Wajima’s Struggle: Community Faces Uncertainty One Year After Earthquake
One year after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake devastated Wajima, residents like 83-year-old Sueko Naka live in temporary units, grappling with loss and uncertainty. The quake killed nearly 470 individuals and caused substantial infrastructural damage, with only a fraction of the reconstruction completed. Common concerns about aftershocks and the ongoing depopulation crisis add to the anxiety during New Year’s, a traditionally joyous time for families in Japan.
A year after the devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake on New Year’s Day, Sueko Naka, 83, reflects on her altered life. Initially hoping to remain at home throughout her golden years, she now occupies a small temporary unit alongside her husband and daughter, burdened by uncertainty. “When I imagine I might die here, I can’t sleep well,” Naka expressed. The earthquake claimed nearly 470 lives, left 40,000 residents evacuated, and severely impacted Wajima, leading to ongoing fears of aftershocks. Despite external support and community resilience, recovery has been hindered by additional flooding and slow rebuilding efforts.
Wajima, known for its rich heritage, suffered greatly; the earthquake destroyed over 6,000 buildings and critically damaged more than 100,000 others. The town’s infrastructure is a mess of rubble, posing barriers to reconstruction. “After the earthquake, external support emerged… but torrential rain swept away everything,” lamented Yasuaki Ipponmatsu, a city official. Families like Naka’s have found themselves scattered. Naka’s daughter, Miyuki Kijima, returned to care for her parents while contemplating the recurrent disasters that plague their community. Despite enduring these challenges, the resolve to rebuild remains tenuous amidst concerns of depopulation, as Wajima’s population dwindles at an alarming rate.
Now, the New Year fosters apprehension rather than joy among families. Residents are confronted with harsh realities as reconstruction efforts proceed slowly and fears of new disasters loom. Naka longs for her family reunited in their own home, yet the painful uncertainty overshadows their hopes for the future.
This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the long road to recovery that lies ahead for Wajima and its resilient inhabitants.
Japan’s Noto Peninsula, where Wajima is located, suffered devastating effects from the New Year’s Day earthquake, marking the deadliest quake in the country for over a decade. The region was not only rocked by the quake itself but also faced subsequent aftershocks and severe weather, compounding the despair of the survivors. The disaster prompted an urgent state of emergency, leading to mass evacuations and the quick establishment of temporary shelters. However, with a significant amount of damage done to infrastructure and housing, rebuilding efforts are progressing slowly amid logistical challenges and a declining population.
The past year has been marked by loss and uncertainty for the residents of Wajima following the catastrophic earthquake. Efforts to recover and rebuild are underway, yet the fear of future disasters and the challenges posed by infrastructure damage significantly hinder progress. The tale of Sueko Naka and her family represents the broader struggle faced by many in the region as they look to the future with both hope and trepidation. The journey to recovery remains challenging, underlining the resilience of the community but also their fragility in the face of natural calamities.
Original Source: www.taipeitimes.com
