Japan's SDF takes flight to fight Indonesia fires

Japan's Self-Defense Forces have begun aerial firefighting operations as a series of forest fires continue to rage across Indonesia.

On Wednesday, SDF helicopters scooped up seawater and dropped it on areas affected by the blazes.

An SDF official noted: "With smoke hanging over the area, visibility is extremely limited. Carrying out aerial water drops under these conditions is a very challenging mission."

Earlier, the Japanese government dispatched a transport vessel carrying three helicopters to Kalimantan to join the firefighting.

Japan's Defense Ministry says this is the first time the SDF has taken part in fire suppression operations overseas.

The Indonesian government says the total area affected by the fires is at least 2,000 square kilometers.