We have been working diligently on 2024 initiatives and artisans' stories, while one incident have cut the queue: Noto region was hit by an M7.6 earthquake on the very first day of the year. On a cozy afternoon where many young parents and grandchildren from the cities traveled to the rural villages to stay with the elderly in Noto to celebrate New Year. Some have lost their lives in an instant. Firefighters frantically trying to control the fire at Wajima but couldn't because fire hoses were blocked by collapsed houses and water in the river receded after the quake.
A month later, dusts settled, homes lost, families torn apart. We heard stories where the grandparents watched helplessly their children and grandchildren being buried under the rubbles. A survivor lost his entire family as he was on the second floor and the rest of his family were crushed on the ground floor when the house collapsed. Another person have no choice but to keep running knowing his elderly parents are still trapped in the house engulfed in flame. Our affiliate informed us there are lacquer artisans still unaccounted for.
First responders have done the most they can to save lives, and assessment experts have surveyed and showed us the scale of damages. Survivors in refuge tallied to about 14,650 people (as of Jan 31) with no end in sight to a more permanent place to stay. The entire fishery industry destroyed because the seabed rose by a few meters high and boats can no longer dock. Noto region is known for its harsh winter with beautiful fishing villages wrapped around the coastline and small villages spread out in the mountains. During the first 2 weeks after the quake, survivors dealt with snow storms and rain storms, with no heat, no warm food, no electricity, running water and basic needs. Some went without bath or shower for 2-3 weeks, group living and deteriorating hygiene condition led to spreading of flu and COVID, making senior citizens and people with existing health conditions most vulnerable.
Beginning of a long journey to recovery.
Long-term vision and support needed.
This is just the beginning of an extremely challenging journey of rebuilding. We are talking about the coming 5-10 years if not longer, especially in rural region with thinned population and old infrastructure.
Outside of Japan, news has most likely been replaced by newer chaos and crisis elsewhere. So starting this month, we will post regular blog reports on the situation and disaster relief efforts in Noto peninsula, telling resilient stories from this remote region. Noto should be known on the map not because of the disaster, but because of its wonderful people and history. While the initial contents may be concentrated on disaster relief efforts, we will slowly evolve to tell real stories of artisans when the region is ready for craft revitalization. Noto is a remote peninsula filled with important craft history that has often been overlooked. Wajima city is the home to some of Japan's most reputable maki-e and lacquer artisans. In fact, Noto is a place where all kintsugi and lacquer craft advocates should know and visit, where Japanese ceramic fans should hear about.
We will continue our work in giving voices to regions beyond Tokyo and Kyoto. Please support our Japan Noto Earthquake Disaster Relief initiatives and learn about Noto peninsula's cultural heritage.
2024 Japan Noto Earthquake Disaster Relief Initiative
Our Noto Initiative begins with disaster relief. You can get a glimpse of on-the-ground disaster relief through the lens of Open Japan, an NGO dedicated in disaster relief work, whom arrived on scene on January 2 and has been working day-in and day-out at the local shelters and at ground-zero.
Who is OPEN JAPAN?
Open Japan is an NGO rooted in 1995 Kobe's earthquake and formalized in 2011 after the East Japan Earthquake. Over the years, they have built expertise in disaster relief works and have traveled throughout the country whenever a natural disaster strikes. They work with first responders, Japan National Self-defense Force and municipalities to rescue survivors, search for the missing, to deliver supplies and warm food at shelters, clearing debris of collapse roads and houses etc... They help keep things moving during the most urgent moments after disasters strike. The organization is sustained through individual volunteer help, donations and corporate sponsors.
We first met Open Japan back in 2018 when the western part of Japan was hit by a typhoon where road and houses were flooded. Our founder took a trip to the disaster-stricken rural town in Ehime where Open Japan stationed, and did volunteer work to demolish damaged homes and refurbish salvageable houses for local residents. And through the experience she realized the amount of impactful work that a small organization could provide. (read our blog from 2018 Open Japan)
