Noto Peninsula Earthquake Victims Remembered 1 Year On; Ishiba, Kishida Join Bereaved Family Members at Ceremony

The Yomiuri Shimbun

16:10 JST, January 2, 2025

Victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that killed 504 people, including in so-called disaster-related deaths, were remembered by families, friends and government officials on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the disaster.

A memorial service organized by the Ishikawa prefectural government was held in the Noto Airport campus of the Japan Aviation Academy in Wajima on the day. Ishikawa Gov. Hiroshi Hase and 317 bereaved family members, as well as 128 guests including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida were in attendance.

Attendees observed a moment of silence for victims of the earthquake and September’s heavy rains at 4:10 p.m., the time the earthquake struck, and prayed for a swift recovery.

Of the 504 deaths, 498 were in Ishikawa Prefecture where two more are still missing. Another 16 died there in September’s heavy rains.

Yukiko Kobayashi, 53, who lost her 82-year-old father in the earthquake, gave a speech on behalf of bereaved family members. Her clothing store in Anamizu was destroyed, and she was about to give up on rebuilding it. However, encouraged by those around her, she is now starting to look ahead. During her speech, she occasionally choked up with tears while speaking.

“I will protect the shop with my husband, and move forward with my neighbors,” she said. “This is my way of expressing gratitude to my late father and giving back to the community.”

Masako Tokuho, who lost a friend she has known since her junior high school days, prayed at Otani Elementary and Junior High School in Suzu, where a flower offering stand was set up.

“I feel lonely because I cannot see my friend anymore,” Tokuho said. “I want to pray that this year to be peaceful.”

About 200 people gathered at a shrine in Wakura Onsen hot spring resort in Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture. Standing in the rain and holding umbrellas, they held a moment of silence at 4:10 p.m.