Two years after the devastating Noto Peninsula earthquake struck on January 1, 2024, recovery efforts continue while communities face mounting challenges, according to comprehensive reporting by NHK. For foreign residents living in Japan, the anniversary serves as a critical reminder of the country's ongoing vulnerability to natural disasters and the importance of preparedness.

The earthquake, which hit at 4:10 PM on New Year's Day 2024, has claimed 698 lives across Ishigawa, Toyama, and Niigata prefectures, with the death toll expected to surpass 700 as more disaster-related deaths are confirmed. On January 1, 2026, memorial services were held in Wajima City, where bereaved families observed a moment of silence at the exact time the earthquake struck two years earlier.

The human cost extends far beyond immediate casualties. According to NHK's analysis of 463 disaster-related deaths, over 30 percent were attributed to the physical and psychological burden of relocation. Evacuees who were transported to hospitals, care facilities, or relatives' homes outside the disaster zone faced fatal complications from the stress of displacement. This finding highlights a critical aspect of disaster response that affects all residents, including foreign nationals who may face additional challenges navigating evacuation procedures in Japanese.

Recovery progress has been uneven across affected areas. In Toyama Prefecture, demolition of damaged buildings is nearly complete, but communities that suffered severe liquefaction damage continue experiencing population decline, threatening the viability of local neighborhoods. NHK's fixed-point photography project, which has documented the same locations since immediately after the earthquake, reveals gradual but visible progress in rebuilding efforts. However, as Prime Minister Takaichi stated on social media platform X, restoring the vibrant pre-disaster communities remains an ongoing government priority requiring sustained effort.

For expats and all residents, the anniversary underscores significant gaps in Japan's disaster preparedness infrastructure. An NHK survey of municipalities in Toyama Prefecture revealed that over 80 percent of evacuation shelters fail to meet international standards for stockpiling clothing and personal necessities, despite new guidelines established by national and prefectural governments following the earthquake. This deficiency could particularly impact foreign residents who may not have extended family networks or local support systems to provide emergency supplies.

The disaster's lessons remain immediately relevant. Japan sits on multiple tectonic plate boundaries, making major earthquakes inevitable rather than exceptional events. The Noto Peninsula earthquake demonstrated that even rural areas can experience catastrophic damage, and that disaster-related deaths from evacuation stress can exceed immediate casualties. Foreign residents should recognize that emergency preparedness is not optional but essential for life in Japan.

Practical steps include maintaining emergency supply kits with at least three days of food, water, and medications; keeping important documents in waterproof, easily accessible locations; and understanding evacuation routes and shelter locations in your area. Given the high percentage of disaster-related deaths linked to relocation stress, residents should also prepare plans that minimize unnecessary movement, such as identifying nearby shelters rather than assuming evacuation to distant locations is safest.

As memorial services concluded and communities reflected on two years of recovery, the message for all Japan residents is clear: preparation saves lives. The Noto Peninsula earthquake's ongoing impact demonstrates that disasters extend far beyond the initial event, affecting communities for years through displacement, population loss, and the slow process of rebuilding. For foreign residents, understanding these realities and taking concrete preparedness steps is an essential part of living safely in Japan.