Recovery efforts are continuing step by step in the areas of central Japan that were hit by a deadly earthquake on New Year's Day.

The city of Suzu in Ishikawa Prefecture lost its water supply when the quake struck. On Saturday, 35 households had running water again.

One resident said, "I had to carry water many times to wash clothes. I'm happy to have running water."

In Wajima City, about 10,000 households and businesses are still without water.

The prefecture started running a shuttle bus on Sunday to take Wajima residents to a facility in Hakui City, where they can soak in a large bath tub.
People who had applied in advance got on the bus.

As efforts to rebuild lives continue, people are being urged to be conscious of the risk of disaster-related death.

In the aftermath of last month's quake, 15 people died from suspected disaster-related causes.

Okumura Yoshihiro, Professor of Kansai University, noted that older people are likely to be overburdened by the need to adapt to a new environment.

The expert said, "A person cannot feel safe just because they have evacuated. It's important to remember that the elderly need support from other people after relocation."

Okumura said people should keep these important points in mind and take preventive measures.