Key facts
- A wildfire linked to KDDI's Mongolian subsidiary, MobiCom, ravaged a protected nature reserve.
- The fire burned approximately 80% of the Numrug Strictly Protected Area in eastern Mongolia.
- Mongolian officials are pursuing legal accountability and compensation for the damage.
- KDDI executives were reportedly in the reserve for 4G network testing when a vehicle caught fire.
A massive wildfire in Mongolia, which ravaged a protected nature reserve near the Chinese border, has drawn criticism from Chinese state media directed at Japanese telecommunications giant KDDI. The fire, which began on October 8 in the Numrug Strictly Protected Area, is reportedly linked to activities involving KDDI's Mongolian subsidiary, MobiCom. Reports suggest a vehicle carrying MobiCom executives caught fire while they were inside the reserve, allegedly for 4G network testing. Mongolian officials have stated they will pursue legal accountability and seek compensation for the extensive damage. Preliminary figures indicate the fire burned approximately 530,000 hectares, with nearly 80% of the protected area affected. KDDI has acknowledged the fire's significant environmental impact and stated it takes the matter "extremely seriously."