Key Points
- Two weeks after the earthquake, many residents in Wajima City remain in “home evacuation” due to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in official shelters.
- Severe damage to water infrastructure persists, with no clear timeline for restoration in mountainous and rural neighborhoods.
- The risk of “economy class syndrome” and infectious diseases is rising among survivors living in cramped vehicles or damaged houses.
- Local volunteers and journalists are calling for more targeted support for the elderly who are “hidden” from the main relief distribution points.
Full Transcript (English)
Host (Jun Hori): I am reporting from Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It has been over two weeks since the massive earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula. While some primary roads have finally been cleared for emergency vehicles, the situation in the residential neighborhoods remains dire and largely unchanged.
Host: Many people here are not staying in official evacuation centers. Instead, they are living in their cars or in the freezing remains of their damaged homes. This is what we call “isolated evacuation.” Because they are not in the official shelters, they often miss out on hot meals and vital information.
Resident: The shelters were just too crowded. There was no privacy, and we were worried about catching the flu or other illnesses. But here at home, we have no water. We have to carry heavy buckets from the local spring just to have enough water to flush the toilet. It is exhausting, especially at our age.
Host: As you can see behind me, the water pipes are completely shattered and protruding from the ground. The city government has stated it could take months to restore infrastructure in these hilly areas. In the meantime, the physical and mental health of the survivors is deteriorating rapidly.
Guest (Volunteer Coordinator): We are seeing a lot of elderly residents who are becoming dehydrated. They are intentionally not drinking water because they want to avoid using the portable toilets, which are often far away or difficult to access in the snow. We need more professional medical teams to conduct door-to-door checks, not just wait for people to come to the clinics.
Host: The focus of the relief effort must shift. It is no longer just about the initial emergency response; it is about providing specialized care to those who are hidden from the public eye in these isolated pockets of the city. We must ensure that no one is left behind simply because they are not in a designated shelter. This is Jun Hori for 8bitNews.
