We express our heartfelt condolences to everyone affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in the 6th year of Reiwa.
On January 1, 6th year of Reiwa, at 4:06 p.m., an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 5 strong occurred with its epicenter on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. Subsequently, at 4:10 p.m., an earthquake with a seismic intensity of 7 occurred. Over the following week, earthquakes with a seismic intensity of 5 strong were observed seven times. The significant damage, including collapsed houses, landslides, tsunamis, and fires, resulted in over 200 deaths.
Within the prefectural temples of the Soto Sect, the temples in the 5th to 8th districts of the Noto region (71 temples) experienced seismic intensities of 6 or 7, while the temples in the 1st to 4th districts of the Kaga region (63 temples) were hit by a seismic intensity of 5 strong. Most of the temples suffered significant damage.
The Ishikawa Prefectural Office of the Soto Zen Sect attempted to confirm the damage situation by phone. However, communication via telephone or email was disrupted with the temples in the Noto area, and due to road fractures, it was impossible to travel to the area, which prolonged the situation assessment. On January 6, a local response headquarters was established. Prioritizing the confirmation of human lives, we continued to confirm the situation when communication was restored. On January 8, the safety of all the priests and their families was confirmed. Since then, we have been engaged in the delivery of support supplies to evacuation centers such as Wajima City and Suzu City and in cooking activities, with the support and cooperation of the Soto Sect Headquarters, various religious organizations inside and outside the prefecture, and other organizations. We also made efforts to understand the situation at each temple. The temples in the 1st to 4th districts of the Kaga region were confirmed by the head priests of each district who directly visited each temple. However, for the temples in the 5th to 8th districts of the Noto region, where significant damage was expected, we urgently requested an investigation by an architect. Investigations were conducted on January 22nd and 23rd, February 9th and 10th, and 24th, over five days. We will now report the confirmed disaster situation on our website.
Currently, out of the 134 temples in the prefecture, 110 temples have suffered damage to their main halls, living quarters, or main gates. Particularly in the temples in the 5th to 8th districts of the Noto region, the damage is extensive. There are 15 temples in the prefecture where the main halls have completely collapsed, and 25 temples where the main halls have been partially destroyed. The prospects for recovery are still unclear. Most of the head priests and their families of the severely damaged temples are living in evacuation centers in the region or in Kanazawa City. During the day, they are engaged in tidying up the temples and assisting in the evacuation centers.
Since the Noto Peninsula was hit by a seismic intensity of 6 strong on March 25, 2007, in Wajima City, Nanao City, and Anamizu Town, and further intensified by frequent earthquakes starting in 2020, a seismic intensity of 5 weak occurred in Suzu City on September 16, 2021, a seismic intensity of 6 weak occurred on June 19, 2022, and a seismic intensity of 6 strong occurred on May 5, 2023. Despite repeated repairs and seismic reinforcement of buildings such as the main halls, which have stood for hundreds of years, the damage from this earthquake has made the situation significantly more severe. In some parts of Kanazawa City, it is impossible to reside due to the liquefaction of the land. In the Noto region, electricity and water are still unavailable. Support is most needed for the daily lives and health maintenance of the local residents, temple members, and head priests' families.