Residents in various parts of Ishikawa Prefecture ring in the new year and remember victims of the earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula on New Year’s Day two years ago. (The Asahi Shimbun)

Photo/Illutration Residents of Nanao, Ishikawa Prefecture, observe a moment of silence at 4:10 p.m. on Jan. 1. (Takuya Tanabe)

WAJIMA, Ishikawa Prefecture—A memorial ceremony was held here on Jan. 1 to mourn victims of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and the heavy rains that both devastated the region in 2024.

About 340 people took part in the ceremony, including bereaved family members and Fumio Kishida, who was prime minister on New Year’s Day, 2024, when the earthquake struck.

A total of 698 people died either directly or indirectly due to the quake, while 20 were killed in the heavy rains that fell in September that year.

“I pray from my heart that calm days and a light of hope will once again come to this Noto region,” Ishikawa Governor Hiroshi Hase said at the end of his speech at the ceremony.

Representing all bereaved family members, Shin Nakayama, 29, spoke about his older sister, Miki, who died in the downpour.

The Nakayama home was destroyed by the Jan. 1 quake. After living in evacuation outside Ishikawa Prefecture, they returned to temporary housing in Wajima.

Just as their lives were returning to normal, Miki went missing on her way home from work when the heavy rains hit. She was later found dead.

“My older sister was like the sun to us,” Shin said. “Her death took away the light from our family, and we were plunged into deep sadness and despair.”

He said he could not understand why his family had to suffer so much, but he was encouraged by others in temporary housing who stood by them.

Shin was able to take on a more positive attitude after becoming a radio personality at a local FM station in July 2025.

“Through the radio, I was able to empathize with others like myself who lost loved ones in the quake and in the rain by telling them we will get over this together,” Shin said.

Others who lost loved ones returned to where that tragedy struck.

Kenji Kusunoki, 57, placed flowers and prayed at the site of what was once a seven-story building in Wajima where he and his family lived. Kusunoki lost his wife, Yukari, 48, and oldest daughter, Jura, 19, in the quake.

“I never thought I would suddenly lose both of them, so I feel I am still not able to face reality,” Kenji said.

He added that he would never forgive himself for being unable to save them from the collapsed building two years ago.

At 4:10 p.m. on Jan. 1, the exact time the quake struck, a moment of silence was observed at 10 locations in Ishikawa Prefecture where tables were set up for flower offerings.

About 60 people attended a memorial ceremony at Sojiji Soin temple in Wajima where the temple bell was struck 18 times and a chant was performed by priests.

(This article was written by Yukio Ishikawa, Mayumi Ueda and Keiko Nagai.)

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