Damaged homes hindering recovery in quake-hit NotoーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

• Nto Peninsula Earthquake: A powerful earthquake that struck the Nto Peninsula in central Japan on New Year's Day.
• Reconstruction Efforts: The process of rebuilding and repairing areas affected by the earthquake.
• Population Decline: A demographic trend where the number of residents in an area decreases.
• Elderly Residents: A high proportion of older individuals in the population.
• Damaged Buildings: Structures that sustained damage from the earthquake.
• Demolition: The process of tearing down buildings.
• Ownerless Properties: Buildings where the owner is deceased and no heir or legal representative can be identified.
• Special Court Procedure: A legal process initiated by local authorities to gain permission to demolish ownerless properties.
• Agent Appointment: A court-appointed individual to act on behalf of the absent owner for property matters.
• Vacant Properties: Buildings that are unoccupied.

Reconstruction Challenges in the Nto Peninsula

Nearly two years after the New Year's Day earthquake on the Nto Peninsula, reconstruction efforts are progressing slowly. The earthquake, which claimed over 600 lives (including those who died from related causes), struck an area already grappling with population decline and a high ratio of elderly residents. These pre-existing demographic challenges have significantly hindered recovery.

The Problem of Undemolished Damaged Buildings

A significant obstacle to reconstruction is the presence of numerous damaged buildings that remain standing. Demolishing these structures is proving to be a complex and time-consuming process.

Case Study: Wazima City

In Wazima City, an udou house (a traditional Japanese house) was left on the verge of collapse by the earthquake. Local residents expressed concern about its potential to fall, especially under the weight of snow. One neighbor reported being unable to repair his own house because the damaged building was leaning against it, preventing the setup of scaffolding. The fear of the damaged house collapsing has forced an elderly resident and her mother to stay with relatives outside the city, as the neighbor stated, "I can't bring my mother back here. It's obvious to anyone. If we have another quake, it will fall down. I'm scared about snow, too."

The Ownerless Property Dilemma

The primary reason some damaged buildings remain standing is the absence of an identifiable owner. Investigations by city authorities have revealed that in many cases, the owners have passed away. However, local governments are legally unable to demolish private properties without the consent of the owner. NHK has identified 114 such cases across seven municipalities on the Nto Peninsula.

Legal and Procedural Hurdles

Wazima City is employing a special court procedure to address these ownerless properties. This involves filing a request with the court to appoint an agent in place of the deceased owner. With the agent's consent, the city can then proceed with demolition. However, identifying the owner or their heirs can take months, and in some instances, over a year.

• Quote: "It can take months to identify the owner or in some cases even more than a year. If we still don't have any luck, we'll use the special procedure. We can't demolish private properties on our own. It's frustrating, but we'll do what we can." - Local Authority Representative (as reported by NHK).

Expert Perspectives and Proposed Solutions

Yamo Kazuhiro, who filed the report, highlighted that these vacant, earthquake-damaged properties are a serious problem, obstructing reconstruction and preventing residents from returning to their homes. The instability of these buildings poses a growing threat, particularly with the onset of snow season.

• Key Argument: The combination of population decline and a high elderly population means that when homeowners die, their properties can become vacant and legally inaccessible for demolition by authorities. This issue, evident before the disaster, has become more urgent.
• Proposed Solution: An expert suggests that a new system should be considered to allow demolition without the direct consent of owners in such circumstances.

Broader Implications for Japan

The situation in the Nto Peninsula serves as a stark lesson for the rest of Japan, as population decline and disasters exacerbate the issue of vacant houses. While acknowledging this broader relevance, the report emphasizes that the Nto region faces numerous other challenges, and the focus should remain on supporting the people who have lost so much and are striving to rebuild their lives.

Conclusion

The recovery in the Nto Peninsula is hampered by the slow pace of demolishing earthquake-damaged buildings, particularly those with no identifiable owners. Legal procedures to gain demolition rights are lengthy and complex. The situation underscores the need for innovative solutions to address ownerless properties in disaster-affected areas, especially in regions already facing demographic challenges. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the return of residents and the comprehensive rebuilding of the community.