The Kansai region marked the 31st anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake on January 17, 2026, a disaster that claimed 6,434 lives. In Kobe, bereaved family members and government officials gathered to renew their commitment to passing on experiences and lessons to future generations.
The Great Hanshin Earthquake struck at 5:46 a.m. on January 17, 1995, devastating the Hyogo Prefecture area, including Kobe. On the 31st anniversary, January 17, 2026, a memorial gathering took place at a park in Kobe, where participants lit bamboo and paper lanterns and observed a moment of silence at the exact time of the quake.
Bereaved family members and government officials expressed renewed determination to share the experiences and lessons from the disaster with future generations. Concerns have been raised about a decline in the number of such memorial events as time passes. The earthquake resulted in 6,434 deaths.
The event underscored the ongoing effort to preserve the memory of the tragedy and enhance disaster preparedness in the Kansai region.
