Kobe Earthquake (1995)

The Kobe earthquake took place at 5:46 A.M. on January 17, 1995. The intensity of the earthquake was measured at 7.2 on the Richter scale and lasted for about 20 seconds. The epicenter of the earthquake was located under the Awajishima Island off the coast of Kobe, Japan. The earthquake hit 10 major cities and 10 substantial towns in Hyogo Prefecture, which resulted in about 6,434 deaths and more than 31 million injured. One of the reasons that the earthquake claimed this many lives was due to the fires caused by the earthquake in old residential areas, where most of the buildings were constructed from wood, before the advent of earthquake engineering. These fires were responsible for most of the deaths and contributed greater damage than the earthquake.

Although many modern buildings in Kobe were built to withstand earthquakes, the earthquake caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure, including the Hanshin expressway, Kobe port, main roads, electrical supply systems, water main networks, and telecommunications systems. According to the “Report on the Lessons Learned from the Kobe Earthquake,” published by the Japanese Cabinet Office, more than 520,000 private residential buildings collapsed, and 15 percent of public buildings were seriously damaged. As a result, more than 310,000 residents were forced to stay in temporary shelters such as schools, community centers, parks, and other public facilities in 15 cities and towns.

The destruction of main roads and utilities made it impossible for firefighters to reach fires started by broken gas lines. The damage caused by the earthquake suggested that there was a need to revise the standards for the seismic design of highway bridges and buildings. Of the 13 major earthquakes in Japan since 1900, the Kobe earthquake produced the second-largest death toll. It also led to more than $100 billion in economic losses.

An emergency disaster relief center based in the National Land Agency was established soon after the earthquake to coordinate agencies such as fire and police departments and the coast guard, implementing search and rescue and collecting information and data about the damage caused by the earthquake.

The cabinet disaster relief headquarters, led by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, was also established later to coordinate the response to the earthquake. Strategies included food and water supply, temporary housing, paramedics and medical equipment support, and medical centers and critical infrastructure rehabilitation. However, conflicts between local authorities and the national government paralyzed much of the response and relief activities.

The national government of Japan was also criticized for not responding quickly and effectively, partly because of poor interaction between civil and military authorities. [Page 374]Four hours after the earthquake, 170 Self-Defense Forces (SDF) were dispatched. Apart from 7,000 people rescued by emergency services and SDF, most of the victims were rescued by fellow residents in local areas.

Emergency services proved unable to respond to such a large-scale catastrophe. There was no coordination between local hospitals and medical teams during the first few days after the earthquake. Failing to respond to the disaster effectively also resulted in intervention by a gangster organization, Yamaguci-gumi. The organization quickly used scooters, boats, and helicopters to transport and distribute food and supplies to residents.

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