Dashcam Captures Images amid Japan’s Noto Peninsula Earthquake; Group Hopes Video Helps Public Prep for Future Disasters

The Yomiuri Shimbun

21:00 JST, February 7, 2024

SUZU, Ishikawa — Images of houses collapsing, violent shaking and tsunami rushing through the streets were captured on a dashcam in Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture, amid the massive earthquake on Jan. 1.

Chojukai, a social welfare corporation that operates nursing homes in Suzu, released the footage with the hope that it will help people prepare for future disasters.

The released footage begins right before the Noto Peninsula Earthquake hit.

At around 4:10 p.m., when a powerful tremor stuck, Chojukai employee Kumiko Inagawa, 59, stopped the vehicle and got out with six elderly residents still inside.

The footage shows the six being violently shaken inside, and screams of “What’s happening?!” can be heard. The ground is seen moving like a wave, while buildings are shaking and collapsing, followed by dust clouds.

Three minutes after the quake, dozens of local residents were seen running toward higher ground to escape a possible tsunami. The street was damaged, so Inagawa and the elderly residents got out of the vehicle and headed to safety.

At around 4:47 p.m., tsunami is seen pushing the vehicle down the street.

“I’ve never experienced such a violent tremor, so I thought a tsunami was coming,” Inagawa said. “I was just so desperate to save everyone.”

Thanks to her, everyone in the vehicle was able to evacuate safely.