On January 1 2024, a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck the Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa. The earthquake exceeded the highest level on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s seismic intensity scale, which ranges from zero to seven, and affected thousands of households in the region.
According to NHK, the death toll has reached at least 203, with 68 people still unaccounted for as of January 10. Furthermore, at least 1,798 homes are to have been destroyed or damaged across cities and towns, including Anamizu, Nanao, Wajima, Suzu and Noto, leaving roughly 28,000 people in evacuation centres.
Samaritans are advised not to travel to the affected areas to aid recovery efforts due to severely damaged roads and limited resources. However, there are numerous ways to support the impacted communities and contribute to ongoing search and rescue operations from afar. Here is a list of organisations where donations can be made to support these efforts.
Akai Hane (Central Community Chest of Japan)
Akai Hane is one of Japan's largest NPOs that works to bolster social welfare and aid disaster relief. Those with international bank accounts can make online donations with credit card payments here.
Peace Winds Japan
The NPO Peace Winds Japan has dispatched emergency support teams of doctors, nurses and rescue workers to the disaster sites and is posting daily updates on recovery efforts. Those with a Yahoo Japan Wallet account can send their donations here.
Furusato Nozei
Through the Furusato Nozei programme, Japanese taxpayers can now donate a portion of their taxes to any of the towns or cities that have suffered from the earthquake.
Japanese Red Cross Society
The Japanese Red Cross Society has set up a relief fund for Ishikawa and the neighbouring prefectures of Toyama and Niigata, which have also been affected by the earthquake. Those with Japanese bank accounts can transfer their donations from now until December 27 2024 to the following accounts.
Japan Post Bank
Account number: 00150-7-325411
Account holder name: 日赤令和６年能登半島地震災害義援金
SMBC (Suzuran Branch)
Account number: 2787501
Account holder name: 日本赤十字社
Mitsubishi UFJ Bank (Yamabiko Branch)
Account number: 2105493
Account holder name: 日本赤十字社
Mizuho Bank (Kunugi Branch)
Account number: 0620669
Account holder name: 日本赤十字社
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.