#notopeninsula The Boundary Between Everyday and Unusual: The Discomfort of Disaster Becoming Normal | Focus #102

The damage caused by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake continues to leave its mark. Support is needed in various areas such as infrastructure and building repairs in the affected regions, support for the victims, and mental care. Although the government, local municipalities, and volunteer organizations are working together on reconstruction, the reality is that there is still a long way to go before Noto is rebuilt.

Believing in the power of photography, cizucu aims to prevent the earthquake from fading into memory and to encourage people to visit Noto again by continuously sharing the path to recovery. In this magazine, we have obtained permission to introduce the photographs of Jang Kumi, who continues to share the charm of Noto. We asked about the current situation in Noto, four months after the earthquake.

Although public demolition of collapsed houses has begun in some areas, only a few cases of debris removal have been completed. In Wajima City, some households have been told that their turn will come around autumn. Some people have even removed debris with the help of private volunteers without waiting for public demolition.

"Many collapsed houses and debris are still left as they are. To outsiders, it may still look like a terrible sight, but I've started to feel nothing about it. Sadly, the disaster-stricken landscape is becoming a normal sight."

In the two cities and two towns of Oku-Noto, especially in Suzu City, the restoration of the main water supply is still lagging. Residents have expressed sentiments like "I've stopped expecting water supply" and "The more I expect, the deeper the disappointment."

Efforts such as food distribution, supply distribution, and shelter operations are on a downward trend. This is not because the situation is improving, but to revitalize Noto's economy or to reduce the burden on shelters.

 "Temporary housing is not yet fully available. As a result, some people are leaving shelters and returning to their homes that were judged as partially or moderately damaged. I've also heard of some people returning to sleeping in their cars."

In disaster-affected areas where lifelines are unstable, even preparing meals is a challenge, says Jang Kumi. Washing dishes and cooking requires fetching water from buckets and boiling it on gas. In such circumstances, a meal distribution support by an NPO left a lasting impression on Jang Kumi.

"When I went to get food, they greeted me with a smile every day, saying 'Thank you for your hard work,' and it was nice to hear them talk brightly about what happened that day. It was also touching to be able to eat warm food properly without any inconvenience."

"I savored the peace of mind of being able to eat without struggle," says Jang Kumi. Slowly but surely, some restaurants in Noto have started to reopen.

"I recently went to a sushi restaurant. The owner chatted while making sushi, and I drank sake while watching TV in the store. It was the first time in a while that I felt like I was 'spending time in the city' like before the earthquake."

During New Year's, I ate osechi at the entrance while cleaning up the house. Jang Kumi says she felt a sense of futility, thinking, "Osechi is not meant to be eaten like this." However, now, with supermarkets operating on reduced hours, the people of Noto are striving with the spirit of moving forward step by step.

"I believe that being able to live independently is the first step to recovery," says Jang Kumi. However, due to the overwhelming shortage of volunteers, the path to realizing that future is extremely challenging.

"I started photography a year ago because I wanted to capture the sea and scenery of Noto Town. But due to the impact of the earthquake, the appearance of the sea has changed drastically... Now, I even hesitate to visit nearby places."

There was a rumor at one point that "volunteers are not being recruited in Noto," but an article claims this is inaccurate information. The lack of volunteers can also be attributed to such perceptions that are disconnected from reality. The inability to accurately convey calls for help is also one of the damages caused by the earthquake.

For reference, please check the article below.

"Please, truly help us. There are various ways to volunteer, such as through prefectural or private volunteers. We want to somehow restore Noto's beautiful scenery."

If you are considering volunteering, please check the special volunteer site and other resources.

We at cizucu want to harness your creative power. This is an initiative to shed light on the beautiful culture and nature of the Noto Peninsula, as well as the challenges it faces. Please share photos taken on the Noto Peninsula with the hashtag #notopeninsula along with your message. Together, let's aim for the recovery of the Noto Peninsula with your small gestures and support.

Finally, we express our deep gratitude to Jang Kumi for her cooperation in the interview and sincerely wish for the safety of the victims and the swift recovery of the affected areas.
(This interview was conducted on April 2, 2024)