Students Graduate from High Schools Hit by Noto Quake with Gratitude for Support

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:05 JST, March 1, 2024

NANAO, Ishikawa — Many public high schools held graduation ceremonies on Friday in Ishikawa Prefecture, where the Noto Peninsula Earthquake caused extensive damage.

At Nanao High School in Nanao in the prefecture, about 190 students left their alma mater with gratitude for the support they received after the Jan. 1 earthquake.

The school was temporarily used as a shelter for evacuees, while water supply was cut off for about a month.

Among the graduates, Yui Itakura, 18, said she had been forced to study for university entrance exams at a shelter as her house had partially collapsed.

“There were days of uncertainty, but I’m grateful that I can graduate thanks to support from so many people,” she said.

According to the prefectural board of education, 6,360 students are expected to graduate from 47 public high schools in the prefecture.