A massive forest fire in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, has engulfed at least 1,200 hectares, making it the largest wildfire in Japan in more than three decades, Kyodo News reported.
Local authorities confirmed that the blaze, now in its third day, has surpassed the previous record of 1,030 hectares burned in Kushiro, Hokkaido, in 1992. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency noted that this is now the most extensive wildfire since the Heisei era (1989–2019).
The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, has claimed one life and destroyed over 80 homes. In response, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s government has intensified efforts to contain the disaster, deploying more than 15 helicopters, including Self-Defense Force (SDF) aircraft designed for aerial water drops.
To reinforce firefighting efforts, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has also requested emergency assistance from over 10 prefectures, including Gunma, Saitama, and Tokyo.
