Advisory issued by the Chinese Embassy in Japan, urging Chinese nationals to remain vigilant amidst earthquakes occurring in Hokkaido.
People are milling about on a street in Wajima, Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, on January 1, 2024, following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that rocked the Noto region in the afternoon. A chilling image, captured by AFP, features people standing near gaping cracks on the pavement.
Let's delve into the aftermath of this catastrophic event that struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture on that fateful day.
A Terrible Trauma
The earthquake, measured as 7.4-7.6 in magnitude, dealt a devastating blow to the region. The city of Wajima was hit the hardest, with widespread structural damage and a raging fire in the city center as a result[1][3][4]. Meanwhile, nearby cities like Kanazawa and Niigata felt strong tremors but escaped significant damage[4].
A Struggling Recovery
The path to recovery has been arduous, particularly for tourism infrastructure, due to labor shortages. Yet, the spirit of the community remains unbroken as residents fight to rebuild[1][3]. Spearheading these efforts is a group from Wajima's Machinomachi district, which has set up an emergency FM radio station to facilitate aid in the reconstruction process—a move inspired by similar initiatives in resilient communities like Onagawa[1][3].
Although many tourist attractions elsewhere have reopened, much of the lodging in Wakura Onsen remains inaccessible[4]. The region also grappled with yet another setback in the form of a heavy rain disaster in September 2024, which has added to the burdens of recovery efforts[1].
Concurrently, there are deep-seated concerns about disaster preparedness in Japan, which extend beyond the earthquake recovery and include more effective sanitation facilities during emergencies, as exemplified by the lack of portable toilets[2].
In conclusion, though the recovery process in Wajima and neighboring areas continues to be a struggle, local initiatives and community determination are driving the region towards rebuilding and resilience.
In the midst of Wajima's recovery, residents turn to innovative solutions, such as establishing an emergency FM radio station, to facilitate aid and rebuilding efforts, much like those in resilient communities like Onagawa. Despite the reopening of some tourist attractions, accessibility issues persist, making it difficult for tourists to visit places like Wakura Onsen. Additionally, the region has faced another setback with a heavy rain disaster in September, further complicating recovery efforts.
