能登半島を中心に発生した地震

The area facing to Japan Sea or Hokuriku Area of Nagoya Diocese especially Wajima area in Noto Peninsula were hit by strong earthquake in the evening on 1st January 2024. As usually in the case of earthquake in Japan, an island country sorrounded by sea, Tsunami  also hit the area but the damage of Tsunami was reratively small this time.

The quake also affected part of Niigata Diocese.

Real damage of the area is not yet clear but according to the news reports, there are number of casualties and a lot of houses are damaged. According to Bishop Narui of Niigata, there is no report of damage over Church facilities in Niigata. We still do not know about these in Nagoya Diocese.

Our prayers for victims. Catholic Church will do our best to be with people affected and continue our support.

The Bishops Conference of Japan's ERST (Emergency Response Support Team) together with Caritas Japan, both Bishop Narui of Niigata is in charge, are assessing the damage right now with Bishop of Nagoya and will be discussing possible response of the Church.

Our response will be announced through website of Bishops Conference and/or Caritas Japan.

１月１日の夕刻、能登半島を中心に大きな地震が発生しました。一夜明けて、現地の状況が報道されています。被害を受けられた皆さまに心からお見舞い申し上げます。被害は名古屋教区と、新潟教区に及んでいます。新潟教区の成井司教様からは、新潟県内の教会施設の被害はないとのことです。名古屋教区はまだ情報がわたしの所には来ていません。

司教団のERST（緊急対応支援チーム）はカリタスジャパンと共に（どちらも新潟の成井司教様が担当です）、名古屋教区と連携の上、現地の状況確認をすすめ、今後、教会としての対応を決めていくことになっています。司教団のERSTなどの災害対応は、２０１１年の東日本大震災を教訓に、緊急対応のために設置されたものです。

詳細は、今後、中央協議会、またはカリタスジャパンなどから発信されることになります。