeswoman.
"The pilot decided to divert to Naha airport" on Okinawa, she said.
The haze disappeared quickly in the Boeing 767, but the pilot reported a burning smell, she said.
ANA stressed that the case was not regarded as a serious incident, but added that they are investigating the cause.