What Happened to 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake?
On January 1, 2024, a powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Japan's Noto Peninsula, causing widespread destruction, tsunamis, and numerous casualties. Recovery efforts have been ongoing, focusing on rebuilding infrastructure and communities, though challenges like population decline and continued seismic activity persist. As of April 20, 2026, Japan experienced another significant earthquake, a preliminary M7.4/7.5, off its northern coast, prompting new tsunami alerts.
Quick Answer
The 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, a magnitude 7.6 event on January 1, 2024, devastated Ishikawa Prefecture, leading to hundreds of deaths and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Recovery efforts are actively underway in 2026, with long-term reconstruction plans extending to 2032, but the region faces significant hurdles including population decline and the ongoing threat of seismic activity. On April 20, 2026, a separate powerful earthquake, initially reported as M7.4-7.5, struck off Japan's northern coast, triggering tsunami warnings and highlighting the nation's persistent seismic vulnerability.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Start of Seismic Swarm in Noto Peninsula
The Noto Peninsula began experiencing an ongoing seismic swarm, with earthquakes occurring at 10 times the average regional rate, indicating increased crustal fracturing and fluid intrusion.
M6.5 Earthquake Strikes Noto Peninsula
A significant M6.5 earthquake, part of the ongoing swarm, hit the Noto Peninsula, causing one death and damaging hundreds of buildings, foreshadowing the larger event to come.
M7.6 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Strikes
A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, at 4:10 PM JST, triggering tsunamis, widespread destruction, and fires.
Initial Economic Impact Estimates Released
Economists estimated the economic impact of the Noto earthquake to exceed JPY800 billion (USD5.6 billion), with potential drops in Japan's GDP.
Government Announces Additional Disaster Aid
The Japanese government announced an additional $89 billion (¥138.9 billion) in aid to support disaster-affected areas, bringing total spending to over $2.57 billion (¥400 billion).
Torrential Rains and Mudslides Hit Noto
The Noto Peninsula was struck by torrential rains, causing severe flooding and mudslides that killed 15 more people and set back recovery efforts.
One-Year Mark of the Noto Earthquake
One year after the earthquake, nearly 500 fatalities were confirmed, including disaster-related deaths, and thousands remained in temporary housing, highlighting ongoing recovery challenges.
Ishikawa Releases Nine-Year Reconstruction Plan
The Ishikawa Prefectural Government released its nine-year reconstruction plan, extending through fiscal year 2032, with a goal for displaced populations to return home by 2028.
Wharf Renovation Work at Nanao and Ogi Ports
Significant renovation work was carried out at Nanao Port and Ogi Port to restore critical port functions, utilizing advanced construction methods.
Two-Year Mark of the Noto Earthquake
Two years after the earthquake, Noto is slowly recovering, with demolition of destroyed buildings nearly complete and efforts focused on rebuilding community ties.
Report on Continued Seismic Activity in Noto
The Earthquake Research Committee reported that seismic activity in the Noto region, while declining, remains high compared to levels before 2021, with crustal deformation persisting.
Nanao Strategic Reconstruction Plan Update
Nanao City provided an update on its Strategic Reconstruction Plan, outlining efforts to rebuild homes, restore the local economy, and develop public housing for affected residents.
Full-Scale Infrastructure Reconstruction Phase for Noto
The Noto Peninsula entered a full-scale infrastructure reconstruction phase, with increased projects for road restoration and revetment repair, including landslide control on major expressways.
Pokéfuta (Pokémon Manhole Covers) Installed to Boost Noto Tourism
New Pokémon-themed manhole covers were installed across the Noto Peninsula, aiming to attract tourists and support local businesses as part of the recovery efforts.
Ishikawa Launches Plan for Wajima-Nuri Training Center
Ishikawa Prefecture held the first committee meeting to establish a training facility for Wajima-nuri lacquerware artisans, aiming to symbolize recovery and support the battered industry, with an expected opening in April 2030.
Powerful M7.4/7.5 Earthquake Strikes Off Northern Japan
A powerful earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 to 7.5, struck off Japan's northern coast, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue a tsunami alert for the region.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, officially named the Reiwa 6-nen Noto-hantō Jishin by the Japan Meteorological Agency, struck on January 1, 2024, at 4:10 PM JST, with a magnitude of 7.6 (Mw 7.5). Its epicenter was located near Suzu in Ishikawa Prefecture, on the northern coast of Japan's Noto Peninsula. The shallow reverse-faulting earthquake generated a maximum seismic intensity of Shindo 7 on the Japanese scale, causing widespread destruction, including landslides, fires, geological uplift, and tsunamis up to 1.2 meters (47 inches) in coastal towns.
The earthquake was a culmination of an ongoing seismic swarm that had affected the Noto Peninsula since late 2020, with increased activity and larger events, including a M6.5 earthquake in May 2023. This swarm, characterized by many earthquakes in a relatively small area, is considered rare and is believed to involve fluid intrusion from the mantle. The January 2024 mainshock was the strongest to hit the peninsula since records began in 1885.
The immediate consequences were severe: 703 confirmed deaths (including 475 disaster-related deaths), over 1,400 injured, and more than 204,903 structures damaged across nine prefectures. Wajima, a city in Ishikawa Prefecture, was among the most affected, experiencing significant casualties and devastation. The earthquake also caused substantial economic losses, estimated between $7.4 billion (¥1.1 trillion) and $17.6 billion (¥2.6 trillion), with insured losses expected to approach $2 billion.
Recovery efforts have been extensive but challenging. By the seven-month mark, over 2,200 people remained in evacuation centers, down from 34,000 immediately after the quake. The Ishikawa Prefectural Government released a nine-year reconstruction plan in May 2025, aiming for displaced populations to return home by 2028, though concerns exist that it could take longer due to labor shortages and high rebuilding costs. Infrastructure, including roads and ports, has been a major focus, with significant repair work ongoing through 2025 and into 2026. For example, wharf renovations at Nanao and Ogi Ports were undertaken in phases during 2025, and road recovery projects, such as landslide control on the Noto-Satoyama Kaido expressway, continued into early 2026.
As of April 2026, the Noto Peninsula is slowly recovering, with demolition of destroyed buildings nearly complete and efforts focused on rebuilding community ties and supporting local industries. Initiatives like the installation of Pokémon-themed manhole covers (Pokéfuta) in April 2026 aim to boost tourism and revitalize local businesses. A training facility for Wajima-nuri lacquerware artisans is planned, though its opening has been pushed back to April 2030 due to construction industry labor shortages.
Japan continues to experience significant seismic activity. A report from the Earthquake Research Committee on January 14, 2026, indicated that seismic activity in the Noto region, though declining since the M7.6 quake, remains high compared to pre-2021 levels. Furthermore, on April 20, 2026, a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.4 to 7.5 struck off Japan's northern coast, prompting tsunami warnings for the region, including Iwate, Aomori, and Hokkaido prefectures. This recent event underscores Japan's ongoing vulnerability to seismic hazards and the critical importance of its advanced disaster preparedness systems.
What If...?
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