2024 Ishikawa (Noto) Earthquake & Rain Response

NPO Partner Projects provide support for recovery and reconstruction efforts in the disaster-affected areas. As of June 2025, we operate Partner Projects with three groups in the areas hit by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. We also support Passing Down Memories, which aims to pass on the experiences of the Great East Japan Earthquake to the next generation.

We would like to introduce two of the Projects implemented.

Jiyu Kenkyu: Community Assistance and Archive Creation

Jiyu Kenkyu ("independent research") is a volunteer group established after the earthquake in Suzu City, the northernmost part of the Noto Peninsula. With the population declining, the group has maintained a place that locals can feel free to drop by and also use as a hub for town-building while managing a community space, Honmachi Station. The group’s representative Sakika Matsuda is a photographer from Suzu City. The NPO Partner Project aims to create an archive to convey information about the region’s past, present and future to people both living in and outside the community.

Ibasho Shokudo of Tomoe Group: Affordable Candy Shop Opened

A Nanao City-based group, Ibasho Shokudo, creates and manages a space where children can stay and study comfortably. On May 13, they also opened a cheap candy shop. While providing an exciting time for children, it aims to promote mutual communication and provide mental health care. There are also plans to visit after-school children's clubs and childcare support centers.

Civic Force expresses sincere gratitude to all our supporters for their ongoing commitment.

Through Civic Force's NPO Partner Projects, which support the recovery and reconstruction of affected areas, we are newly supporting five organizations in addition to the collaborative projects with four organizations since the earthquake. The five new organizations include those that are working for recovery in the areas affected by the heavy rains.

RQ Noto: Reconstruction Support to Fukami District, Suffered from Heavy Rain

RQ Noto has been continuing emergency assistance at Fukami District in Wajima City which saw record heavy rain in September. They have supported evacuees by removing mud flooded into houses and carrying out household goods. Concurrently, they also play a role in preparing the volunteer base and coordinating with other supporting groups.

General Incorporated Association Omoyai: Taking Advantage of Experiences of Saga Heavy Rain in Noto

The group, which started an emergency supporting activity in the earthquakeaffected area in January, also provided in-kind support to evacuation centers and temporary houses and helped removing mud in Wajima City. Leveraging their experience of administrating local volunteer centers in Saga Prefecture, they have continued to support restoration by removing and drying floors and walls of the affected houses and attending to individuals’ needs.

General Incorporated Association Minato: To Preserve Life with Satoumi

Kurofune Town in Wajima City is a town which once developed as a harbor in the Sea of Japan and now has been designated as Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Although the harbor has lost its function because the sea bottom raised due to the earthquake, they have been providing support to restore “Life with Satoumi” and developing products with unused resources such as sea urchin.

Notosasayell: Preventing Illness and Loneliness through Dental Care and Visits to Temporary Houses

In Oku-Noto where there are few dentists, Notosasayell provides visiting dental care for home evacuees with disabilities or of old age. In addition, the organization also regularly visits temporary housing in Suzu City for outreach activities to prevent people from becoming isolated or dying alone. Notosasayell also holds events and dispatches volunteers, utilizing the network of support activities that have continued since the onset of the disaster and the experiences gained from past disasters.

Ibasho Shokudo operated by Tomoe: Preparing to Open a Candy Store and Learning Space

“Let’s create a more exciting space!”
Ibasho Shokudo (Safe Space Cafeteria), which has supported children with various issues such as school refusal or shut-in, will open a candy store in December. A study space will also be provided for students including those taking entrance exams, so that they can calmly concentrate on their studies. Ibasho Shokudo continues to provide support to parents and children with special needs, including children who lost their safe space due to the earthquake.

Civic Force relies on our supporters to implement these activities that bring victims of disaster closer to restoration and healing. We thank you for your generous support.