Japan plans to use state funds to help residents of areas at high risk of fire obtain earthquake-sensitive breakers to prevent blazes caused by short circuits, sources have said.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency under the internal affairs ministry decided on the financial support in view of a large-scale fire in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, following a massive quake that hit the region's Noto Peninsula in January 2024.
The financial aid is expected to cover part of the costs to buy such breakers for residents in 15 municipalities, including Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward and the city of Kobe, that have areas densely crowded with wooden houses.
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