The Invasion of Buna-Gona, called Operation RI by the Japanese, was an operation by Imperial Japanese forces to occupy the Buna-Gona area in the Territory of New Guinea between 21–24 July 1942 during the Pacific campaign of the Second World War. The Japanese invaded and occupied the location to prepare for an overland attack on Port Moresby and support the advance of the Japanese forces advancing along the Kokoda Track.