Fire Devastates Korea and Japan... 10,000 Ordered to Evacuate Due to Wildfires in Japan

Imabari, Okayama, and Miyazaki Cities
Dry Conditions Expected to Continue for Now
Kobe Consulate General Issues Advisory

A Japan Self-Defense Forces helicopter is conducting wildfire suppression activities on the 25th in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, western Honshu. Photo by Yonhap News.

As wildfires ravage the Gyeongbuk region, large-scale forest fires have also broken out across western Japan, prompting evacuation orders for about 10,000 residents. Our government has also provided information on the wildfire situation in Japan and urged travelers to exercise caution.

According to Kyodo News and NHK, as of the 26th, the areas affected by ongoing wildfires include Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku Island, Okayama City in Okayama Prefecture on Honshu Island, and Miyazaki City in Miyazaki Prefecture on Kyushu Island.

In particular, the wildfire in Imabari City, which started on the 23rd, has expanded to approximately 410 hectares, damaging nine buildings. Imabari City authorities have issued evacuation orders to about 7,500 residents. Tokihiro Nakamura, governor of Ehime Prefecture, emphasized, "Human lives are the most important," and urged, "Please evacuate even if it turns out to be a false alarm."

The wildfire in Okayama City, which began on the 23rd of this month, has affected an area of 540 hectares, with evacuation orders issued to about 3,000 residents. The Miyazaki City wildfire occurred the previous day, with evacuation orders issued to 70 households near the fire site. The affected area is 50 hectares.

In these regions, firefighters and the Self-Defense Forces are conducting firefighting operations using helicopters and other means, but the fires show no signs of abating. Kyodo News reported, "Dry conditions are expected to continue in Imabari City and Okayama City on the 27th."

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has instructed relevant ministries to support evacuation efforts and requested that necessary measures be prepared in anticipation of possible widespread power outages. Defense Minister Ken Nakatani announced that to efficiently deploy the Self-Defense Forces in firefighting activities, command has been entrusted to the commander of the Joint Operations Command, which was established on the 24th of this month.

Japanese media are also promptly reporting on the wildfire damage situation in northern Gyeongbuk. Kyodo News reported, "On the afternoon of the 26th, a helicopter dispatched for firefighting activities in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, crashed, resulting in the death of the pilot," and added, "In Uiseong, Gounsa Temple, founded in the 7th century and a representative cultural site of the region, was completely destroyed by fire."

Our government has also urged caution for safety. The Consulate General in Kobe stated in a notice that "a wildfire broke out in the Akura area of Minami-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture, and is spreading to the nearby Tamano City area," and requested, "We ask our nationals traveling near the affected areas to avoid approaching the wildfire zones."