The residents of South Izu Town were fortunate; thanks to Koizumi Mizuki's warning, most people escaped the disaster. But West Izu Town wasn't so lucky, suffering widespread damage, and the post-disaster allocation of relief supplies was pitifully inadequate.
Underworld gangs intervened post-disaster, distributing relief supplies as high-interest loans, maintaining order in the disaster area, and opportunistically acquiring land cheaply, swallowing up residents' investment and advance payments alike — such situations weren't uncommon in 20th century Japan, generally managed by underworld gangs for post-disaster stability.
Everyone suddenly became destitute, except for Mr. Tsuchiya, who profited handsomely.
Even in hardship, life had to go on. Though the residents were poor, they grew more affectionate toward Koizumi Mizuki. They contributed money, muscle, and efforts to help her build a small house beside the lighthouse, finally giving Koizumi Mizuki a home of her own.
