Japan Launches First Overseas Firefighting Mission to Aid Indonesia’s Borneo Wildfires

Japan sends military helicopters to Indonesia as toxic haze from Borneo wildfires spreads across borders, threatening health in neighboring countries.

Editorial Desk

September 10, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Tokyo, Japan — Japan has launched its first overseas firefighting mission by the Self-Defence Forces (SDF), sending a transport ship, 300 personnel, and three military helicopters to assist Indonesia in combating devastating forest fires on Borneo.

The JS Kunisaki, a Japanese landing ship, arrived in Kalimantan carrying CH-47 Chinook helicopters, which will support Indonesian efforts to tackle blazes in hard-to-reach areas. This marks the SDF’s first known international firefighting operation.

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Japanese officials emphasized collaboration with Indonesian forces, aiming to stabilize affected communities. The mission comes as smoke from the fires has spread to the Philippines and Malaysia, causing severe air pollution and prompting emergency declarations in parts of Borneo. Over 1.4 million students in Indonesia have been impacted by the toxic haze, with schools temporarily closing in several regions.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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