Quake Damage Estimated at 150 B. Yen in Hokkaido

September 20, 2018

Sapporo- Total damage to public facilities and the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries from a 6.7-magnitude earthquake in Hokkaido early this month is estimated at 150 billion yen, Governor Harumi Takahashi said Thursday.

According to a survey by the northernmost prefecture, damage related to roads, bridges and other public civil engineering structures is projected at a minimum of 100 billion yen.

With the survey still continuing in the hardest-hit areas, such as the towns of Atsuma, Abira and Mukawa, the total estimated damage is likely to expand.

Earlier, the prefecture put the damage suffered by the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries at 39.7 billion yen.

At a meeting of the prefectural assembly Thursday, Takahashi said, "We'll provide assistance for speedy reconstruction." She referred to the need for state support as the estimated damage is seen increasing.

The forestry industry suffered the biggest impact, with damage from massive forest collapses estimated at 22.5 billion yen.

The blackout across the prefecture that followed the Sept. 6 temblor also caused major damage.

Damage to the dairy industry is put at 2.1 billion yen, mainly because raw milk had to be dumped following the power outage.

Estimated damage to the fishery sector is estimated at one billion yen as the blackout stopped freezers, making it difficult to keep fishery products frozen.

The prefecture has already said that damage to the tourism industry, including hotels and "ryokan" Japanese-style inns, is estimated at 29.2 billion yen due to cancellations of reservations. Jiji Press