Japan marks 14 years since 2011 disaster

Tokyo

Japan on Tuesday commemorated 14 years since the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, which triggered a nuclear crisis that still impacts the region.

At a memorial in Fukushima, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba offered condolences and pledged to make Japan a global leader in disaster prevention. "We will use our experience to strengthen preparedness and response systems," Ishiba said.

The 2011 earthquake, measured at magnitude 9.0, remains Japan’s strongest recorded quake. The tsunami that followed reshaped the Pacific coastline, leaving nearly 20,000 dead or missing and destroying over 350,000 buildings. The disaster also led to a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, forcing long-term evacuations.

Japan has since made significant progress in rebuilding efforts, focusing on disaster resilience and evacuation planning. However, many affected residents still await full restoration of their communities.

Last week, Ishiba convened a meeting on reconstruction efforts, emphasizing the government’s commitment to Fukushima’s recovery. "Without Fukushima’s reconstruction, there is no revival of Japan," he stated, urging officials to accelerate rebuilding efforts.

Japan remains determined to ensure the disaster is never forgotten while reinforcing measures to prevent future calamities.