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15th Anniversary of Great East Japan Earthquake: Commemoration Amidst Scars and Pledges for the Future
15th Anniversary of Great East Japan Earthquake: A Wave of Commemoration Amidst Scars
On March 11, 2026, the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, people gathered to mourn the victims in various affected areas, including Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures. A solemn atmosphere prevailed as individuals offered silent prayers for the deceased before the quietly lit port of Kamaishi City and the memorial monument in Namie Town. A resident of Minamisanriku Town, one of the surviving employees from the time of the earthquake, commemorated 43 deceased colleagues, stating, “It’s something I cannot forget, even as I live each day.” A woman in Iwaki City visited the beach, explaining, “I cherish the feelings of those who wanted to come but couldn't, so I come here every year,” revealing the deep scars the disaster left on her life.
Efforts to Remember and Pledges for the Future
Efforts to remember the pain of the disaster and prepare for disaster prevention and the future also continued. Evacuation drills for earthquakes and tsunamis were conducted in Miyako City and Tokyo’s Minato Ward, while VR technology was used for earthquake simulations to heighten awareness of disaster situations. A bereaved family member of an Okawa Elementary School graduate emphasized the importance of disaster education, stating, “The loss of children’s lives at school must never be repeated. I hope people will once again understand the importance of life-saving evacuation during a disaster.” The president of TEPCO once again apologized for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, vowing to build a disaster-resilient nation based on the experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Tokyo’s Skytree lit up the night sky with illuminations to signify remembrance. In this way, Japan remembers the tragedy of 15 years ago and moves forward towards a safer future.
*Source: YouTube: 日テレNEWS (2026-03-11)*
