SAKIGAKE管理人 — A disaster-prevention company reflects on “applying lessons” and “reinforcing readiness through technology” —
1. Introduction: Revisiting the facts of the Fukui Earthquake
On June 28, 1948 at 16:13, a shallow M7.1 earthquake (equivalent to Mw6.8, depth approx. 10 km) struck off Maruoka Town in Sakai District, Fukui Prefecture (about 10 km northeast of present-day Fukui City). The intensity reached a modern-day Shindo 7, causing widespread residential collapse and numerous fires.
- Fatalities: 3,769
- Injured: More than 22,000
- Completely destroyed homes: Over 34,000
- Complete destruction rate in Fukui City: Approximately 79%
- Secondary disaster: Heavy rains caused the Kuzuryu River levee to collapse, triggering flood damage
Fukui City—still rebuilding after World War II—was nearly destroyed. The city suffered a compound disaster of liquefaction, fire, and flood.
2. Key lessons for businesses and local governments
2.1 Geotechnical risk and vigilance against liquefaction
Fukui Plain is an alluvial plain with soft ground prone to liquefaction—this earthquake revealed the urgent need to reassess urban planning, infrastructure development, and seismic design with liquefaction risk in mind.
2.2 Fires and infrastructure damage chain reaction
Post-quake fires engulfed nearly 2,400 structures in an area already under reconstruction, with ruptured water and road systems delaying firefighting efforts and escalating losses.
2.3 Planning for secondary disasters
Within a month, torrential rains breached the river levee, causing floods. Disaster responses must account for cascading impacts, not just a single event.
3. Our responsibility as a disaster-prevention company — SAKIGAKE JAPAN’s offerings
Inspired by lessons from the Fukui quake, we implement the following with a mindset that disaster readiness is a strategic investment:
3.1 Disaster Management Specialist : Strengthening response through training
Recognizing the challenges of technical geotechnical solutions, we prioritize human capacity. The private-sector Disaster Management Specialist includes programs such as:
- Temporary Shelter Management (TSM): Practical skills in operating evacuation centers, capacity planning, and hygiene management.
- Tsunami & Home Damage Measurement (THM): Quantitative assessments of structural damage in housing after seismic or tsunami events.
3.2 Infrastructure backup refrigeration
Our Cold Storage Box Portable, solar-powered and mobile, preserves food and medicines for approximately 7 hours during power outages, supporting shelters and critical facilities.
3.3 Enhanced evacuation guidance systems
The 10-Year Photoluminescent Signage remains visible during blackouts or smoke, with application to walls, floors, and handrails—improving safety in facilities and factories.
3.4 Disaster response logistics base
The deployable Heli-Portable helipad enables rapid setup of helicopter support in areas where roads or bridges are incapacitated.
4. Building resilience through collaboration
Disaster preparedness cannot succeed by one party alone. Sustainable resilience requires collaboration among:
- Governments: Land-use planning, disaster maps, and drills reflecting risks of liquefaction, tsunami, and flooding
- Businesses: BCP development, employee safety, and infrastructure resilience
- Residents: Participation in drills, individual supplies, and communication readiness
Prevention must be embedded in daily life, not just reactionary once a disaster strikes.
5. Asking anew after 47 years: What does future resilience look like?
Preparing for urban-centered seismic disasters like the Fukui quake requires systems that beat time. Key focus areas are:
- Accelerated emergency response: Automated alerts and evacuation routes to save lives within minutes
- Technical safeguards: Liquefaction countermeasures, power resilience, and evacuation systems
- Ongoing co-creation: Sustained cooperation between government, business, and residents
SAKIGAKE JAPAN dedicates itself to supporting these systems for long-term resilience.
6. Conclusion: Lessons from 47 years ago as stepping stones to the future
The 1948 Fukui earthquake taught Japan critical lessons on liquefaction, fire, floods, and cascade disasters. These remain plausible risks today. Through the concept of “disaster prevention = investment,” we continue to offer products, services, training, and consulting to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and communities.
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