Japanese firefighter battles wildfire years after tsunami tragedy

A volunteer firefighter in Japan is once again facing a devastating natural disaster, years after surviving one of the country’s deadliest tragedies. Ryota Haga, now 31, was a high school student when the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami destroyed his hometown of Otsuchi and swept away his family home.

Today, he is battling a massive wildfire that has been raging for six days and threatening the same community. The fire has already burned more than 1,600 hectares of forest, with over 1,400 firefighters and personnel from Japan’s Self-Defense Forces deployed to contain the blaze.

Speaking after a long day of firefighting, Haga said the community had only recently begun to recover from the devastation of 2011. “We can’t let people lose what is precious to them all over again,” he said, adding that exhaustion among firefighters is reaching critical levels.

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The town of Otsuchi was among the hardest hit during the 2011 disaster, when a tsunami nearly 10 metres high killed around 1,300 residents — nearly a tenth of its population — including the town’s mayor.

Authorities say the current wildfire is among the largest the region has experienced in recent years. Despite forecasts of light rain, there is still no clear indication of when the fire will be fully contained.

Experts warn that while Japan has historically seen fewer wildfires, climate change is increasing their frequency, particularly during hot, dry, and windy conditions before the rainy season.

Haga also highlighted concerns over a declining and aging population, which has led to a shortage of firefighters. Despite these challenges, he remains hopeful that their efforts will inspire younger generations to step forward and protect their communities.