One Year After the Noto Earthquake: Ishikawa's Road to Recovery

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It has been a year since the devastating Noto Peninsula earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture, which left about 500 people dead or missing. The disaster has inflicted unprecedented damage on the region, but Japan Forward's visit to the affected areas revealed the incredible resilience and determination of the people of Ishikawa.

What became clear during our visit was the strength, resilience and hope of the Ishikawa people, who refused to be defeated by disaster. However, residents still need comprehensive support to ensure that no one is left behind in recovery efforts.

January 1, 2025 was the first anniversary of the earthquake. Coal craftsman Shoichiro Ono observed a moment of silence with his family in the city of Suzu, one of the worst-hit areas in Ishikawa Prefecture.

“I have mixed feelings,” he said. “Some people find it difficult to imagine their future.”

Ono resumes reforestation efforts after the disaster (left) and a crack in the factory floor. (Courtesy of Shoichiro Ono) Facing multiple challenges

Ono leads charcoal production company Notohahaso. He worked to preserve Satoyama's natural resources and revitalize the local community through reforestation and the charcoal industry. However, the earthquake a year ago completely destroyed four of its kilns. This was the third time an earthquake destroyed his facility.

Although he felt like he was on the verge of giving up, Ono is moving forward toward recovery. He has launched a crowdfunding campaign to replace the kilns with durable metal kilns to increase productivity and move his factory to a safer location, away from landslide-prone areas.

“Our community was already suffering from an aging and declining population,” Ono explained. “Now, we have faced multiple disasters – earthquakes and heavy rains. While the reconstruction process is underway, with the damaged houses being demolished, people are still leaving. Will anyone stay in this place?”

Bringing the crested ibis back to the skies of Noto

In September 2024, JAPAN Forward visited Ishikawa City to document recovery efforts before releasing the Crested Ibis, a special natural monument of Japan.

However, torrential rain, described as a once-in-a-century event, hit the area on the day of our visit. After we had to evacuate before meeting Ono, we later received a letter from him that carried great weight.

“I want to say to the government this: We, in rural areas, have long been supporting urban centers through primary industries. In this region, already burdened by challenges such as aging and population migration, we need a clear signal – a guidepost for rebuilding our lives later. Reclaiming “Basic necessities – that it’s okay to live here.”

Ishikawa Prefecture was once home to the last wild crested ibises on Honshu. To protect the dwindling numbers, the government moved the remaining birds to Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture. Despite these efforts, the native crested ibis became extinct in Japan in 2003.

A crested ibis soars in the sky of Sado. The day when you will soar in the skies of Ishikawa is not far away. (Photo by Fumiyoshi Ohyama) Community-led environmental conservation

Since then, ibis gifted by China have been bred and released back into the wild, and Sado Island has become the only successful site in Japan for the reintroduction of the species. Today, the population has increased to approximately 500 people. The government now aims to expand the launch program to Japan's main island of Honshu, with Ishikawa nominated.

The extinction of the crested ibis in Japan was caused by a combination of factors, including pesticide use and environmental degradation. These problems have reduced the insects and other small animals that birds rely heavily on for food.

Successful reintroduction of this species requires restoration of suitable habitat, including reducing the use of pesticides. In Noto, rice fields that local farmers had been maintaining as part of these efforts were damaged in the recent earthquake. However, none of the affected communities have given up on the common goal of reintroducing the crested ibis, and conservation work continues.

A lifetime of dedication

During our visit, we stopped at Yoshio Muramoto's house in Hakuei City, Ishikawa. Muramoto has dedicated 72 years to bringing the crested ibis back to Ishikawa. He will turn 100 on April 26 and will remain very passionate about this cause.

Muramoto dreams of seeing the crested ibis soaring in the skies of Ishikawa again. (© JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura)

Muramoto and my parents share the same hometown. About 15 years ago, I visited Ishikawa with my father and interviewed Muramoto about his conservation work, making this visit a long-awaited encounter. Since then, Muramoto has funded a private crested ibis museum on his property to help children learn about the environment these birds need to thrive.

“I want to witness the day when the crested ibis once again soars in the skies of Noto with my own eyes,” he said.

During our visit, we also stopped at the nearly 100-year-old Tori Shoyu soy sauce shop in Nanao City. Although the workshop was damaged, they were encouraged by local customers who were eagerly waiting for the handmade soy sauce. In December 2023, they reignited the furnace used to fumigate soybeans and fully resumed production.

“It is important that we keep our livelihoods going,” said owner Masako Tori. “Buying soybeans for soy sauce from farmers in Suzhou also supports the region.”

Taizo Shibano, owner of Malga Gelato in Noto, recognized as “the best gelato artisan in the world,” also embodies this flexibility. In October 2024, he represented Japan in the Gelato World Cup Asia Qualifiers in Singapore, where he took first place.

“My creations use Noto salt. Recovery is still underway, but as a person from this region, I want to win Asia's first gold medal at the Italian finals in 2026,” he said.

Centenary dream

Noto, which was badly affected by earthquakes and heavy rains, is also my father's hometown. Perhaps because of the harsh winters, the people of Hokuriku are known for their resilience. Everyone we interviewed, despite the extreme difficulties they faced, shared their recovery efforts with an unwavering will to endure.

Muramoto bid farewell to the JAPAN Forward team at his Ibis Museum after the interview. (© JAPAN Forward by Mika Sugiura)

Muramoto submitted a waka (a traditional Japanese poem) to the imperial family's 2025 New Year's waka reading. This year's theme is “The Dream”. Although his poem was not selected, Muramoto plans to share it with children.

“There were many challenges, but I want to entrust my dreams to the ibis and to the children,” he said.

We have a great responsibility in realizing Muramoto's dream of promoting Ishikawa's recovery.

Follow our New Year's series, 2025 Predictions.

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Author: Mika Sugiura

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