Disaster Prevention and Emergency Procedures Guide for Non-Japanese Residents
Types of natural disasters in Ishikawa Prefecture

★In case of Ishikawa Prefecture, it is necessary to be prepared against possible earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rains and heavy snowfall.

★In the last 20 years (as of 2010), Ishikawa has experienced all kinds of natural disasters, ranging from earthquakes to heavy snowfall, a number of times.

Earthquakes in Ishikawa

  • Japan is a country with frequent earthquakes.

  • There have been 3 large earthquakes in last 20 years in Ishikawa Prefecture.
    March 2007 Noto Peninsula Earthquake M 6.9
    June 2000 Ishikawa-ken Seiho-oki Earthquake M 5.8
    February 1993 Noto Hanto (Peninsula)-oki Earthquake M 6.6
Typhoons / Heavy Rains in Ishikawa
  • Due to its geographical conditions, Ishikawa Prefecture is one of the Japanese regions with the highest precipitation levels.
  • Last 20 years have shown a tendency towards an increase in the typhoons and heavy rains.
  • Especially, concentrated heavy rains or extremely heavy downpours are on rise.
  • July 2008: Flooding of Asano-gawa River caused by heavy rainfall.
    July 2006: Flood damage caused by heavy rainfall.
    August – October 2004: 3 typhoon disasters
Damage caused by snowfall in the past
  • Heavy snowfalls or extremely heavy snowfalls have shown a decreasing tendency in the last 20 years.
    Note: The years 1981, 1984 and 1986 recorded extremely heavy snowfalls. Since then, there has been no occurrence of such extreme snowfall.
  • However, it snows every year in Ishikawa and therefore it is necessary to take all necessary preparatory measures.
  • January 2001: Damage caused by heavy snowfall.

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