Post by : Shakul

Japan marked the 15th anniversary of the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami on March 11, remembering thousands of victims of one of the worst natural disasters in modern history. The catastrophe began with a powerful 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck northeastern Japan in 2011, triggering massive tsunami waves that destroyed coastal communities and caused a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The disaster became the worst nuclear crisis since the Chernobyl disaster. In total, more than 22,000 people were killed or remain missing.

Across the country, people observed a moment of silence at 2:46 PM, the exact time the earthquake struck 15 years ago. Memorial ceremonies were held in the hardest-hit areas, including Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, and Fukushima Prefecture. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended a memorial event in Fukushima, offering condolences to victims’ families and pledging continued efforts for reconstruction and disaster preparedness.

Families of victims also gathered at memorial sites such as the ruins of Okawa Elementary School, where 84 students and teachers lost their lives in the tsunami. Authorities say 15,901 deaths have been officially confirmed, while more than 2,500 people are still missing. Police teams continue to search coastal areas for remains even after 15 years, showing how deeply the tragedy still affects communities.

Meanwhile, cleanup work at the Fukushima nuclear plant remains a major challenge. The plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company, aims to dismantle the damaged facility by 2051. Experts estimate that about 880 tonnes of melted nuclear fuel debris remain inside the reactors. Despite reconstruction efforts, around 26,000 people are still displaced from their homes due to radiation contamination, highlighting the long-term impact of the disaster.

#Entertainment News #Asia News #Survival