TOKYO (TR) – The CEO of major telecom company Mobicom has issued an apology after executives from the firm sparked a massive grassland fire that ravaged a highly restricted nature reserve.
The blaze erupted in the heavily protected core zone of the Numrug Nature Reserve in eastern Mongolia’s Dornod Province on October 8.
“Speaking on behalf of Mobicom, as well as in my personal capacity, I offer my sincere and heartfelt apologies,” said Yasuhiro Ochi on October 14. “We firmly believe that we must fully uphold our social responsibilities.”
Subsidiary of KDDI/h2>
According to local media, a group of 13 people, including Japanese executives from Mobicom — a telecom giant and consolidated subsidiary of KDDI — entered the fragile ecosystem in five vehicles on October 7.
The fire broke out shortly before noon the following day when dry grass ignited beneath the undercarriage of the driving vehicles, quickly escalating into a massive inferno.
Mobicom released a statement defending its executives, claiming the team was merely conducting a “site survey for the development of communication networks” when a vehicle caught fire and spread to the surrounding plains.
However, Mongolian news outlet Eguur News and other local media painted a vastly different picture, alleging the convoy had no business purposes and was actually planning an illegal hunting trip and angling for the endangered Amur taimen.
Мобиком корпорацийн гүйцэтгэх захирал Ясүхиро Очи: Бид байгаль орчинд учруулсан хохиролдоо гүнээ харамсаж, Монголын ард түмнээс чин сэтгэлээсээ уучлал хүсэж байна https://t.co/JTfN36aSeX
— Eguur News (@Eguur_mn) October 14, 2026
Outrage
In 2016, telecom titan KDDI acquired Mobicom after it was founded as a joint venture Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation and Mongolia’s Newcom Group.
The incident has sparked outrage within the Mongolian government. Justice and Internal Affairs Minister Temuuren announced that both Mobicom employees and border checkpoint officials who allowed them entry will face severe accountability, vowing to make the culprits pay full compensation for the state’s losses.
Deputy Prime Minister Nomtoibayar stated that an assessment of the damage to local wildlife is underway, adding that an investigation will determine whether Mobicom’s “business trip” into the restricted zone was genuinely necessary. The remote reserve, located over 90 kilometers from human settlements, is a crucial sanctuary for rare wildlife including reindeer, bears, and wild boars.
While Mongolian officials confirmed the flames have been extinguished, they warned that dry air and strong winds pose a risk of reignition.
Containing the disaster required a massive international effort. Mongolia deployed 60 response teams comprising 606 personnel and 100 vehicles to battle the blaze.
The inferno grew so immense that neighboring China was forced to scramble over 3,400 firefighters and emergency personnel to the border, setting up strict surveillance zones to prevent the flames from spreading into Chinese territory.
Take responsible action
Ochi added that Mobicom will work closely with the relevant authorities and take responsible action based on the results of the investigation.
“Furthermore, in light of the established facts and in compliance with relevant laws, we will take all necessary steps and commit ourselves to the restoration of the natural environment,” the CEO said.