en.malanginspirasi.com – Japan has deployed military personnel and three CH-47 helicopters to Indonesia’s Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, to assist efforts to combat forest and land fires in the region.
Several Japanese military personnel arrived in Ketapang on Thursday, September 3, 2026, as part of the disaster-response assistance.
Japanese helicopters were also deployed to support firefighting operations in areas affected by the fires.
Indonesia has authorized Japan to take part in the forest and land fire response as part of bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries.
Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said the assistance reflects the broader role of defense diplomacy, which extends beyond military capability development.
According to Sjafrie, defense cooperation between Indonesia and its partner countries also includes humanitarian assistance and support when one country faces a disaster.
The Japanese deployment is being carried out under the framework of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), a form of cooperation aimed at providing assistance during humanitarian emergencies and disasters.
For the firefighting operation, Japan has deployed three CH-47 helicopters.
A Japanese advance team had previously arrived in Indonesia to coordinate with the Indonesian military, or TNI, and the task force responsible for responding to the forest and land fires.
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The helicopters will operate with support from Supadio Air Base in West Kalimantan.
Their deployment and use will be adjusted according to operational requirements, with the firefighting response remaining under the control of the Indonesian military.
Sjafrie emphasized that Indonesia retains the national capacity to respond to disasters independently. However, assistance from friendly countries can provide additional support and help strengthen efforts on the ground.
The duration and implementation of Japan’s assistance will depend on operational needs and developments in the forest and land fire situation.
The assistance is therefore considered complementary to Indonesia’s national response, with the aim of strengthening and accelerating efforts to protect affected communities and territories.
Sjafrie also highlighted a shared sense of responsibility as an important element of bilateral defense relations between Indonesia and Japan.
The principle reflects a commitment by both countries to support each other when a partner country faces difficulties.
Disaster response, he added, is part of the dynamic responsibilities carried out by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense and the TNI in support of national interests and public safety.
Against the backdrop of the forest and land fires in West Kalimantan, the combination of Indonesia’s national capabilities and support from Japan is expected to accelerate emergency response efforts and strengthen protection for communities and areas affected by the fires.
