Japan’s Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Kazuo Yana has reaffirmed his commitment to restoring areas affected by major natural disasters, following visits to damaged communities in Ishikawa and Kumamoto prefectures.
Yana inspected reconstruction efforts over the weekend, including work involving farmland and fishing ports in Ishikawa. He said the government would continue supporting recovery projects according to the needs of affected communities.
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Focus on Ishikawa’s Noto Peninsula
The minister’s visit comes as the Noto Peninsula continues its long recovery from the January 2024 earthquake and subsequent heavy rainfall in September of the same year.
The disasters caused extensive damage across communities, agriculture and fisheries. Yana inspected ongoing efforts to restore farmland and fishing infrastructure during his visit to Ishikawa.
Japan’s Agriculture Ministry has previously reported that the 2024 Noto earthquake and subsequent heavy rains caused significant damage to agricultural land and facilities. As of March 2026, restoration work had enabled farming to resume on part of the affected land, with further recovery continuing.
Restoring Agriculture and Fisheries
For disaster-hit rural communities, reconstruction goes beyond rebuilding roads and homes. Restoring farmland, irrigation systems, fishing ports and other agricultural infrastructure is essential for restarting local economic activity.
The Agriculture Ministry says it is working with prefectural and municipal governments to provide technical assistance and accelerate recovery from natural disasters.
Kumamoto Also on the Recovery Agenda
Yana’s weekend visits also included Kumamoto Prefecture, placing the region alongside Ishikawa in the minister’s wider disaster-recovery agenda.
The focus reflects Japan’s continuing effort to strengthen agricultural and fisheries infrastructure in communities affected by earthquakes, flooding and other natural disasters.
Minister Addresses Reconstruction Support
During his Ishikawa visit, Yana said he would work on reconstruction issues, including budget allocation, and emphasized that support should be based on local needs.
His comments came amid reports concerning remarks he allegedly made about budget allocations for municipalities whose mayors did not support the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in the February 2026 lower-house election. Yana broadly acknowledged making the remarks but denied contacting the transport ministry to seek budget cuts.
Against that backdrop, Yana said reconstruction support would proceed regardless of the political stance of local government leaders.
1. Rebuilding Rural Communities
Restoring farmland and fishing facilities is important for bringing local livelihoods back to normal.
2. Noto’s Long Recovery
Ishikawa continues to deal with the consequences of two major disasters occurring within the same year.
3. Supporting Farmers and Fishers
Recovery of agricultural and fisheries infrastructure can help affected producers resume their activities.
4. Local Needs at the Centre
Yana has emphasized that reconstruction projects should respond to the needs of the communities affected by disasters.
Japan continues to face the challenge of rebuilding communities affected by earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters. With Kazuo Yana visiting affected areas in Ishikawa and Kumamoto, the government is renewing its focus on restoring the farmland and fisheries infrastructure that rural communities depend on.
For Noto and other disaster-hit regions, sustained reconstruction efforts will remain crucial to restoring livelihoods and supporting long-term regional recovery.
