Two Years Since Noto Peninsula Earthquake: Recovery Continues Amidst Challenges

January 1, 2026, marked two years since the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Silent prayers were offered in various locations to commemorate the victims, once again highlighting the current situation and challenges faced by the affected areas.

At 4:10 PM, the time the earthquake struck, a memorial service was held in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, where bereaved families offered silent prayers and mourned those who lost their lives. The death toll from this earthquake, including disaster-related deaths, has reached 698 across three prefectures: Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata.

Two years have passed since the disaster, but recovery in the affected areas is still halfway. Over 18,000 people are still forced to live in temporary housing or deemed temporary housing, with 입주 (move-in) to recovery public housing slated to begin in August of this year. Furthermore, the rising cost of living poses a significant challenge for survivors rebuilding their homes.

While infrastructure restoration is progressing, the damage was immense. The site of the former Wajima Morning Market, devastated by a large-scale fire, is now a vacant lot. In Wakura Onsen, seawalls collapsed, and only about 30% of guest rooms are available, indicating a severe blow to the tourism industry. Many challenges remain, such as tunnels that have disappeared from maps and roads that are still cut off.

Among the survivors, many find that the absence of family members becomes more pronounced as they try to regain their daily lives, deepening their emotional distress. Those with prior disaster experience recommend connecting with others and seeking professional help. Voices of concern for Noto's current situation are also heard from people who experienced the Kumamoto Earthquake, underscoring the importance of keeping the memory of the disaster alive and preventing it from fading.

Organizations, including Yahoo! JAPAN, continue to call for ongoing warm support for the Noto Peninsula. NHK has scheduled special programs focusing on the two-year mark, and the national exchange meeting for citizen media, "Medifest Yokohama 2026," will discuss the role of earthquakes and community media. Diverse initiatives are underway to "never forget Noto, continue to care, and keep conveying its story." Connecting past lessons to the future and continuously showing concern for the affected areas is strongly demanded now.

The context

The Noto Peninsula Earthquake, which struck on January 1, 2024, (referred to as January 1, 2026, in the article as it's a future retrospective), was a powerful shallow earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.6. It caused extensive damage, particularly in Ishikawa Prefecture's Noto Peninsula. The earthquake triggered tsunamis along the Sea of Japan coast and resulted in widespread destruction, including collapsed buildings, landslides, and infrastructure damage, such as roads and power outages. The region is known for its aging population and traditional wooden houses, making it particularly vulnerable. The article, written from a perspective two years after the event (January 2026), highlights the ongoing struggles with reconstruction, housing for displaced individuals, economic recovery (especially tourism), and the emotional toll on survivors, emphasizing the need for continued support and remembrance. The mention of the Kumamoto Earthquake serves as a reminder of the long and arduous road to recovery that disaster-stricken areas face.