The Emperor and Empress of Japan visit cities struck by a deadly earthquake on New Year's Day

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited towns in the north-central region of Noto on Friday to pray for the victims and console thousands of people displaced after the deadly New Year's Day earthquake. The 7.6-magnitude earthquake killed 241 people, with four still missing, and left more than 9,000 people homeless. Residents have been displaced and are living in evacuation facilities. Officials say the reconstruction process has been slow due to the aging population.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Friday visited towns in the north-central Noto region to pray for victims of the deadly earthquake that occurred on New Year's Day and console thousands of homeless people living in shelters.

The 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed 241 people. Four of them are still missing. More than 9,000 residents whose homes were destroyed or damaged are still living in evacuation facilities such as community centers and school gymnasiums.

Reconstruction has taken place slowly in a largely rural area with an aging population. The area is famous for Wajima lacquerware and other handicrafts.

Earthquakes in Japan kill at least 48 people as officials rush to rescue people trapped in homes

Hundreds of people lined the streets to cheer for the imperial couple and raised their phones to take pictures of them waving from the bus window.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, right, and Empress Masako visit victims of the deadly January 1 earthquakes on March 22, 2024, in Suzu, Ishikawa Prefecture. (Kyodo News via Associated Press)

Officials said Naruhito and Masako had not visited the area earlier because they did not want to interfere with immediate relief and reconstruction efforts.

In Wajima City, where 102 people were killed, Mayor Shigeru Sakaguchi took the royal couple on a visit to more than 100 people still taking shelter in a community

Japan issues tsunami warnings, orders evacuation after earthquakes

The couple knelt on the ground — a gesture initiated by his parents to get closer to people — and spoke to residents, asking about their health and other difficulties.

They also stopped at the burned ruins of a popular morning market, where 10 people were killed. The couple bowed deeply and prayed in silence.

Sakaguchi said their warm words inspired him and the residents to continue the reconstruction work despite the slow progress.

The couple also visited evacuees at the gymnasium in Suzhou Town.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos