June 16 Is Niigata Earthquake Day — A Professional Disaster‐Management Company’s Reflections on Lessons and Preparedness 47 Years Later

Introduction — Revisiting June 16 from a Disaster Preparedness Perspective
On June 16, 1964, at 13:01:40 JST, a strong earthquake (M7.5/Mw7.6) occurred off the southern coast of Awashima Island, Niigata Prefecture, causing massive impact along the Sea of Japan coast. Approximately 15 minutes later, a tsunami with a maximum height of 6 m struck, flooding wide areas of Niigata City. The reported damage was severe: 26 fatalities, 447 injured, 1,960 houses completely destroyed, and over 15,000 houses inundated.

This disaster is known as Japan’s first large-scale liquefaction event. Ground liquefaction occurred near the Shinano River and Niigata Airport, causing reinforced-concrete apartments to tilt and collapse. Additionally, a fire broke out in an oil tank owned by Showa Oil, burning for 12 days and causing further industrial and residential damage.

Challenges Highlighted by the 1964 Niigata Earthquake

1. Recognition and Response to Liquefaction
   The Niigata earthquake made liquefaction an urgent engineering concern, exposing deficiencies in ground surveys, seismic design, and planning. It sparked the development of liquefaction mapping and revised disaster response strategies.
2. Tsunami Awareness and Communication Gaps
   The tsunami reached coastal areas within 15 minutes, but the tsunami warning took nearly an hour to be transmitted locally, resulting in limited evacuation time and loss of life.
3. Vulnerability of Industrial Infrastructure
   Liquefaction-caused structural failures at Showa Oil’s facilities triggered fires that lasted 12 days — a prime example of cascading industrial disasters, prompting a reevaluation of petrochemical plant disaster resilience.

Applying Today’s Disaster Mitigation Perspective
As a professional disaster management enterprise, we reaffirm these lessons in the following ways:

• BCP (Business Continuity Planning)
  With tsunami arrival potentially within 15 minutes, rapid evacuation, employee safety protocols, and robust communication systems are critical.
• Advanced Liquefaction Mitigation
  Modern liquefaction testing and ground reinforcement design are essential for urban safety.
• Industrial Infrastructure Resilience
  Facilities handling petroleum or chemicals must have firewalls, seismic supports, containment systems, and regular monitoring and training.

Our Role — SAKIGAKE JAPAN’s Disaster Solutions
Based on the Niigata earthquake lessons, we offer:

1. Power-Secure Refrigeration
   Cold Storage Box Portable, equipped with solar power, maintains food and medical supplies during blackouts—ideal for evacuation centers or industrial sites.
2. Evacuation Guidance Systems
   “10-year Luminous Signs” provide evacuation route indicators even under blackout or smoke-filled conditions, enhancing safety and reducing chaos.
3. Heli‑Portable Support Bases
   The Heli‑Portable system enables rapid deployment of helipads, supporting logistics in cut-off zones immediately after disaster strikes.

Collaboration Across Sectors
Effective disaster preparedness requires synergy among:

• Public Sector: Revising disaster and land-use plans based on liquefaction and tsunami risks
• Private Sector: Protecting employees, securing operations, and maintaining critical infrastructure
• Communities: Participation in drills, preparedness, and real-time information access via mobile alerts

Never Let the Lessons Fade
Forty-seven years later, the Niigata earthquake remains a powerful reminder: disasters can combine liquefaction, tsunami, and industrial fire simultaneously. While technology has advanced, risks persist—especially with potential Niigata Offshore earthquakes looming. We must remember the urgency of “time, infrastructure disruption, and communication challenges.” 

Conclusion — From Preparedness to Co‑creation
The lessons from 1964 are not relics but guides. Only through industry, government, communities, and disaster-management firms working together—integrating technologies, education, and policies—can lives and livelihoods be safeguarded. At SAKIGAKE JAPAN, we are committed to promoting the mindset of “Disaster Resilience as Investment” through our technologies and services. Let’s honor Niigata’s lessons and prepare for tomorrow—together.

📌 For inquiries about our products, implementation, or training programs, please contact us.