Japan was rocked by a powerful earthquake that shook the nation and triggered a tsunami warning this New Year's Day.
The quake, which measured 7.5 on the Richter scale, caused widespread damage and claimed at least four lives.
It also exposed some of the challenges and limitations of Japan's disaster prevention and mitigation measures, as well as the need for more research and innovation to improve the accuracy and reliability of earthquake and tsunami forecasts.
Powerful quake rattles the country
Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images
Japan was shaken by a strong earthquake on the first day of 2024, measuring 7.5 magnitude on the Richter scale and striking near the coast of Ishikawa Prefecture.
The quake, which occurred at 2:42 p.m. local time, was felt across a wide area of the country, from Hokkaido to Tokyo.
It also triggered a tsunami warning for the Sea of Japan coast, which was later lifted after no significant waves were detected.
The earthquake caused widespread damage to buildings, roads, and infrastructure, as well as power outages and disruptions to transportation and communication networks.
At least four people were confirmed dead and more than 20 injured as of Monday morning, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.
The casualties included a 79-year-old woman who died after a landslide hit her house in Nanao City, and a 56-year-old man who was crushed by a falling signboard in Kanazawa City.
The quake also triggered landslides and avalanches in some areas, especially in the mountainous regions of Niigata and Nagano Prefectures, where heavy snowfall had accumulated.
Rescue workers and Self-Defense Forces personnel were deployed to the affected areas to search for survivors and provide assistance to the evacuees.
More than 6,000 people sought shelter in public facilities, such as schools and community centers, as the cold weather and aftershocks posed further risks.
A reminder of Japan's vulnerability to natural disasters
The New Year's Day earthquake was a reminder of Japan's vulnerability to natural disasters and the need for better preparedness and resilience.
Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide and cause frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The country has experienced many devastating quakes in its history, such as the 1995 Kobe earthquake, the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, and the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.
Japan has also invested heavily in disaster prevention and mitigation measures, such as building codes, early warning systems, emergency drills, and public education.
However, the New Year's Day earthquake exposed some of the challenges and limitations of these efforts, such as the difficulty of predicting the exact location and magnitude of quakes, the lack of coordination and communication among different agencies and regions, and the complacency and fatigue of the public after repeated alerts and drills.
Experts and officials have urged the public to stay vigilant and review their disaster plans and supplies, as well as to follow the official instructions and information in case of emergencies.
They have also called for more research and innovation to improve the accuracy and reliability of earthquake and tsunami forecasts, as well as to enhance the resilience and recovery of the affected communities.
The New Year's Day earthquake was a wake-up call for Japan and the world, as the threat of natural disasters looms large in the era of climate change and urbanization.
It was also a test of Japan's spirit and solidarity, as the country faced another crisis amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the preparations for the postponed Tokyo Olympics.
As Japan enters 2024, it faces the challenge of learning from the lessons of the past and the present, and building a safer and stronger future.
