On January 17, 1995, at 5:46am Japan time, an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale occurred. The epicenter located in the northern part of the Awaji Island. Officially named “1995 Southern Hyogo Earthquake”, and also known as “the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake”, the disaster brought unprecedented damage.

The death toll from the earthquake was over 6,400, and more than 40,000 were injured. Nearly 250,000 buildings, which had contained 460,000 households, were damaged. The combined damage of the earthquake ultimately amounted to the equivalent of 10 thousand-billion JPY. It was the worst natural disaster since World War II in Japan.

What did we learn from the disaster, in the context of rescue and support for survivors?

1. Existing disaster related laws and regulations revealed their limitations in such a catastrophic disaster.
2. The demanding need for flexible measures for disaster relief and reconstruction became obvious.
3. Post-disaster mental health needs were publicly recognized for the first time in Japanese histroy, and
4. Japanese public interest in voluntary activities flourished.

Earthquake Statistics

Kobe City

(As of December 22nd, 2005: Data for destroyed housing counted revised in December 22nd, 1995-All data above were based on Kobe City statistics)

Other cities in Hyogo

(As of December 22nd, 2005: data above were cited from Hyogo Prefectural Government, Emergency Response Division statistics)
※Goshiki Town had been synoecized to Sumoto City as of February 11th, 2006