Quake-Hit Schools Resume Classes in Osaka

June 21, 2018

Takatsuki, Osaka Pref.- Some 160 public elementary and junior high schools in Osaka Prefecture resumed classes on Thursday after closing following Monday's strong earthquake that rocked the western Japan prefecture hard, damaging more than 1,000 buildings.

They included Juei Elementary School in the city of Takatsuki, where a nine-year-old fatal victim of the temblor studied as a fourth grader.

Many students arrived at the city-run school in the morning with their parents, some exchanging greetings with teachers boisterously and others still having nervous looks on their faces.

The victim, Rina Miyake, died after she got trapped under a concrete block wall that collapsed onto a sidewalk next to the school's swimming pool. She was on her way to school at the time of the 6.1-magnitude quake, which registered lower 6, the third-highest level on the country's seismic intensity scale of 7, in northern Osaka, including Takatsuki.

After the incident, the wall was found to be violating the country's building safety standards.

The school's principal, Yoshimi Tanaka, explained about the accident at a school assembly.

"She was a girl with a beautiful smile and was a hard worker who strived for a dream," Tanaka said to the students. "Please don't forget her."

At the assembly, students, some in tears, as well as teachers offered silent prayers for Miyake.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the accident site on Thursday morning to lay flowers and pray for the victimized girl.

"The tragedy should never be repeated," Abe told reporters. "We're determined to ensure the safety of schools by conducting emergency inspections of block walls across the country."

The prime minister went to Osaka to learn of the extent of the quake's damage at firsthand.

Besides the elementary school in Takatsuki, he visited a makeshift bathing facility set up by Self-Defense Forces personnel in the neighboring city of Ibaraki for use by local residents. Gas supply has been halted in the city.

Meeting with Takatsuki Mayor Takeshi Hamada and Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui, Abe conveyed the central government's readiness to offer strong support, including financially, to the affected municipalities.

The same day, Hamada also visited the site where the girl fell victim to lay flowers for her. "I feel very sorry and am resolved to work on ensuring safety," the mayor said.

In Osaka Prefecture, 10 houses had been confirmed to be badly damaged and 781 partially damaged by the quake as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday (10:30 p.m. Wednesday GMT), according to the prefecture. In addition to dwellings, damage was confirmed for at least 214 buildings, including stores and warehouses. The figures are expected to rise further as data on buildings in Takatsuki and Ibaraki have yet to be compiled fully.

In three neighboring prefectures including Kyoto, a total of 318 buildings had been confirmed to be damaged as of 2 p.m. Thursday, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

The death toll from the quake stood at five, while 415 people were injured, and some 1,100 people remained evacuated, the agency said.

Gas supply has been suspended for some 110,000 houses. The SDF relief team has started the temporary bathing service also in Takatsuki. Jiji Press