Hurricane Mitch struck major parts of Honduras from late October to early November 1998, leaving a scene of tragedy and devastation in its wake: 6,600 dead, 8,000 missing, over 10,000 injured, and roughly 30 percent of the country's entire 6 million people adversely impacted in some way. Responding to the request of the Honduran government, Japan sent a Self-Defense Force medical unit on its first-ever SDF mission abroad under the mandate of the Law Concerning the Dispatch of Japan Disaster Relief Teams (revised in June 1992).

The Honduran government and people expressed strong appreciation for the efforts in medical assistance and disease control provided by the SDF medical unit. In a televised address, President Carlos Roberto Flores personally expressed his gratitude to the Japanese people and government.

Hondurans were constantly demonstrating their appreciation for the services rendered by Japanese emergency relief teams. For example, when one team member (wearing a vest emblazoned with the Japan Disaster Relief Team logo) tried to pay his bill at a fast-food restaurant, he was told it had already been taken care of by a Honduran citizen. When asked why, the Honduran refused any money, and explained, "That was merely a gesture of my thankfulness to all members of the Japanese relief team for the emergency assistance you have provided Honduras. Thank you." Patients treated by relief team personnel and medics repeatedly expressed their gratitude, as they did to Japanese mass media on location.

As a visible and tangible form of international cooperation, the deployment of the Japan Disaster Relief Team has been met with strong approval. Further, the team will serve as a valuable form of international assistance for overseas areas that have been struck by major natural disasters.