Sadly, 2024 in Japan began with disaster. The major New Year¡¯s Day earthquake severely disrupted daily life on Ishikawa Prefecture¡¯s Noto Peninsula and crippled the area¡¯s infrastructure. Charities and fundraising platforms were swift to respond, while other shows of support, including business contributions, have begun to appear.

This month, On: Design looks at different ways craftspeople can provide relief.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, professor Keisuke Kitagawa of the , in collaboration with , has been developing and improving the Instant House, an inflatable, weather-resistant shelter designed to serve as a temporary home. On Jan. 12, Kitagawa installed three of the igloo-shaped shelters outside Wajima Junior High School, along with another Lifull ArchiTech innovation ¡ª corrugated cardboard Instant Houses, which were constructed inside the school¡¯s gymnasium.