Japan on Jan. 17 marked 30 years since the Great Hanshin Earthquake, a devastating disaster that struck Kobe and other parts of southern Hyogo Prefecture, registering the maximum 7 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale and claiming 6,434 lives.

The 1995 earthquake was the first time a temblor of such intensity had been recorded in Japan. Buildings with insufficient seismic resistance collapsed en masse, and some 640,000 homes were damaged. An elevated expressway and railroad tracks were toppled, and widespread fires engulfed whole districts, leaving residents in shock. The total damage from the disaster was estimated at some 10 trillion yen (currently about $64 billion). In an instant, countless lives and the daily routines people had taken for granted were lost. Lessons from this catastrophic event that became the starting point for Japan's modern disaster prevention system must not be forgotten.

The Great Hanshin Earthquake revealed the vulnerabilities of modern society in the face of large-scale disasters. At the time, information about critical damage failed to reach the central government, and the National Land Agency -- then responsible for disaster response -- as well as other bureaucratic bodies could not provide adequate instructions. The dispatch of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) for disaster relief was also delayed. These failures prompted a major overhaul of the government's disaster response system.

A turning point for disaster response

One of the key reforms was strengthening control tower functions. In the event of a major earthquake, an emergency disaster response task force, headed by the prime minister, is now established. A crisis management center was created at the prime minister's office to facilitate the swift collection of information.

The criteria for deploying the SDF were also revised, allowing them to be mobilized without waiting for requests from governors in affected areas. Similarly, relief supplies can now be delivered without waiting for official requests from disaster-stricken regions.

Seismic resistance standards have been tightened, and assessments of homes and public facilities have progressed significantly. As a result, nearly 90% of housing in Japan is now quake-resistant.

Support for disaster victims has also improved since 1995. New laws allow public funding to help individuals rebuild their lives after their homes are badly damaged or destroyed in disasters. Previously, cash benefits were not provided to those whose private property was damaged.

However, significant challenges remain.

The poor conditions at evacuation shelters were highlighted again after the Jan. 1, 2024, earthquake on the Noto Peninsula. Many evacuees had to sleep on the floors of school gyms and other public spaces without privacy. While the government issued new guidelines in late December to improve conditions at evacuation centers, their effectiveness depends on how local governments implement them.

There are also ongoing cases of "disaster-related deaths," where survivors die later due to stress, poor living conditions or other factors. Efforts to prevent isolation among evacuees in temporary housing remain insufficient. Above all, protecting the lives and health of disaster victims must be prioritized.

The government plans to establish a disaster prevention agency in fiscal 2026. We urge this agency to address these and other unresolved issues in collaboration with local governments and other organizations.

However, the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the 2024 Noto Peninsula quake underscored the importance of self-help and mutual assistance, not relying solely on governments, as local bodies in affected areas struggled to function effectively.

In the aftermath of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, approximately 1.4 million volunteers from across Japan traveled to Kobe and other affected areas, making 1995 known as "the first year of volunteer movements." Ai Urano, 48, executive director of the nonprofit organization Rescue Stock Yard, was also a student volunteer at the time and has since supported disaster-stricken areas nationwide.

Listening to disaster victims

Initially, Urano's nonprofit faced challenges in coordinating with government bodies to identify and address the needs of affected residents. Over time, the organization developed expertise and is now proving effective.

Following the Noto Peninsula quake, the group provided extensive support to residents in Anamizu, Ishikawa Prefecture, including those who chose to remain in their homes, and established frameworks for collaboration with government agencies. The nonprofit has also worked with the Cabinet Office to train personnel for disaster relief efforts.

Over the past 30 years, Urano has emphasized the importance of listening to each disaster victim individually. Even those who appear outwardly fine may be suffering from severe emotional distress. Vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and those with disabilities, often keep their struggles hidden. Each person's circumstances are unique.

Volunteers alone cannot provide comprehensive care to all disaster victims. It is essential for residents to participate in community activities during normal times and build connections with their neighbors. Stronger community bonds not only improve daily life but also create a support network in times of crisis.

Makoto Iokibe, a late political scientist and survivor of the Great Hanshin Earthquake who chaired a government panel on reconstruction after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, wrote, "Residents of this archipelago have no choice but to overcome major disasters by supporting each other through solidarity and sharing. We have no choice but to extend a helping hand to each other."

Disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. As traditional community bonds weaken, particularly in urban areas, it is vital to redefine mutual assistance to suit modern society and build a resilient community capable of protecting lives.