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Two Years After Noto Quake, Wajima Weighs Relocation as Wildfires Test Disaster Response

Recovery now pivots on demographic decline and confirmed foundation failures that exposed hidden seismic risks.

Overview

  • Wajima held a coming-of-age ceremony on Jan. 11 with 133 attendees, and city data show that 118 of 253 residents who would have turned 20 moved out after the quake.
  • The city is advancing government-backed group relocations from small hamlets such as Besshodani to more populated areas under the Disaster Group Relocation Promotion program.
  • A national expert panel concluded pile damage caused the fatal overturn of a seven‑story building in Wajima, spotlighting hidden foundation risks and documenting tilts in 25 of 101 surveyed buildings in Wajima and 8 of 41 in Wakura Onsen.
  • University volunteers led by Hokuriku Gakuin University’s Junichi Tanaka have carried out mud removal, rebuilt a community rose garden and hosted a concert, with footbath listening visits planned to support residents.
  • With multiple wildfires burning, the government opened an information liaison room and deployed Self‑Defense Forces helicopters; Yamanashi’s Ougiyama fire expanded to about 105 hectares on Jan. 12, Kanagawa’s blaze persisted, and Gunma’s Kiryu fire was declared extinguished.