The Japanese crested ibis photographed in a rice paddy in Sado Island. (© OYAMA Fumie)
Ishikawa has seen its share of natural disasters. Following a devastating January 1 magnitude 7.6 earthquake, it suffered the strongest rainfall since the start of record-keeping in the region in September. In some cases, landslides further stalled earthquake recovery efforts.
Nevertheless, as ever, the region is resilient in the face of adversity. Farmers and craftsmen alike are rebuilding their livelihoods.
"The sight of the crested ibis soaring again in the sky will become a symbol of Noto's recovery" ―said Ishikawa Governor HASE Hiroshi.
Formally known as the Nipponia Nippon, the crested ibis is a special natural monument. It is so entrenched in the Japanese identity, that its species name includes "Nippon" (Japan).
However, it became extinct in Japan in 2003 due to modern agricultural practices and overhunting. Ishikawa was the last region in Honshu, Japan's main island, that was home to the species. Accordingly, the prefecture is working hard to restore the crested ibis population.
In September 2024, JAPAN Forward visited the region to uncover the secret to its resilience and appeal. The team interviewed local business owners fighting to restore their livelihoods, as well as crested ibis conservationists. Theirs is a story of coexistence with nature and determination.
The Strength of Handmade Soy Sauce
Small businesses are also leveraging their communities in the recovery. TORII Masako warmly welcomed us to her soy sauce shop in Nanao. The front of the store collapsed in the earthquake, so she is operating at a limited capacity from the side entrance.
Despite the shop's destruction, miraculously, one batch of moromi — the base of the fermented soybean and wheat for the soy sauce — survived the earthquake. Since then, Torii has started rebuilding her business, where everything is handmade and locally sourced.
With the help of a family friend, she set up a crowdfunding page and raised almost ¥22 million (about $147,000) to rebuild the store. "We have so many clients telling us they can't wait for us to start again, we are so incredibly grateful," she told us.
Torii is working toward revitalizing the region after the recent rain. She feels fortunate that her shop has suffered less than many neighboring towns.
Sustainable Charcoal Making
Notohahaso is a company found further south in the forests of Suzu. Focusing on the business of making charcoal for activities like the Japanese tea ceremony, it also promotes sustainability, landscape conservation, and tree planting.
The repeated natural disasters have taken their toll, however. CEO ONO Chojiro told us that smaller earthquakes in 2022 and 2023 cracked four wood-burning kilns. Operations had just restarted when the January 2024 quake hit. Ono remembered thinking, "Not this again." Then in September, they used drones to check for damage and learned that flooding had swept away trees on the mountain and caused a road to collapse.
The business owner cautiously estimated that operations could restart in spring. However, everything is uncertain. Planting and nurturing sawtooth oak trees encourages ecosystem diversity. Human intervention also keeps forest soils clear, facilitating sunlight filtering to tree roots. Ono hopes this will help keep the forest healthy and resilient, with a strong root base to enhance water retention and protect against landslides. He also believes human support of the natural environment promotes the values of a circular economy in the community.
"Natural disasters happen frequently," Ono said. "We need to rethink our relationship with nature. Our aim of sustainably producing charcoal is becoming ever more important."
Malga Gelato's approach is to create flavors that appeal to the five senses. (© Malga Gelato)
A Gelato Store Looking to the Future
SHIBANO Taizo is a world-title-winning gelato maker. He and his brother, Kosuke, manage Malga Gelato, blending innovation and creativity. They reflect the region's seasonal flavors and ingredients, such as rice gelato sourced from the famous paddies in Ishikawa.
Their town, Noto, suffered greatly at the hands of the earthquake, forcing the closure of their shop. Then, the September rains affected the supply of raw ingredients, such as rice which would normally have been in season.
The Shibanos are optimists, however. "It might take some time until customers come back to Noto, but we will do our best to keep moving forward," said Taizo via an online message. As coach of the Japan team in the Asian Gelato Cup that won first prize in October, Shibano hopes to bring some happy news to his native Noto by leading the team to the world title in 2026.
Rice Fields of Crested Ibis
There are those sowing seeds of hope in nature itself.
One is HAMADA Eiji. He is shifting his production methods so his rice paddies can become a feeding ground for the crested ibis.
As he is painfully aware, one of the causes of the bird's extinction last time was the overuse of herbicides and pesticides. Leveraging its long beak, the bird feeds on small animals in the irrigation water in rice paddies
As chemicals killed the ecosystem, the crested ibis struggled to survive.
Hamada is trying to change all that. He limits fertilizer and pesticides to foster the bird's feeding prey. His rice fields also feature large grooves to hold stagnant water, welcoming frogs and tadpoles.
Ultimately, he hopes these efforts can revitalize the region. "I would love it if more people would come to this area to see the crested ibis."
The Toils of Breeding: Toki Satoyama Center
One of the key places to realize the recovery of the crested ibis in the prefecture is the Ishikawa Zoo.
Home to red pandas and capybaras, it also hosts the Toki Satoyama Center. Here, people like OI Tsuyoshi and DEMURA Satoshi work around the clock so that the crested ibis can breed, grow, and train before their release in the wild on Sado Island.
Approximately 300,000 people a year come to the Ishikawa Zoo and the Toki Satoyama Center, says Oi.
The center's staff efforts are paying off. In 2023, seven chicks successfully hatched in the zoo. So far, approximately 90 crested ibises have been born and sent to Sado for their return to the wild.
Local Government Support
Behind individual efforts, Ishikawa Prefecture is providing support to bringing the crested ibis back to the region. After all, Noto is the last area of Honshu, Japan's main island, where the species found its habitat before disappearing in 2003. The government therefore selected the region as a candidate site for the bird's release.
"Since then, we have been working with local residents preparing the crested ibis for release into the wild, including developing rice paddies that will serve as feeding grounds," explained Ishikawa Governor Hase in an official statement.
Despite the earthquake, residents are committed to the bird's release. He pledged that "The sight of the crested ibis soaring again in the sky will become a symbol of Noto's recovery."
A Tale of Revival After Facing Extinction
Muramoto is a key person pushing these efforts along.
Since surviving World War II, Muramoto has dedicated much of his life to conservation and raising awareness of the bird.
"I plan to live until I see the crested ibis return here," said the almost centenarian, who still shows visitors around his museum. He built the structure on his property, at his own expense, to leave behind an environment that nurtures the crested ibis for future generations. Over 1000 visitors have come to learn more about the majestic bird, he told us proudly.
Saying our goodbyes to Muramoto, it was hard not to be affected by his enthusiasm and resolve. He is a symbol of all the people in Ishikawa working tirelessly to rebuild their lives in harmony with nature.
Ishikawa Prefectural authorities have also been undeterred in their rebuilding efforts. "The recovery and reconstruction of the twice-hit Noto region will be arduous," Ishikawa Governor HASE Hiroshi told JAPAN Forward. "However, we will keep supporting the people in the affected areas, overcome these challenges, and build back better," he added.
See Governor Hase's full statement on supporting the region's recovery and resilience.
This article was written in collaboration with the Government of Japan.
Author: Arielle Busetto, Mika Sugiura
Video: Shaun Fernando
