At least 48 people have died after a powerful earthquake struck Japan on New Year's Day, as rescue teams battled on Tuesday to reach areas where buildings had collapsed, roads were damaged, and electricity was cut off from tens of thousands of homes. The earthquake, which initial reports indicated had a magnitude of 7.6, occurred on Monday afternoon, prompting residents in some coastal areas to flee to higher ground, while tsunami waves hit the western coast of Japan, sweeping away some vehicles and homes into the sea.
Thousands of military personnel, firefighters, and police from across the country were sent to the most affected area on the relatively remote Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture. However, rescue efforts have been hampered by significant damage to and blockage of some roads, with authorities stating that they are struggling to assess the full extent of the damage. Many rail, ferry, and air services to the area were suspended, and one airport had to close due to cracks in the runway.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, during an emergency meeting on Tuesday, stated, "Search and rescue operations for those affected by the earthquake are a race against time." Kishida mentioned that rescuers were facing significant difficulties accessing the northern tip of the Noto Peninsula due to damaged roads, and helicopter surveys revealed numerous fires and widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Kyodo News reported that authorities in the prefectures indicated that more than 20 people had died as a result of the earthquake. NHK reported that 15 people died in the heavily affected town of Wajima, which is near the epicenter, where there were also 14 people trapped under collapsed buildings. The Japan Disaster Management Agency indicated that they had received unconfirmed reports of 19 fatalities earlier on Tuesday, but official death toll reports remain few.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that there had been more than 140 aftershocks detected since the initial earthquake on Monday. The agency warned of the possibility of further strong tremors in the coming days. U.S. President Joe Biden stated in a press release that the United States was ready to provide any necessary assistance to Japan following the earthquake. He said, "The United States and Japan, as close allies bonded by deep friendship, unite our people. Our hearts are with the Japanese people in this difficult time."
The Japanese government ordered over 97,000 people in nine areas on the western coast of the main island of Honshu to evacuate by Monday evening. Those evacuated spent the night in sports centers and school gymnasiums, which are typically used as emergency evacuation centers. Many returned home on Tuesday after authorities lifted tsunami warnings.
Hokuriku Electric Power stated on its website that power remained cut off to about 33,000 homes in Ishikawa. NHK reported that most areas in the northern Noto Peninsula lacked water supplies. The Imperial Palace Agency announced that it would cancel a planned appearance today by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to mark the New Year due to the disaster. Kishida postponed his visit to the Ise Shrine for New Year's, which was scheduled for Thursday.
## Nuclear Power Plants
The earthquake comes at a sensitive time for Japan's nuclear energy sector, which has faced fierce opposition from some local residents since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that led to the Fukushima nuclear reactor meltdown. The disaster at that time destroyed entire towns.
Last week, Japan lifted an operational ban on the world's largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, which has been offline since the 2011 tsunami disaster. The Nuclear Regulation Authority of Japan stated that no malfunctions had been reported at nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan, including five active reactors at the Ohi and Takahama plants operated by Kansai Electric Power in Fukui Prefecture.
The authority also noted that the Shika plant operated by Hokuriku in Ishikawa, the closest facility to the earthquake's epicenter, had already shut down its two reactors on Monday for routine inspections before the earthquake and had not experienced any impacts as a result of it. Kokukai Electric, a semiconductor manufacturing company, stated that it is conducting further investigations after some damage was detected at its Toyama plant ahead of a scheduled resumption of operations on Thursday.
