Wildfire risk management at the wildland–settlement nexus: a comparative analysis of the 2025 WUI fires in Japan and South Korea

Background Increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in East Asia have heightened the vulnerability of wildland–urban interface (WUI) areas. Both Japan and South Korea face similar topographical risks but have developed distinct organizational responses. Aims This study aims to compare the wildfire emergency response frameworks of Japan and South Korea to identify systemic gaps and provide practical strategies for reducing WUI-specific fire risks. Methods A comparative qualitative analysis was conducted through interviews with practitioners, a review of the national documents and policies, and case studies on the 2025 large-scale WUI fires. Key results Japan relies on decentralized municipal responses and volunteer brigades, while South Korea utilizes a centralized command with superior aerial assets. Both systems significantly lack integrated WUI zoning and standardized fuel management protocols. Conclusions While South Korea’s top-down mobilization enables rapid dispatch, fragmented systems lack the municipal-level resilience found in Japan. Conversely, Japan’s decentralized model would benefit from South Korea’s intensive national-level management to better facilitate inter-prefectural resource sharing and coordination. Implications To mitigate WUI risks, policy focus must shift from suppression to prevention by establishing fire-safe buffer zones and integrating structural fire-resistance standards into wildland management policies, while accounting for the relative nature of WUI fire experiences.