Japan Deploys Transport Ship Kunisaki To Indonesia In First Overseas Firefighting Mission
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force transport ship Kunisaki left the Kure base in Hiroshima on Sunday, carrying three CH-47 helicopters for a mission to help Indonesia fight forest and land fires.
The ship left at around 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 30 and is expected to reach Indonesia in one to two weeks, Japan’s Defense Ministry said.
The mission will be the first time Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have carried out firefighting operations overseas.
The three CH-47 helicopters from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will be used in aerial firefighting operations in Indonesia.
Around 600 Japanese personnel are expected to take part in the international emergency relief mission, according to the Defense Ministry.
Another ministry account of the deployment said around 350 Ground and Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel would operate on-site. The exact locations for the operation are still being decided.
Japan decided to send the Self-Defense Forces on Aug. 28 after Indonesia asked for help.
Fires spread across Sumatra and Kalimantan
Forest and land fires have spread across parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan during Indonesia’s 2026 dry season.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Authority, BNPB, has named six provinces as priority areas for firefighting: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.
More than 200,000 hectares of land burned between July and August, according to government announcements. Many fires are in peatland areas, which are hard to put out.
Smoke from the fires has affected parts of Indonesia and neighbouring countries. Health authorities said millions of people have been exposed to the smoke, with more people seeking treatment for breathing problems.
Indonesia is using ground teams, aircraft and helicopters to fight the fires. Authorities are also dropping water from the air and carrying out cloud-seeding operations.
More than 4 million litres of water have been dropped on areas affected by the fires in recent weeks, authorities said.
Indonesia has also sent more military and police personnel to the affected areas. Wells are being dug to provide water, while authorities are investigating companies and taking action against those found responsible.
First overseas firefighting mission
Japan is sending the Self-Defense Forces under its Law Concerning Dispatch of Japan Disaster Relief Team.
The law allows Japan to send disaster relief teams overseas when the affected country’s government or an international organisation asks for help.
It covers natural disasters and man-made disasters such as fires and explosions. The firefighting mission in Indonesia is classified as emergency disaster response.
After Indonesia asked for help, Japan’s foreign and defense ministers held talks on Aug. 28. The defense minister then ordered the Commander of the Joint Operations Command to carry out the mission.
The Japanese force includes three aircraft for aerial firefighting and one transport ship.
Japan-Indonesia defence cooperation
The mission is also being carried out under a defence cooperation arrangement signed by the Japanese and Indonesian defence ministries on May 4, 2026.
The agreement includes cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said the mission would also help build defence cooperation between the two countries.
Indonesia’s President Prabowo visited West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan on Aug. 22 to oversee the response. He then visited Riau and South Sumatra on Aug. 24.
Japan’s helicopters will join Indonesia’s aerial firefighting efforts.
Kunisaki heads to Indonesia
The Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Kunisaki is carrying the three Ground Self-Defense Force CH-47 transport helicopters for the mission.
The deployment includes personnel from both the Ground and Maritime Self-Defense Forces.
At a departure ceremony at Kure base on Aug. 30, Lieutenant General Hiroki Yanagi, Chief of Staff of the Ground Component Command, spoke on behalf of the Commander of the Ground Component Command.
Yanagi said firefighting overseas was something the Self-Defense Forces had not done before and asked the personnel to carry out their duties professionally.
Kunisaki left shortly after 9:30 a.m. as a naval band played and personnel at the base waved farewell. The ship is expected to reach Indonesia in one to two weeks.
References: mainichi, khitc
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