Tokyo International News Agency

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 prog...

A remark by House of Councillors Budget Committee Chairman Yosuke Tsuruho of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), stating, "Luckily, there was an earthquake in Noto," has sparked strong condemnation. On February 11, the Wajima City Council in Ishikawa Prefecture, a region heavily affected by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, sent a stern letter of protest to Tsuruho, asserting that his comment "deeply hurt the hearts of disaster victims" and was "absolutely unforgivable." Furthermore, the Suzu City Council also decided to submit a letter of protest to Tsuruho on or after the same day. Speaker Masanori Banjo pointed out that Tsuruho showed no signs of remorse even during his apology press conference on February 9, and indicated an intention to demand his resignation from important posts. During the press conference, Tsuruho mispronounced the name of Suzu City as "Tama..." among other gaffes, further exposing his lack of awareness regarding the disaste...