Asia | Building back stronger

Japan is still reeling 100 days after the Noto earthquake

The recovery will take years, and holds lessons for future disasters

A man seen walking in Wajima City, Japan, a month after the Noto earthquake
The long road backPhotograph: Getty Images
|Suzu and Wajima

Fishing boots. Their son’s beloved fishing boots—that is what Hamazuka Hiroyuki and Chiaki most hope to find under the rubble of their garage. The Hamazukas’ place in Suzu, on the northern tip of Japan’s Noto peninsula, is one of nearly 100,000 buildings that were damaged or destroyed when a massive earthquake struck on January 1st. As of late March the death toll had reached 244 people. The Hamazukas and their children survived, but like most of their neighbours, nearly 100 days after the tremor, the family is only beginning to piece its life back together.

Explore more

This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Japan builds back”

From the April 6th 2024 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from Asia

Portrait of Lee Jae-myung with a background of red and blue colour circles with a map.

Who is Lee Jae-myung, South Korea’s possible next president?

The Economist interviews the divisive progressive leader

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet

Is Cambodia slipping out of China’s orbit?

A new generation of leaders could be more receptive to the West


Why Taiwanese youth complain of becoming “housing slaves”

A new generation is questioning the value of homeownership


The Quad finally gets serious on security

The Indo-Pacific coalition signals a tougher approach to China

Taiwan’s political drama is paralysing its government

Domestic dysfunction plays right into China’s hands

An angry culture war surrounds Australia Day

Conservatives claim that wokeness is destroying the national holiday