At the beginning of this month, an event by senior executives of Japan's telecom operator KDDI in a Mongolian nature reserve caused large-scale grassland fires. According to a Japanese economic news report, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiro Matsui gave his first official response on October 26, stating that the Japanese government "takes the serious consequences of the fires seriously."
Minoru Kimura said, "I express my sincere condolences to the people of Mongolia." He also stated that Japan will cooperate with the Mongolian government to assist in the recovery of the affected areas.
On October 24th, the Mongolian government held a cabinet meeting, stating that it would clarify the responsible parties through investigations and consider filing claims against the Japanese company that caused the fire.
Mongolia's Deputy Prime Minister Nomtaybaiyar said in an interview with media that simply apologizing is not enough; it is necessary to seek compensation from the responsible parties for this fire.
Previously, the Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs of Mongolia, Tumenren, stated that the investigation into the fire is ongoing, and the person responsible for this grassland fire must compensate for the losses caused.
On the 8th, a large-scale grassland fire occurred in the Nurug Nature Reserve in the Eastern Province of Mongolia. Affected by strong winds and exacerbated by dry weather, the fire spread rapidly towards Inner Mongolia in China. The Chinese side mobilized a total of 3,400 personnel, including firefighters and local emergency teams, to carry out cross-border fire fighting efforts.
Ultimately, the fire was extinguished on the 16th, and about 80% of the Numlug Nature Reserve was destroyed by fire.
Before the fire, the Japanese senior executives of Mobikong, a Mongolian telecommunications operator controlled by Kedi Dida Company, were in a protected area. They entered the area in five vehicles, and during the journey, the vehicles ignited the hay, causing a grassland fire. However, Kedi Dida Company only admitted on the 20th that the fire was related to the activities of its subsidiary’s executives.
On October 23 local time, Kadydiai Company publicly apologized on its official website, stating that it would fully cooperate with the investigation conducted by Mongolia. However, they insisted that the involved individuals “did not commit any illegal acts.”
