The recent earthquake on New Year’s Day in Japan has stirred up painful memories of the triple disasters

The powerful earthquake that struck central Japan on New Year’s Day didn’t result in massive tsunamis like the ones that devastated the country’s Pacific coast in 2011. The tsunamis that did occur along the Sea of Japan, on the western coast, were relatively small, contrary to initial predictions. However, the earthquake, along with numerous aftershocks and evacuation orders, revived memories of the triple disasters in 2011.

As of Wednesday afternoon, local officials confirmed that 64 people had died in the earthquake, which occurred on the Noto peninsula, northwest of Tokyo. Search and rescue efforts were underway to find survivors amidst the rubble, but heavy rain forecasts raised concerns about further landslides.

The earthquake struck on New Year’s Day, a day when most Japanese families traditionally gather to celebrate. However, this year, the celebrations were disrupted by urgent TV announcements urging people in flood-prone areas to seek higher ground.

Tens of thousands of residents near the quake’s epicenter sought shelter in government buildings and schools, as authorities cautioned against returning to possibly weakened buildings due to aftershocks.

The disaster marked an unfortunate start to the year 2024, which is considered a Dragon Year in Asian astrology, traditionally associated with good luck and prosperity. However, it brought an earthquake on Monday and a fiery landing incident involving a Japan Airlines plane on Tuesday.

While the damage from the recent earthquake is smaller in scale compared to 2011, it has still been catastrophic. The Noto area, known for its picturesque wooden-frame homes and heavy tile roofs, was particularly vulnerable to the violent shaking caused by the quake. Modern buildings in Japan are typically constructed to be quake-resistant, but landslides and subsidence caused significant damage.

Although the 2011 triple disasters were far more devastating, with a magnitude 9 earthquake, massive tsunamis, and nuclear meltdowns, the recent earthquake serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing seismic risks in Japan.