Kobe Official Highlights Disaster Preparedness Lessons from Noto Earthquake

Masayuki Fujisawa, a Kobe city employee, dedicated a year to support recovery efforts in Noto, Ishikawa, after the region was devastated by an earthquake. Vowing to raise awareness about disaster preparedness in Kobe, Fujisawa draws from his experiences to stress the importance of being ready for such calamities.

A municipal employee from Kobe, who experienced the devastating impact of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, has committed to applying his year-long experiences from supporting recovery efforts in Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture. Masayuki Fujisawa, who was born shortly before the Hanshin earthquake, has been working in Suzu since April 2024 and aims to enhance disaster preparedness awareness in his hometown of Kobe following the destruction caused by the Noto Peninsula earthquake last year.

Fujisawa, who oversees public relations in Suzu, has witnessed significant devastation first-hand, with thousands of structures affected and personal tragedies unfolding daily. He has taken on a pivotal role in communication and outreach, helping to disseminate vital information that supports the victims’ recovery process. On the day designated for final work in 2024, he personally delivered newsletters to earthquake victims in temporary housing, showing his dedication to community outreach amidst challenging circumstances.

Reflecting on the unfortunate but familiar experience, Fujisawa noted, “Even though people know that preparedness is important, few are able to get ready with a concrete image in mind. I want to earnestly convey how frightening these disasters are.” With his upcoming thirtieth birthday coinciding with the anniversary of the Kobe earthquake, he intends to leverage the insights gained from his time in Noto to foster greater disaster awareness and resilience within Kobe’s communities.

In January 2024, the Noto Peninsula experienced a devastating earthquake, which prompted local governments across Japan to dispatch support workers to assist with recovery efforts. Masayuki Fujisawa, a Kobe city official, volunteered to serve in Suzu, a city that bore the brunt of the earthquake’s destructive force. Drawing from his own childhood experiences during the 1995 Hanshin earthquake, he is particularly motivated to educate others on disaster preparedness and the importance of being ready for potential calamities.

Masayuki Fujisawa’s commitment to sharing the lessons learned from the Noto Peninsula earthquake highlights the importance of preparedness and community resilience in the wake of natural disasters. His experiences are expected to strengthen public awareness in Kobe about the realities of earthquakes and emphasize the necessity of proactive measures to mitigate risks associated with such emergencies.

Original Source: japannews.yomiuri.co.jp