Wajima’s Struggles: A Year After the Devastating Earthquake

A year after a devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Wajima, Japan, community recovery remains sluggish with over 200 individuals still in shelters, many facing an uncertain future. Sueko Naka, aged 83, now lives far from her ancestral home, highlighting the emotional and structural devastation experienced by the community, which continues to contend with ongoing aftershocks and recent flooding. The plight of Wajima’s residents underscores the urgent need for effective rebuilding strategies in the face of significant demographic decline.

The aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake that struck Wajima, Japan, on New Year’s Day last year has left the community grappling with profound loss and uncertainty. Sueko Naka, an 83-year-old resident, now resides in a temporary accommodation with her family, far removed from her ancestral home that provided her a sense of stability and connection to her heritage. The earthquake measured 7.5 on the Richter scale, resulting in nearly 470 fatalities and significant destruction, including fires and tsunami waves that devastated central Wajima.

Approximately half of the victims did not survive the initial disaster, while others succumbed to the stress exacerbated by aftershocks, cold weather, and precarious living conditions in evacuation shelters. Many elders were among the 40,000 individuals forced from their homes, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability faced by the community. A year later, aftershocks continue to pose threats, and severe flooding has added to the challenges, causing further casualties and displacing additional residents.

Construction efforts toward rebuilding have progressed slowly, with less than 25% of severely damaged structures demolished as of this report. The difficult terrain and the rural landscape impede reconstruction efforts, which have led to a stark reminder of the disaster’s impact, reflected in the abandoned homes and damaged infrastructure throughout the region.

Yasuaki Ipponmatsu, a Wajima city official, expressed the overwhelming frustration experienced following the torrential rain that wiped out recovery efforts, reiterating, “We received various forms of external support, and there was an emerging sense that everyone was going to start over, but the torrential rain swept away everything, and people had to go back to square one.”

The demographic challenges, exacerbated by the disaster, reveal a troubling trend of population decline in Wajima, which now has around 21,000 residents—2,500 fewer than the previous year. With each passing day, the city faces the prospect of extinction as families like Naka’s grapple with the decision to rebuild or relocate permanently. The desire for family unity amid repeated catastrophes resonates through the sentiments of residents, driving the need for community resilience in the face of mounting adversities.

Wajima, located in Japan’s Noto Peninsula, experienced a devastating earthquake on New Year’s Day, marking the deadliest natural disaster in Japan in over a decade. The earthquake’s tragic consequences have profoundly affected local lives, much of the region’s infrastructure, and its demographic stability as many residents contemplate leaving in search of safer opportunities elsewhere. The slow pace of reconstruction efforts, combined with natural disasters like flooding and unforeseen aftershocks, further complicates recovery while causing widespread emotional and physical strain on the surviving community members.

The catastrophic earthquake in Wajima has left an indelible mark on its inhabitants, symbolized by loss and uncertainty. While recovery efforts are slowly progressing, many residents fear for their futures, exacerbated by additional challenges from natural disasters and demographic decline. The emotional toll on families, particularly older residents like Sueko Naka, emphasizes the need for community support and innovative solutions to ensure Wajima’s resilience against future threats.

Original Source: www.taipeitimes.com