Japanese Media: Mongolian Public Outraged, Japanese Firm Cites Network Survey for Site Visit
As reported by Asahi Broadcasting Corporation on October 22: The public in Mongolia has expressed intense anger over a large-scale fire that consumed an area exceeding twice the size of Tokyo within a protected natural zone. The blaze is believed to have been caused by a vehicle driven by a senior executive from Japan’s KDDI Corporation, a major telecommunications company.
The land within the reserve lies scorched and blackened. Once a region rich in flora and home to rare wildlife, it now bears the marks of widespread devastation.
A massive fire broke out on October 8 in the Numurug Nature Reserve in eastern Mongolia. The flames persisted for more than a week, destroying approximately 80% of the protected area.
Vice Premier Nomtövbaatar: “An apology alone is insufficient.”
The apology came from Kohei Echigoya, CEO of Mobicom, Mongolia’s largest telecom company backed by Japanese investment: “We deeply regret the damage inflicted on the natural environment and extend our sincere apologies once again to the people of Mongolia.”
Local media stated: “The anger of the Mongolian people has reached its peak.”
On the day of the fire, three executives from Mobicom—including CEO Echigoya—traveled to the Numurug Nature Reserve. Access to the site is tightly restricted due to border security protocols, making entry difficult for ordinary citizens.
According to local reports, the group was accompanied by a brother of a former parliamentarian and entered the reserve without formal approval, relying solely on a single local official’s authorization. Reports indicate their objective was the endangered fish species inhabiting the reserve’s lakes.
KDDI has not acknowledged the purpose of the visit as targeting protected, endangered fish. Instead, the company claims the mission was to survey 4G network infrastructure.
On the same day, a journalist reporting on the reserve witnessed the onset of the fire firsthand.
Suren Dugar said: “It took us one and a half years to secure permission. We had to dismount to cross rivers, but after traversing two streams, we encountered the fire.”
It is alleged that the vehicle’s muffler became entangled in dry grass, igniting the blaze. The license plate was so severely burned that the number could no longer be identified.
Suren Dugar added: “While evacuating, I saw animals fleeing the fire ultimately crossing into Chinese territory. I hope they survive.”
He concluded: “Public outrage has now reached its zenith. That is my greatest concern.”
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879701348314122/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.