[Breaking News]15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

SENDAI, Japan, March 11 Kyodo - People pray in the Arahama coastal area in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, at 2:46 p.m. on March 11, 2026, exactly 15 years after the Great East Japan Earthquake struck northeastern Japan, triggering a massive tsunami. (Kyodo)

[Breaking News]15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan, March 11 Kyodo - The monument to the "Miracle Pine," the only tree in a coastal forest that was not flattened by the deadly tsunami in northeastern Japan, is pictured in the morning sun in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2026, the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. (Kyodo)

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Photo taken from Namie in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, shows the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on March 10, 2026, a day before the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search around the tsunami-hit coastal area in Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2026, the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, for clues as to the whereabouts of people still missing.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search around the tsunami-hit coastal area in Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2026, the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, for clues as to the whereabouts of people still missing.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search around the tsunami-hit coastal area in Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2026, the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, for clues as to the whereabouts of people still missing.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search around the tsunami-hit coastal area in Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2026, the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, for clues as to the whereabouts of people still missing.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search around the tsunami-hit coastal area in Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2026, the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, for clues as to the whereabouts of people still missing.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search around the tsunami-hit coastal area in Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2026, the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, for clues as to the whereabouts of people still missing.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search around the tsunami-hit coastal area in Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2026, the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, for clues as to the whereabouts of people still missing.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Japan Coast Guard officers search around the tsunami-hit coastal area in Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2026, the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, for clues as to the whereabouts of people still missing.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

The monument to the "Miracle Pine," the only tree in a coastal forest that was not flattened by the deadly tsunami of March 2011 in northeastern Japan, is pictured in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on March 9, 2026, two days ahead of the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

The monument to the "Miracle Pine," the only tree in a coastal forest that was not flattened by the deadly tsunami of March 2011 in northeastern Japan, is pictured in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on March 9, 2026, two days ahead of the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

The monument to the "Miracle Pine," the only tree in a coastal forest that was not flattened by the deadly tsunami of March 2011 in northeastern Japan, is pictured in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on March 9, 2026, two days ahead of the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

15th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

The monument to the "Miracle Pine," the only tree in a coastal forest that was not flattened by the deadly tsunami of March 2011 in northeastern Japan, is pictured in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, in the early hours of March 9, 2026, two days ahead of the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Japan defense minister at ASDF base in Miyagi Pref.

Japan defense minister at ASDF base in Miyagi Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi boards a Japan Air Self-Defense Force Blue Impulse aerobatic team plane during a visit to the ASDF's base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on March 8, 2026. The plane flew over coastal areas of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures devastated by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami disaster, ahead of its 15th anniversary.

Japan defense minister at ASDF base in Miyagi Pref.

Japan defense minister at ASDF base in Miyagi Pref.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi boards a Japan Air Self-Defense Force Blue Impulse aerobatic team plane during a visit to the ASDF's base in Higashimatsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on March 8, 2026. The plane flew over coastal areas of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures devastated by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami disaster, ahead of its 15th anniversary.

Anthony Geary 1947 - 2025

Anthony Geary 1947 - 2025

“General Hospital” icon Anthony Geary, 78, died on Dec.14 following complications from an operation three days prior in The Netherlands.—————————————————————————————————————————————————— Anthony Geary ABC Daytime salutes Broadway Cares - The Grand Finale Celebration. Held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on March 13, 2011. Photo bySteven Bergman

Anthony Geary 1947 - 2025

Anthony Geary 1947 - 2025

“General Hospital” icon Anthony Geary, 78, died on Dec.14 following complications from an operation three days prior in The Netherlands.—————————————————————————————————————————————————— Anthony Geary ABC Daytime salutes Broadway Cares - The Grand Finale Celebration. Held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on March 13, 2011. Photo bySteven Bergman / AFF/ABACAPRESS.COM

Anthony Geary 1947 - 2025

Anthony Geary 1947 - 2025

“General Hospital” icon Anthony Geary, 78, died on Dec.14 following complications from an operation three days prior in The Netherlands.—————————————————————————————————————————————————— Anthony Geary & Jonathan Jackson ABC Daytime salutes Broadway Cares - The Grand Finale Celebration. Held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on March 13, 2011. Photo by Steven Bergman / AFF/ABACAPRESS.COM

Anthony Geary 1947 - 2025

Anthony Geary 1947 - 2025

“General Hospital” icon Anthony Geary, 78, died on Dec.14 following complications from an operation three days prior in The Netherlands.—————————————————————————————————————————————————— Anthony Geary & Jonathan Jackson ABC Daytime salutes Broadway Cares - The Grand Finale Celebration. Held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on March 13, 2011. Photo by Steven Bergman / AFF/ABACAPRESS.COM

Japan police chief in Fukushima

Japan police chief in Fukushima

Japan's National Police Agency chief Yoshinobu Kusunoki offers flowers at a memorial for victims of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Namie in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Dec. 3, 2025.

Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody Over Campaign Financing

Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody Over Campaign Financing

File photo - Franco-Lebanese Ziad Takieddine, flanked by his lawyer, Ludovic Landivau leaving the Paris financial crimes court on October 5, 2011, after his hearing. Takieddine, who was intermediaire sales of submarines to Pakistan and is charged for fraud and corruption in the financial aspect of "Karachi's case", asked France's president Nicolas Sarkozy to remove the secrecy for national security reasons on French weapons sales contracts to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the 90's, he told BFM TV French TV network on September 29, 2011. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was in police custody on Tuesday morning March 20, 2018, an official in the country’s judiciary said. He was to be questioned as part of an investigation into suspected irregularities over his election campaign financing, the same source added. The probe related to alleged Libyan funding for Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign, Le Monde newspaper reported. Photo by Mousse/ABACAPRESS.COM

Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody Over Campaign Financing

Nicolas Sarkozy In Police Custody Over Campaign Financing

File photo - Franco-Lebanese Ziad Takieddine, flanked by his lawyer, Ludovic Landivau leaving the Paris financial crimes court on October 5, 2011, after his hearing. Takieddine, who was intermediaire sales of submarines to Pakistan and is charged for fraud and corruption in the financial aspect of "Karachi's case", asked France's president Nicolas Sarkozy to remove the secrecy for national security reasons on French weapons sales contracts to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the 90's, he told BFM TV French TV network on September 29, 2011. Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was in police custody on Tuesday morning March 20, 2018, an official in the country’s judiciary said. He was to be questioned as part of an investigation into suspected irregularities over his election campaign financing, the same source added. The probe related to alleged Libyan funding for Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign, Le Monde newspaper reported. Photo by Mousse/ABACAPRESS.COM

[Breaking News]Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

OTSUCHI, Japan, Aug. 15 Kyodo - Fireworks are set off in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on Aug. 15, 2025, in memory of those killed in the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster that devastated the northeastern Japan town. (Kyodo)

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks are set off in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on Aug. 15, 2025, in memory of those killed in the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster that devastated the northeastern Japan town.

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks are set off in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on Aug. 15, 2025, in memory of those killed in the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster that devastated the northeastern Japan town.

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks are set off in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on Aug. 15, 2025, in memory of those killed in the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster that devastated the northeastern Japan town.

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks launched for victims of March 2011 disaster

Fireworks are set off in Otsuchi in Iwate Prefecture on Aug. 15, 2025, in memory of those killed in the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster that devastated the northeastern Japan town.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Paper cranes folded by people wishing for the early reconstruction from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in eastern Japan are hung in front of a department store in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Tanabata festival in Sendai

Paper cranes folded by people wishing for the early reconstruction from the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in eastern Japan are hung in front of a department store in Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025, as the annual Sendai Tanabata Festival begins for a three-day run.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

OSAKA, Japan, May 20 Kyodo - Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (far R) pitches fishery foods at a just-opened exhibition at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, highlighting the recovery of three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. (Kyodo)

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Visitors watch a movie at the World Exhibition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, as an exhibition highlighting recovery of the three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster begins the same day.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

An exhibit shows the height of the tsunami that hit northeastern Japan in March 2011 as an exhibition highlighting the recovery of the three prefectures severely affected by the earthquake-tsunami disaster begins at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (2nd from R) poses in front of a "digital monument" at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, as an exhibition highlighting the recovery of the three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster begins the same day. Shown on the screen is the "Miracle Pine," the only tree that survived in a coastal forest flattened by tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (far R) pitches fishery foods at a just-opened exhibition at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, highlighting the recovery of three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Disaster recovery exhibition at Osaka expo

Turin Olympics figure skating gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa (2nd from L) poses for a photo during the opening ceremony of an exhibition at the World Exposition in Osaka on May 19, 2025, highlighting the recovery of the three northeastern Japan prefectures severely affected by the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster.

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

HIGASHIMATSUSHIMA, Japan, May 5 Kyodo - Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster. (Kyodo)

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster.

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster.

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster.

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster.

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers in tsunami-hit city

Carp streamers fly above a field in Higashimatsushima, a Miyagi Prefecture city devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, on May 5, 2025, in a Children's Day event in memory of those killed in the disaster.

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

OFUNATO, Japan, March 12 Kyodo - Flowers are seen placed on a stand set up in front of a monument created in memory of tsunami victims in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on March 11, 2025, the 14th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. (Kyodo)

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Lanterns are lit at the former Okawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on March 11, 2025, the 14th anniversary of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country's northeast. A total of 74 students, and 10 teachers and officials of the school died or went missing when it was engulfed by the tsunami.

Japan: Colorful Balloons Released to Mark 14th Anniversary of 2011 Earthquake

Japan marked 14th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on Tuesday, March 11. At former Arahama Elementary School in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, whose building was damaged in the natural disaster, the commemoration event "HOPE FOR project" was held where people released colorful balloons after observing a moment of silence at 2:46 p.m., the time of the 2011 earthquake.

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search the coastline of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, for clues about the fate of people who went missing after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake that triggered a massive tsunami, on March 11, 2025, the 14th anniversary of the disaster.

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search the coastline of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, for clues about the fate of people who went missing after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake that triggered a massive tsunami, on March 11, 2025, the 14th anniversary of the disaster.

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Police officers search the coastline of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, for clues about the fate of people who went missing after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake that triggered a massive tsunami, on March 11, 2025, the 14th anniversary of the disaster.

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

14th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

The monument to the "Miracle Pine," the only tree that survived in a coastal forest flattened by the deadly tsunami in March 2011 in northeastern Japan, is pictured in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2025, the 14th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.