Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries and experiences thousands of minor tremors each year. But the Kobe earthquake was one of the worst in the country's history - 6,433 people died. Nearly 27,000 people were injured, and more than 45,000 homes were destroyed. The total cost of repairing the damage was estimated at more than $100 billion. . Kobe struggled to overcome the huge impact of the 1995 earthquake. New office blocks and malls were built to attract back the 50,000 people who left after the quake.Japanese scientists have since tried to improve prediction of quakes, but seismology is an inexact science and it is extremely difficult to forecast when and where quakes it will occur