With a moment of silence, prayers and a vow to rebuild the nation, Japan today marked the first anniversary of the massive earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 19,000 people and triggered the world's worst nuclear crisis since 1986.
Memorial services were held in three north eastern prefectures, hit hard by the tsunami — Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima — as well as in Tokyo and elsewhere, with a moment of silence observed across the country at 2:46 pm, the time the 9.0 magnitude quake hit the country and sparked a nuclear crisis at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda led the main memorial ceremony held at Tokyo's National Theatre where a single pillar decorated with white chrysanthemums and lilies was erected, symbolising the souls of the victims.
Nearly 1,200 people dressed in black attended the service and observed silence for the departed souls.
The powerful quake triggered a series of explosions at Fukushima nuclear plant, forcing thousands of people to evacuate to escape radiation.
Shortly after the quake, an immense surge of water enveloped the north eastern coast as a tsunami swept cars, ships, and buildings away, crushing coastal communities. The twin natural disasters claimed more than 15,800 lives, and more than 3,000 people remain unaccounted for.
At the memorial service, Noda pledged Japan would recover from its tragedy, Kyodo news agency reported.
“Our forebears, who led our country to prosperity, stood up with brave resolution in times of crisis,” he said.
Vows to Reconstruction
“While offering our support for the daily struggles of those people in the disaster-affected regions, we will join hands as we seek to fulfil our historic mission of “the rebirth of Japan through reconstruction.”
The emperor, who is recovering from a recent heart surgery, said Japan would “never forget” the tragedy.
In tsunami-ravaged towns along the north-east, residents solemnly placed flowers where homes once stood.
Warning sirens wailed in some areas at the precise time the quake struck.
At dawn today, dozens of people from across Japan gathered at coastal town of Rikuzentakata to offer prayers for loved ones lost in the disaster.
Some wept quietly.
Compensation
Tens of thousands of people rallied near Japan's crippled Fukushima plant, demanding an end to nuclear energy in the country and compensation for victims.
A year after being forced to abandon homes and businesses in the shadow of the Fukushima nuclear plant, tens of thousands of refugees are still in limbo, unable to return and having to battle for compensation.
Slow recovery
Although much of the debris has been cleared, survivors from the devastated north-east have complained about slow recovery efforts.
The country is still dealing with the economic and political fallout of the disaster.
North-east coast
Parts of the north eastern coast are still badly damaged.
Rebuilding efforts represent Japan's greatest challenge since the end of World War II. So far, total damage is estimated at 25 million yen or $300 billion.
Nuclear crisis
Slow progress in drawing up plans for the tsunami and radiation tainted region is deepening the misery of survivors, about 3,26,000 of whom are still homeless, including 80,000 evacuated from the vicinity of the Fukushima plant.
The nuclear crisis also revealed serious flaws in the nuclear industry's regulatory systems and safety standards.
Twelve months on from the disaster, few have received the compensation payouts they expected from plant operator Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO).