Indonesia Sends Off Japan's Forces as Forest Fire Mission Ends
Indonesia Sends Off Japan’s Forces as Forest Fire Mission Ends
Reporter
September 30, 2026 | 03:15 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin saw off the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) contingent that had carried out a forest fire-fighting assistance mission in West Kalimantan.
“Today, I am here on the deck of this ship to personally see off the JSDF forest fire-fighting assistance mission, which will return to its home country in the coming days,” said Sjafrie as he bade farewell to the troops from aboard the Japanese LST-03 Kunisaki, docked at Kijing International Port in Mempawah Regency, West Kalimantan, on Wednesday, September 30, as quoted by ANTARA.
The relief mission is part of Japan’s efforts to address forest fires in West Kalimantan. It involves the deployment of three CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, transported by the ship JS Kunisaki.
Japan officially concluded the forest fire relief mission on Tuesday after aerial firefighting operations were deemed to have helped prevent the fires from spreading.
Berton SP Panjaitan, Acting Head of the BNPB Center for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication, said the Indonesian government thanked the Japanese government for its support during the forest fire response mission.
Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Ueno Atsushi expressed appreciation for the Indonesian government’s support and warm welcome during the mission, the first time the JSDF had assisted with forest fire suppression outside Japan. He said Japan looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Indonesia in disaster management and defense.
The mission also demonstrates the cooperation between Indonesia and Japan in disaster management, particularly when Indonesia faces forest fires that require aerial firefighting support.
Three Japanese Chinook helicopters arrived in West Kalimantan on September 10, 2026, aboard the JS Kunisaki to support forest fire suppression efforts. The JSDF has concluded its direct assistance. Meanwhile, the National Task Force, local authorities, and volunteers continue to handle the remaining fires.
Read: Japan to End Overseas Firefighting Mission in Indonesia
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