Noto Quake Victims Mourned on 2nd Anniversary

Wajima, Ishikawa Pref., Jan. 1 (Jiji Press)–A memorial ceremony for the victims of the Jan. 1, 2024, Noto Peninsula earthquake in central Japan was held in the city of Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on the disaster’s second anniversary on Thursday. The ceremony was attended by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who was in office at the time of the massive earthquake, as well as disaster management minister Jiro Akama and Ishikawa Governor Hiroshi Hase. At 4:10 p.m., the time of the earthquake two years ago, the 337 participants, including 234 bereaved relatives, observed a minute of silence. The ceremony also honored the victims of the September 2024 rain disaster in the quake-hit region. “By gathering all our wisdom, we will steadily advance efforts for creative reconstruction together with the people of Noto,” Governor Hase said in a speech. Representing the bereaved families, Shin Nakayama, a 29-year-old resident of Wajima, delivered a speech saying that he will support those who lost loved ones. Nakayama’s older sister died in the rain disaster, after his home was destroyed in the earthquake. Despite his deep grief, Nakayama said he began working as a community radio personality for a disaster-related program because he felt as if he were encouraged to do so by his sister. Among the participating bereaved families was Yoshiko Takakura, 59, whose mother, Kimiko Seto, then 79, died from an indirect cause about a month after the earthquake. Takakura skipped last year’s memorial ceremony, but she decided to attend this year’s because she has recovered enough mentally to do so. “I wanted to learn more from my mother,” said Takakura. “I hope she will watch our reconstruction efforts.” According to the prefectural government, 698 people died in the earthquake, including those who died from indirect causes, while two people remain missing. The rain disaster caused 20 deaths. The Noto region faces many challenges in postdisaster reconstruction due to its aging population, which was an issue even before the disasters. More than 18,000 people are still living in temporary housing. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]