Pontianak, West Kalimantan (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin sees off the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), which has been assisting the forest and fires extinguishing efforts in West Kalimantan.
“Today, I am here on the deck of this ship to directly see off the JSDF’s forest and land fire extinguishing mission, who will return to their home country in the next few days,” Minister Sjamsoeddin said while seeing off the troops from the Japanese ship LST-03 Kunisaki, docked at Kijing International Port, Mempawah District, West Kalimantan, on Wednesday.
The assistance mission was part of Japan’s support in handling forest and land fires in West Kalimantan, which involved the deployment of three CH-47 Chinook heavy helicopters transported aboard the JS Kunisaki.
Japan officially ended the forest and land fire assistance mission on Tuesday (Sept 29), after aerial firefighting operations were deemed to have helped prevent the fires from spreading.
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Acting Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Berton S.P. Panjaitan, conveyed the Indonesian government’s appreciation to the Japanese counterpart for its support during the forest and land fire response mission.
On the same occasion, Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Ueno Atsushi praised the Indonesian government’s extraordinary response and support for the mission.
Ueno said the mission to assist with forest and land fires in Indonesia marked the Japan Self-Defense Forces’ first operation of its kind overseas.
“Going forward, we will enhance similar cooperation with Indonesia, both in the areas of disaster mitigation and defense cooperation,” he remarked.
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The mission also demonstrated Indonesia and Japan’s cooperation in disaster mitigation, particularly when Indonesia faces forest and land fires that require aerial support.
Three Japanese Chinook helicopters previously arrived in West Kalimantan on September 10 after being transported by the JS Kunisaki, which was en route from Japan to Indonesia.
The conclusion of the JSDF mission marked the end of Japan’s direct support for forest and land fire suppression efforts in West Kalimantan, with the remaining fires to be handled by the National Task Force in coordination with local governments and volunteers.
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Translator: Rendra Oxtora, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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