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 prog...