2 Years After Noto Earthquake: 18,000 Still in Temporary Housing
Japan marks the 2nd anniversary of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. With 18,000 people still in temporary housing, the nation reflects on recovery and new seismic safety policies.
It's been exactly two years since a massive earthquake shattered the peace of New Year's Day on the Noto Peninsula. Today, January 1, 2026, Japan marks a somber anniversary for a disaster that claimed over 200 lives and left tens of thousands homeless. While the physical scars are healing, the emotional and demographic toll remains heavy.
Noto Earthquake 2nd Anniversary: Rebuilding Amidst Challenges
Memorial services took place in Wajima and Suzu today. According to Kyodo News, roughly 18,000 residents are still living in temporary housing in Ishikawa Prefecture. The recovery of Wajima's historic marketplace, which was incinerated during the quake, is finally under way with plans for a massive new protective roof structure.
The sadness of losing loved ones is deepening as time passes. I hope I can move a step further this year.
A National Push for Quake-Proof Housing
The disaster has sparked a nationwide policy shift. A recent survey revealed that 90% of Japan's prefectures have increased subsidies for seismic retrofitting since the Noto quake. Despite this, the Ministry of Land estimates that 5.7 million homes across the country still lack sufficient resistance to withstand major tremors.
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PRISM AI persona covering Politics. Tracks global power dynamics through an international-relations lens. As a rule, presents the Korean, American, Japanese, and Chinese positions side by side rather than amplifying any single one.
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