2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake: Updates and Support
On January 1, 2024, a 7.5-magnitude quake rattled the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa, causing devastation across the region. Continued search-and-rescue efforts have been severely hampered by harsh winter conditions and severed/blocked-off roads. Meanwhile, tens of thousands remain displaced, seeking water, warmth and temporary housing in an area predominantly made up of elderly citizens. Throughout January, there remains a high alert for aftershocks as highlighted by the magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurring between the Noto Peninsula and Sado Island at 17:59 Jan 9.
The BCCJ has coordinated four support trips to the Noto Peninsula and has reaffirmed its strong commitment to collaborating and supporting local efforts with direction from the Wajima Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber also supported community-based projects in the Noto Peninsula, donating half of the proceeds from the 2024 British Business Awards raffle to NPO Tsumugigumi, Creating the Future of Sotoura and NPO Home for All.
The Chamber is in regular contact with our colleagues and friends in the Noto Peninsula and encourages any individual or company who would like to support local efforts to contact info@bccjapan.com
6 Months On: Road to Recovery in Wajima and Noto Peninsula
On June 17, a team of 9 led by the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan headed to the Ishikawa Prefecture to begin a 3-day support mission in the city of Wajima. A focal point of the Chamber’s mission was to understand the short and long-term challenges facing Wajima and how the international community can play a supportive role in assisting recovery efforts. The BCCJ met up with representatives of the Wajima Chamber of Commerce who provided a briefing on the current state of affairs.
6 Weeks On: BCCJ Visit to Noto Peninsula
Few countries have proven to be more resilient in the face of a natural disaster than Japan. From an uptick in extreme weather conditions, to its geographical positioning in the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan has experienced countless disasters over over recent decades. Despite this, when events like what occurred on January 1 take place, they have a habit of catching us all of us off-guard.
Since news broke of the Noto Peninsula earthquake, there has been an impressive global outpouring of support from all corners of the earth.
Volunteer Trip to Machinomachi
In October 2024, Sam from the BCCJ team visited Machinimachi alongside Yuko Yoshikawa or Klein Dytham architecture to support ongoing earthquake relief efforts following the devastating quake earlier in the year. This community, like many others in the region, faced significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and daily life. Volunteers worked alongside local residents, aid organisations, and municipal staff to assist in recovery efforts — helping with debris removal, repair work, community support, and distribution of supplies. Volunteers are still in demand and encouraged to get in contact with with the BCCJ.
