The Consul-General of Japan in Sydney's Newsletter - Past Issues
No. 8 Bushfires in Australia and Support from Japan - February 7, 2020
Right now, how to deal with the novel coronavirus dominates discussions around the world, but in Australia one of the worst ever bushfire emergencies continues. New South Wales accounts for around half of the total area burnt by bushfires this season in Australia, and losses have been widespread in the state. In response to Australia’s national crisis, various Japanese people and organisations have extended a helping hand. I would like to report on the latest developments.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons briefing the NSW Consular Corps
On 15 January, I attended a briefing session by Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. He explained that the majority of bushfires were caused by lightning strikes in mountain areas and that 5.2 million hectares of forest out of a total 20 million hectares of forest within NSW had been burnt, in other words almost one quarter. At that point in time, there were 20 fatalities, including 3 volunteer firefighters. In addition to homes and properties being lost, rail, road, electrical and phone infrastructure suffered significant damage. Animals and the environment have also been affected.
A slide from the briefing showing burnt areas in NSW
Commissioner Fitzsimmons also explained that around 74,000 firefighting personnel are deployed and have been engaged in firefighting activities for more than 130 consecutive days. He said social media and smart-phone apps have greatly improved communication. He also conveyed his gratitude for the assistance given by many countries, and I also noted that he actively encouraged tourism in order to assist with the recovery in the affected areas.
With Ambassador Takahashi and Sydney Japanese International School students at RAAF Base Richmond
On 15 January, upon the request of the Government of Australia, the Government of Japan decided to dispatch a Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Self-Defense Force Unit to assist with the bushfire emergency. Just a few hours after the announcement, two C-130H aircraft left Japan and arrived at the RAAF Base Richmond located in the Sydney suburbs on 16 January. On 18 January, the unit had already begun operations.
On 24 January, HE the Ambassador of Japan to Australia, Mr Takahashi Reiichiro, Sydney Japanese International School students and I visited the JDR Unit at the RAAF Base Richmond. While receiving general support from the base, the JDR Unit has done its utmost to contribute. In the week since commencing its duties, the Unit had transported people and cargo to and from 8 different airports.
Ambassador Takahashi gave words of encouragement to the JDR Unit and the Sydney Japanese International School students presented a YOSEGAKI poster with messages of thanks to representatives of the Unit.
Air Commodore Carl Newman, Commander Air Mobility Group, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), also expressed his gratitude to the Unit for their support. In 2011, the Australian Air Force dispatched C-17 aircraft to support Japan’s efforts after the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster.
The handing-over of masks from JICA’s emergency relief goods
Another part of the announcement on 15 January was that 6,000 masks would be given through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as emergency relief goods. On 23 January, the masks were formally handed over by Japan’s Deputy Head of Mission, Minister Omura Shutaro, to Australian Department of Health’s Acting Chief Medical Office Prof. Paul Kelly.
Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Economic Mission’s visit to Sydney
Japanese companies and organisations have also made donations. As of 24 January, Japanese businesses and related organisations had donated more than AUD 5 million (figure, Embassy and Consulates-General of Japan in Australia). Here in Sydney too, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry has collected donations from its members. During its visit to Sydney from 5 to 7 February, the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Economic Mission extended their sympathies for the losses suffered due to the bushfires, and the NSW Government expressed its appreciation for Japan's support.
With Mr Nick Boyle, Director of Welfare, Conservation and Science at Taronga Zoo
Contributions are also taking place through Australia-Japan Sister Zoos. On 28 January, I visited Taronga Zoo and met with Mr Nick Boyle, Director of Welfare, Conservation and Science. He told me that their sister-zoo, Higashiyama Zoo in Nagoya City, was beginning fundraising activities for the protection of animals affected by the bushfires and was creating a poster and website in Japanese. Mr Boyle informed me that beyond the rescue of animals in burnt areas, it will be necessary to support various long-term conservation efforts, as well as promoting tourism. He hopes that there will be cooperation regarding conservation and that people will visit NSW and Australia.
Tokyo Tower lit up on Australia Day
Japanese people living in NSW are also contributing to fundraising activities and sharing information about the bushfire emergency. For example, the photographer “Photraveller Yori”, who is based in Sydney, has taken images of the bushfire damage in the Blue Mountains and the activities of the Port Macquarie koala hospital for sending to Japan. The images include a call for donations.
In Japan, it is not only activities by people with connections to Australia that have affect. A famous YouTuber called for donations to the bushfire appeals and the video clip has been played more than 1.6 million times. Another example is Tokyo Tower: on Australia Day, Tokyo Tower was lit up in the colours of the Australian flag to express sympathy and support for Australia during the bushfire crisis.
Being guided around the Fire and Rescue NSW Headquarters
by Assistant Commissioner Robert McNeil, Assistant Commissioner Regional Operations
In NSW, it is the Rural Fire Service (RFS) that is directly handling the bushfire emergency, however, Fire and Rescue NSW, which is responsible for fighting fires in the metropolitan area, is providing support in parallel with RFS activities.
On 3 February, I visited the Fire and Rescue NSW Headquarters and was guided around by Assistant Commissioner Robert McNeil, Assistant Commissioner Regional Operations, who in 2011 led the 76-member Fire and Rescue NSW rescue team that was dispatched to Minami-Sanriku in Miyagi Prefecture in the immediate aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster.
Assistant Commissioner McNeil briefed me on the 2011 mission and on the current support activities of Fire and Rescue NSW. For the current bushfire situation, Fire and Rescue NSW is handling bushfires in the Sydney metropolitan area and is providing trucks, communications equipment and support personnel and so on, to front-line activities under a national-level coordinating mechanism.
Blue Mountains scenery near Sydney in late January
Hearing the experiences and comments of people dealing with the bushfire crisis, I have been made aware of the importance of the recovery and economic self-reliance for fire-affected regions. The Australian federal and state governments and organisations such as the Australian Red Cross have begun various recovery tasks, but what I have heard from all quarters in relation to Japan is that tourists are welcome – “Please come and visit” is the message. Around Sydney and in many parts of Australia the effects of the bushfires have eased.
In addition to lending support for the bushfire disaster, this office will work to encourage more Japanese tourists to Australia and promote business development.
Emergency Assistance to the Bushfires in Australia (Dispatch of Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Self-Defense Force Units and provision of emergency relief goods (masks))
https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press4e_002755.html
Donations from Japanese companies and Japan related organizations in Australia and in Japan for the Australian bushfire relief effort
https://www.au.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/donations_bushfire_disaster_relief.html
Appeal to donate to Taronga Foundation by Higashiyama Zoo in Nagoya City
名古屋市東山動植物園によるタロンガ基金への募金活動 (in Japanese)
http://www.higashiyama.city.nagoya.jp/news/2020/01/post.html
Photraveller Yori’s webpage
ブルーマウンテンズ被害状況，ポートマッコーリー・コアラ病院視察 (in Japanese)
https://photraveller.com/
Japanese YouTuber’s appeal to support areas affected by the bushfires
ヒカキンと一緒にオーストラリア森林火災の被災地に募金しませんか？ (in Japanese)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-viLbh55hU&t=6s
Tokyo Tower light-up on Australia Day
東京タワーのオーストラリア国旗ライトアップ (in Japanese)
https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/event/illumination/idv-Australia/index.html
Australia Travel Alerts and Safety Information
https://www.australia.com/en/travel-alerts.html