Japan Plans Increased Aid for Quake-Affected Areas

In response to the devastating New Year’s Day earthquakes that left at least 82 dead and 80 missing, the Japanese government is planning to intensify aid efforts for affected areas. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called for the mobilization of all available resources within the critical 72-hour window for life-saving efforts and lifeline supply.

The government intends to provide “push-type support,” sending necessary supplies ahead of local requests. A supplementary budget of around 40 billion yen ($278.7 million) is expected to be approved to aid relief efforts. The Japan Meteorological Agency officially named the series of earthquakes, centered in the Noto region of Ishikawa, the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.