![[Special Program]It’s been almost six months since the Noto Peninsula earthquake… What’s happening in the affected areas? How are local governments supporting them? What’s happening in the ocean? Toyama](https://i3.wp.com/newsdig.ismcdn.jp/mwimgs/5/6/1200w/img_569d8b91e53a6adf8a8790ca378449bf52450.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,900&ssl=1 "[Special Program]It’s been almost six months since the Noto Peninsula earthquake… What’s happening in the affected areas? How are local governments supporting them? What’s happening in the ocean? Toyama")
In Kitaomachi, Himi City, Toyama Prefecture, where buildings suffered extensive damage in the Noto Peninsula earthquake on New Year’s Day, “publicly funded demolition” has begun, in which buildings are being demolished and removed at local government expense on behalf of their owners.
In Kitaomachi, Himi City, where buildings suffered repeated damage from liquefaction, “publicly funded demolition” of four buildings, including a collapsed liquor store, began on the 25th.
“Publicly funded demolition” is a system in which local governments demolish and remove houses and other structures that have sustained partial or more damage in an earthquake on behalf of their owners.
On the first day, the 25th, work was carried out to remove debris and other materials to make way for trucks and heavy machinery.
It’s been almost six months since the Noto Peninsula earthquake. The “publicly funded demolition” has finally begun, and residents are…
Woman: “I had been hoping for something to be done, so this is the day I’ve been waiting for. I just left the building and felt like it had finally begun. I want to wait until he can return in a good condition.”
Woman: “It’s finally starting… I need to change my mindset. I can’t keep my emotions static forever, so I think I need to take a step forward.”
While there are some positive voices being heard…
Woman: “I’m really sad that we have to destroy it after all.”
A woman in the neighborhood said, “The town is definitely going to be lonely. They say that about 40 houses will disappear in Kita-Omachi, so everyone is saying that it’s going to be lonely.”
In Himi City, damage to more than 6,300 homes has been confirmed, including 223 completely destroyed and 485 partially destroyed.
More than 300 applications for “publicly funded demolition” have already been submitted, but only 10 have been demolished, including the four carried out on this day.
The chairman of the Kitaomachi neighborhood association…
Kano Town Chairman, Bansho Mitsuaki:
“We’ve been dragging on like this for the past six months and everyone is exhausted…”
Kano Town Chairman, Bansho Mitsuaki:
“This may not just be a problem in Himi, though. I want them to act quickly. When can we say we’ve recovered? I think we still have to go through another difficult year or two.”
Himi City hopes to complete the publicly funded demolition by the end of fiscal year 2025.
Tulip TV will be broadcasting a special program on the Noto Peninsula earthquake, which will soon be six months since the earthquake, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26th.
Source: Japanese