Summary:
1. Japan quake toll reaches 48, as powerful tremor collapses homes, triggers tsunami warnings nationwide.
2. PM Fumio Kishida: Quake inflicts numerous casualties; race against time for rescues, says Japan's leader.
3. 1,000 rescuers scour rubble, searching for potential trapped individuals after Japan's devastating earthquake.
4. Japanese military distributes essentials—food, water, blankets—to displaced individuals amid earthquake aftermath and home evacuations.
5. Sea of Japan tsunami advisories lifted; no remaining risk of a tsunami event, ensuring safety.
6. President Joe Biden assures readiness to offer any required assistance in the aftermath of Japan's earthquake.
Where did the earthquake hit?
A day after the 7.6-magnitude quake, Japan continues to feel tremors, the latest a 4.9 in Ishikawa.Reminder: Yesterday's earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa, the largest recorded since 1885.
Minister warns Japan to 'be alert' for more earthquakes
Bringing you the latest remarks from Japan's chief cabinet secretary after a Tokyo news conference post-emergency government meeting.Yoshimasa Hayashi reveals Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's directive: "Put lives first" and comprehend the earthquake's devastation.Hayashi advises the people of Japan to stay vigilant, warning of potential earthquakes up to intensity scale seven for about a week.Hayashi urges residents in heavily affected areas to monitor local offices, TV, radio, and the internet for evacuation updates and act accordingly.Hayashi reports 120 awaiting rescue, emphasizing 57,360 individuals have evacuated amid the earthquake's aftermath.
Japan's government dressed for action
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his cabinet held a press conference earlier today in Japan.In a departure from their usual suits, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his cabinet wore matching blue overalls, emphasizing the government's full focus on the crisis.
Death toll rises to 48
Ishikawa's disaster headquarters confirm the death toll in Japan has risen to 48.Officials caution the possibility of a further rise in the number as rescue efforts persist in Japan.
Earthquake destroys house of 82-year-old widower
Approaching the epicenter, isolated pockets of damage emerge – single homes reduced to rubble, often old, wooden structures unprepared for such earthquakes.Encountered 82-year-old Toshio Iwahama, residing in a partially collapsed wooden home. Living alone since his wife's passing, he faces uncertainty on funding repairs for the currently uninhabitable house.Expressing long-standing fears, 82-year-old Toshio Iwahama discloses his apprehension about a large earthquake, hoping it would spare his town. Like others interviewed, he notes that, despite multiple earthquakes, the magnitude of these tremors is unprecedented.
Striving to reach the heavily impacted town of Wajima, where over a dozen fatalities occurred, we face challenges with ruptured roads hindering access. Reports suggest residents may be trapped in their homes.Massive cracks divide the roads, making them impassable and complicating rescue efforts. Access to the area remains challenging for rescue teams. The full extent of the damage, along with the number of casualties and trapped individuals, is still being determined.
'Catastrophic' scenes in coastal Suzu town - mayor
The earthquake wreaked havoc on 1,000 houses in the coastal town of Suzu. Mayor Masuhiro Izumiya characterizes the aftermath as "catastrophic," as reported by Reuters.Suzu, housing just 5,000 households, sits close to the epicenter of the New Year's Day quake.NHK reports that the quake inflicted damage on a temple and numerous graves in the town of Suzu.
Crowds watch Japanese shrines shake and creak
As part of the Hatsumode tradition, many Japanese visit Shinto shrines on New Year's Day.As the earthquake struck on Monday, sizable crowds gathered, witnessing buildings and trees shake amid the seismic activity.Eyewitness footage captures the Keta Grand Shrine, a prominent site on the Noto Peninsula, audibly creaking during the quake. Another video features visitors crouching around the Oyama Shrine in Kanazawa, Ishikawa's capital.
'Race against time' to rescue more survivors - PM Kishida
Rescuers are in a race to extract additional survivors from collapsed buildings, facing challenges posed by severely damaged and blocked roads.PM Kishida stresses the urgency, stating, "We have to race against time to search for and rescue victims of the disaster" following a disaster response meeting.PM Kishida acknowledges "very extensive damage" with casualties, building collapses, and fires. He notes the challenge rescuers face in reaching the northern tip of the Noto Peninsula.Facing a lack of electricity, approximately 33,000 households endured freezing temperatures overnight. Many cities are grappling with the additional challenge of being without running water.
'I grabbed the sea wall to stay upright'
Andy Clark, a visitor from the UK in Toyama, describes the quake: "I grabbed the sea wall to stay upright. It was a scary afternoon and evening." Seeking safety on a school roof to assess the sea's level, he shares challenges in contacting family due to phone issues but notes the effectiveness of the emergency system, receiving earthquake/tsunami warnings. Despite being on edge and disrupted sleep from aftershocks, he emphasizes everyone is looking out for each other in the aftermath.
Here are some latest news
1. Local officials in Ishikawa prefecture have confirmed that at least 30 people have died
2. The region was the epicentre of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake, which struck on Monday
3. Thousands of rescue workers have now been dispatched and are combing the area for survivors
4. But blocked roads, broken cars and destroyed houses are hindering their path
5. The country's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has described the search as a "battle against time"
6. Most rail services, ferries and flights into the area have been suspended
A breakdown of the fatalities so far
In Wajima city, where images reveal smoldering rubble and collapsed houses, 15 confirmed deaths are reported. In Suzu, at the Noto Peninsula's tip, 6 fatalities occurred, while 5 people lost their lives further south in Nanao.
The toll - provided by the local Ishikawa Prefecture government - also includes:
1. one person in Hakui
2. two people in the town of Anamizu
3. one in the town of Shikaa
How Japan learned to live with earthquakes
Japan has learned to live with earthquakes through a combination of technological advancements, preparedness measures, and cultural adaptation. The country, located in a seismically active region known as the "Ring of Fire," experiences frequent earthquakes, and over the years, it has developed strategies to mitigate the impact of seismic events.
1. Building Codes and Engineering Standards: Japan has implemented stringent building codes and engineering standards to ensure that structures can withstand seismic forces. Buildings are designed with advanced technologies, such as base isolation and damping systems, to absorb and dissipate earthquake energy.
2. Early Warning Systems: Japan has a sophisticated earthquake early warning system that provides alerts to the public seconds to minutes before shaking begins. This allows people to take cover, trains to slow down or stop, and automated systems to shut down critical infrastructure.
3. Public Education and Drills: Education plays a crucial role in Japan's earthquake preparedness. Regular drills are conducted in schools, workplaces, and communities to ensure that people know how to react during an earthquake. This includes "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" drills to minimize injuries.
4. Infrastructure Resilience: Critical infrastructure, such as bridges, tunnels, and airports, is designed to be resilient to earthquakes. Emergency response teams are trained to quickly assess and repair damage to infrastructure to ensure a rapid recovery.
5. Community Preparedness: Local communities are actively involved in earthquake preparedness. Neighborhoods have designated evacuation areas, and residents participate in community-based disaster drills. This community-driven approach enhances resilience at the grassroots level.
6. Seismic Retrofitting: Older buildings that do not meet current seismic standards undergo retrofitting to improve their earthquake resistance. This is especially important in historical areas where preserving architectural heritage is a priority.
7. Government Policies and Regulations: Japan's government plays a crucial role in earthquake risk reduction. Policies and regulations are continuously updated based on scientific research and lessons learned from past earthquakes.
8. Crisis Management and Response: Japan has a well-coordinated crisis management system that involves local, regional, and national authorities. The Self-Defense Forces are mobilized for search and rescue operations, and mutual aid agreements with other countries enhance international cooperation during disasters.
Despite these measures, living with earthquakes remains a constant challenge. Japan's experience serves as a model for other earthquake-prone regions worldwide, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to earthquake preparedness and resilience.
