Defense Minister Sjafrie Presents Dharma Samudera Medal to JMSDF Personnel

RRI.CO.ID, Mempawah – Indonesia’s Minister of Defense, Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, on behalf of the state, presented the Satyalancana Dharma Samudera, a National Honorary Medal of the Republic of Indonesia, to personnel of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). They gained the medals because they had rendered distinguished service in supporting efforts to address forest and land fires in Indonesia.

The award ceremony was held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, aboard the JMSDF vessel JS Kunisaki, which was docked at Kijing International Port in Mempawah Regency, West Kalimantan. The ceremony was also attended by Japanese Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia Ueno Atsushi, along with delegations from both countries.

The presentation of the Satyalancana Dharma Samudera represents an official recognition by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia for the outstanding contribution of JMSDF personnel in supporting humanitarian efforts to respond to forest and land fire disasters. A total of 361 Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) personnel were recorded as recipients of the award, with 92 personnel attending the ceremony in person as representatives.

During the ceremony, the honorary medal was symbolically presented to three key JDR commanders: Commander, Deployed Task Force Colonel Nakahara Shunji; Commander, Maritime Deployed Task Force Colonel (Navy Captain) Noma Toshihide; and Commander, Aviation Unit Lieutenant Colonel Wakatsuki Shinichi.

Minister Sjafrie underscored that the deployment of JMSDF personnel and assistance represents a concrete implementation of bilateral relations and the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between Indonesia and Japan, both in ongoing cooperation and in future initiatives.

Defense cooperation is not limited to dialogue or military exercises, but is also translated into tangible humanitarian action when communities face crises, based on the principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

In their operational deployment, all assistance involving CH-47 helicopters provided by Japan was carefully integrated and placed under the command of an Indonesian Military (TNI) Task Force to support the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). While Indonesia continued to fully deploy its national capabilities, the integration of international assistance helped ensure that fire hotspots could be addressed and communities protected more rapidly, in a coordinated and effective manner.

Minister Sjafrie’s presence aboard JS Kunisaki also provided an opportunity to express his highest appreciation for the swift response and strong solidarity demonstrated by the Japanese personnel. The presentation of the award reflects the close bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Japan, with international solidarity serving as a shared commitment to reinforcing one another in confronting disaster-related challenges.