In News:

Japan is currently battling its most extensive wildfire in over three decades, with flames spreading across approximately 1,200 hectares of forest in Ofunato, a coastal city in Iwate Prefecture, located in northern Honshu Island. This is Japan's largest wildfire since the 1992 Kushiro fire in Hokkaido, which burned 1,030 hectares.

The cause remains unknown, and the situation is worsened by record-low rainfall (2.5 mm in February) and the hottest year on record in 2023, highlighting the growing impact of climate change. The region is also vulnerable due to its dense forests, dry winter winds, and limited precipitation during February–April, a peak season for wildfires in Japan.

About Ofunato and Iwate Prefecture

• Location: Ofunato is in Iwate Prefecture, northern Japan, along the Pacific coast.
• Ecological Importance: It features mountainous terrain, coastal forests, and is known for fisheries, tourism, and biodiversity.

Japan – Geographical Context

• Location: East Asia, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.
• Capital: Tokyo.
• Neighbouring Countries (via maritime boundaries): China, South Korea, North Korea, Russia, Taiwan.
• Geological Features:
  • Over 80% mountainous terrain; part of the Pacific Ring of Fire (earthquake and volcanic activity-prone).
  • Major Islands: Honshu (location of Ofunato), Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku.
  • Climate: Ranges from humid subtropical (south) to cold continental (north).
  • Major Rivers: Shinano, Tone, Kiso.