27 years since major earthquake in western Japan

January 17

 

Monday marks 27 years since a devastating earthquake struck western Japan, claiming thousands of lives.

 

The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake violently jolted Hyogo Prefecture and nearby areas on January 17, 1995, destroying scores of buildings and causing fires. The death toll from the quake totaled 6,434.

 

For the commemorative day mourners placed about 5,000 lanterns made from bamboo and paper at a park in the hard-hit city of Kobe.

 

The lanterns form the numbers "1.17" to signify the date of the quake, and the kanji character for "forget." The kanji letter is meant to express various feelings, such as hopes for the quake never to be forgotten, wishes to forget the disaster, and concerns that it may be forgotten.

 

The lanterns were lit Sunday evening to prevent crowding at the park as part of measures against the spread of the coronavirus.

 

The number of people who did not experience the quake firsthand has been growing. Events will take place across the prefecture on Monday to pass memories and lessons from the disaster on to younger generations. Schools will hold evacuation drills.

 

NHK