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Rebuild — or Close? Japan Debates Fate of Aging Noto Peninsula Towns
In the wake of the Noto earthquake, some in Japan are asking how much the country should invest in towns with rapidly shrinking populations.
Japan is seeking to rebuild towns ravaged by the recent Noto Peninsula earthquake. But should they be rebuilt? Some in the Japanese government have questioned the wisdom of investing heavily in towns that, thanks to Japan’s aging population, may no longer exist in the next decades.
The disaster before the disaster
With rescue operations still underway and aftershocks plaguing the Noto Peninsula following the devastating January 1 earthquake, talks of reconstruction are already in full swing. Prime Minister Kishida announced the government would draw 4.7 billion yen (USD 32 million) in budget reserves, with plans to raise that amount to 1 trillion yen (USD 6.8 billion).
The national government will act on behalf of local governments to manage extensive repairs to roads, bridges, and other administrative services. While construction on temporary housing has already begun, blocked roads and bad weather hinder progress.
The Cabinet won’t begin deliberations on the reconstruction budget specifics until later this month. The quake hit the communities of Wajima and Suzu the…
