Japan remembers disaster - 17th March 2021

People are remembering a terrible disaster in Japan. 10 years ago, a huge earthquake caused a tsunami. Thousands of lives were lost.

The earthquake happened at 2.46pm on 11th March, 2011. Exactly 10 years later, Japan stood completely silent. People carried flowers for the dead. They wrote letters to lost family and placed them in the sea.

Tomoi Ogi was surprised by her emotions.

Tomoi Ogi: "I don't know why, but I felt a lot more emotional this morning than I was at each of the past anniversaries. Maybe I'm getting old. I woke up and watched TV, and then I was thinking to myself: 'Oh, it has been really 10 years.' It feels long, but it also feels short."

Over 15,000 people were killed in the disaster. Most lives were lost in the tsunami. People continue to search for family who are still missing.

The Fukushima nuclear power station was also damaged by the tsunami. Lots of dangerous radiation fell on the land around Fukushima. Because of this, 40,000 Japanese people are unable to return home.

10 years on, Japan is more prepared, and large walls by the sea will keep towns safe in future tsunamis. Escape plans have also improved. Japan needs these preparations because it often has earthquakes.

Japan also closed most of its nuclear power stations. The project to clean up Fukushima is still not finished. The region is empty and its future is uncertain.