Japan Sea Studies Symposium
”Considering the Noto Peninsula Earthquake”
～Psychological Care and Conservation of Cultural Properties～
I visited a newspaper company for a lecture as a host. It’s been a year since the Noto earthquake. There were collapsed buildings and closed roads in Toyama as well.
I heard real stories from people in various positions about what is important for post-disaster recovery. I jotted down some phrases that struck me:
* “Secondary disasters can be prevented at the community level.”
* “Within the community working together, cultural assets and networks of people have played an important role.”
* “Disaster education for teachers and children.”
Cultural assets can be tangible or intangible. Festivals, being intangible cultural assets, play a vital role in community resilience. The connections between people involved in local festivals, those who preserve food culture, fire brigades, and traditional industries like Wajima lacquerware, all become important pipelines for mutual aid in times of disaster.
Indeed, there were people from Toyama sake breweries who stood up to save Noto’s sake breweries. There were also those who stood up to protect Wajima lacquerware. Some people delivered water from different municipalities in a collaborative effort. And there was an actor who returned to their hometown to offer some encouragement.
It was also interesting to hear that festivals can be born after a disaster. People want to cheer each other up, and religious activities play a role in these situations.
I had never thought about it before, but I think the desire to help those in need, to see them recover, and to do something to help is transmitted through various networks.
People aren’t alone. We are all connected. It’s important to cherish our communities. It was a heartwarming lecture.
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