Mieko Konno, left, principal of Takata Elementary School in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on Oct. 20, 2020, introduces a woman who lost her son in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. (Provided by Mieko Konno)
RIKUZENTAKATA, Iwate Prefecture In this coastal city, almost everyone has a story of tragedy related to the 2011 disaster.
But teachers at the city-run Takata Elementary School here had shielded the pupils from anything related to the tsunami that tore through the city on March 11, 2011.
School staff were concerned that the children were not old enough to hear about the Great East Japan Earthquake and the towering tsunami that killed 1,761 Rikuzentakata residents, including seven pupils at Takata Elementary School.
Source: World Meteorological Organization
The tenth anniversary of the earthquake, Tsunami and nuclear accident in Japan is being marked by ceremonies to mourn the victims and reflection on lessons learned, including stronger multi-hazard early warning systems and environmental emergency response coordination, to prevent a future tragedy.
“Today is a solemn day of remembrance for the 18,400 people who died or are still missing as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami ten years ago. My condolences go to those who continue to grieve the loss of loved ones. And I think of those who remain displaced, unable to return to their homes because of safety concerns surrounding the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a message.
Remembering the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Tragedy a Decade Later
Survivor Ueno Shigeki reflects on the unimaginable 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which decimated his coastal hometown of Kesennuma.
March 12, 2021
In this March 17, 2011, file photo, residents pass through a road that was cleared by bulldozer through the ruins of the city of Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, six days after the March 11 tsunami.
Credit: AP Photo/David Guttenfelder, File
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Ten years ago today, Japan was rocked by a magnitude 9 mega earthquake, followed by a giant tsunami, that brought the country to a standstill. The disaster devastated Japan’s northeast coast, killing some 20,000 people and leaving thousands more missing.
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