For tourism-related businesses, the earthquake ruined not only high season sales, but also critical infrastructure that could hamper the town’s main industry for months or years to come.
“Wakura is basically strong in tourism. (The neighbouring city of) Nanao is also a tourist site. There is a deep impact on tourism,” said Mr Shigeaki Kakishima, chairman of the Wakura Town Union.
RISING DEATH TOLL, TOUGH RESCUE CONDITIONS
A week after the quake, the death toll has risen to at least 168 as of Monday (Jan 8), according to authorities. More than 300 people are still unaccounted for, as snow and storms further complicate rescue efforts.
Shockwaves had toppled buildings and triggered tsunami waves over a metre high.
“I was scared. It’s my first experience. I heard an announcement: ‘A tsunami is coming’. There’s a school right near us. We were told to evacuate immediately,” Mr Fumio Yoshino, a taxi driver in the Ishikawa prefecture capital of Kanazawa, told CNA his experience when the quake hit.
Continuous rain has increased the risk of fresh landslides, and heavy snow could cause more buildings to collapse under its weight, regional authorities warned.