Two years after the powerful earthquake in the Noto Peninsula, residents are faced with the continuous struggle of either rebuilding their homes or forsake them entirely. The immediate response to the disaster saw an influx of support and resources but the progress remains slow. The article explores the prevailing situation, the challenges that the victims are facing, and how the government is responding to this ongoing issue.

Despite Japan's extensive experience with earthquakes and a robust system for disaster management, the prolonged process of recovery poses significant social, economic, and psychological challenges for the affected citizens. The issue of rebuilding or abandoning homes is a critical consideration in Japan - a nation where homes are perceived not just as buildings, but as legacies and ancestral heritage enshrouded in emotional and societal value.

In comparison to the US or EU, the issue of disaster recovery and housing rehabilitation is handled differently due to different societal norms and governmental policy structures. In the US, for example, substantial insurance coverage and government aids are available for disaster-affected residents, but the process can also be complicated by bureaucratic red tape. However, the heightened societal value attached to ancestral homes in Japan creates an additional layer of complexity in the Japanese situation.