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Nagoya planetarium recognized as world's biggest

NAGOYA, Japan - Nagoya Mayor Takashi Kawamura holds the certificate during a press conference in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, on Dec. 28, 2011. The city of Nagoya announced that the planetarium at Nagoya City Science Museum has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest. After being renovated at a cost of 2.5 billion yen, the planetarium opened in March 2011 with a diameter of 35 meters. It breaks the previous record held by Ehime Prefectural Science Museum by 5 meters.

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Nagoya planetarium recognized as world's biggest

NAGOYA, Japan - File photo shows the planetarium at Nagoya City Science Museum in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture in March 2011. The city of Nagoya announced on Dec. 28, 2011, that the planetarium has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest. After being renovated at a cost of 2.5 billion yen, the planetarium opened in March with a diameter of 35 meters. It breaks the previous record held by Ehime Prefectural Science Museum by 5 meters.

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Sanriku Railway

KAMAISHI, Japan - A train on Sanriku Railway Co.'s South Rias line takes a test run in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture on March 28, 2014 before resuming full service on April 5. Parts of the train line were closed after being damaged in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

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3 years after quake-tsunami

SENDAI, Japan - Photos taken from Kyodo News helicopter show an area of Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, on March 12, 2011 (top), a day after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, and on Feb. 28, 2014 (bottom).

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3 years after quake-tsunami

SENDAI, Japan - Photos from Kyodo News helicopter show Okawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, on March 23, 2011 (top), nearly two weeks after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, and on Feb. 28, 2014 (bottom). Dozens of pupils fell victim to the disaster.

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3 years after quake-tsunami

SENDAI, Japan - Panoramic photos show an area of Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, on March 16, 2011 (top), five days after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, and on Feb. 28, 2014 (bottom).

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3 years after quake-tsunami

SENDAI, Japan - Photos show the local municipal government's tsunami-hit disaster response building in Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, on March 13, 2011 (top), two days after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, and on Feb. 28, 2014 (bottom).

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3 years after quake-tsunami

SENDAI, Japan - Long-exposure photos show an evening view of Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, on March 17, 2011 (top), six days after the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, and on Feb. 28, 2014 (bottom).

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'Amachan' event in Yokohama for Iwate's reconstruction

YOKOHAMA, Japan - Iwate Prefecture and Yokohama City hold an event in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Jan. 28, 2014, to support the reconstruction of Iwate Prefecture damaged by the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami. Two staff members wear costumes popularized in a recent Japanese TV drama series ''Amachan,'' a story about the ama (female divers) in Iwate Prefecture.

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2 years after quake

NAMIE, Japan - Photos show a road jammed with evacuating cars in the town of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, on March 12, 2011 (top), the day after the massive earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan that triggered a nuclear disaster in the prefecture, and the same location on Feb. 28, 2013, where a checkpoint for a no-entry zone has been set up.

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2 years after quake

SENDAI, Japan - Photos show a baggage turnstile at Sendai Airport in Miyagi Prefecture on March 17, 2011 (top), shortly after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and the same location on Feb. 28, 2013. Flight services at the airport, which was inundated by the tsunami, resumed around a month after the disaster.

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1 and a half years after quake

SENDAI, Japan - Combination photos from a Kyodo News helicopter show a coastal area stretching from the town of Shinchi, Fukushima Prefecture (front), to the town of Yamamoto, Miyagi Prefecture (back), on March 28, 2011 (L), shortly after the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami, and about one and a half years later on Sept. 4, 2012 (R).

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1 and a half years after quake

SENDAI, Japan - Combination photos from a Kyodo News helicopter show an area in the town of Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 28, 2011 (top), after the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake, and about one and a half years later on Sept. 3, 2012 (bottom).

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Students send messages to U.S. teen who found tsunami-swept ball

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Members of Kesen Junior High School's basketball club in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, show a ball on June 28, 2012, on which they have written "Thank you" and other messages in English and Japanese, as well as other gifts for Aleasha Hohorst, an 18-year-old American girl who returned a basketball with the school's name on it after finding it in Alaska in March 2012, a year after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

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Students send messages to U.S. teen who found tsunami-swept ball

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Members of Kesen Junior High School's basketball club in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, show a ball on June 28, 2012, on which they have written "Thank you" and other messages in English and Japanese, for Aleasha Hohorst, an 18-year-old American girl who returned a basketball with the school's name on it after finding it in Alaska in March 2012, a year after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

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Choir from tsunami-hit area sings in NY

NEW YORK, United States - A Japanese choir consisting of students and children from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima -- the prefectures hit hardest by the March 2011 tsunami -- and a choir of college students in New Jersey sing together in a concert in New York on March 28, 2012.

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Soon after disaster, a year later

TOKYO, Japan - Photos show an area of Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 28, 2011 (top), shortly after the March 11, 2011, quake and tsunami, and on March 1, 2012 (bottom), in which restoration work is under way after fishing boats brought ashore by the tsunami were removed.

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Tokyo Tower repairs

TOKYO, Japan - Tokyo Tower in the capital's Minato Ward undergoes work on Feb. 28, 2012, to repair its top part that was distorted by the March 2011 quake.

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Chinese students visit Fukushima

KORIYAMA, Japan - A group of students from Shanghai, China, who have had experience studying in Japan, cook Chinese dumplings with residents of temporary housing in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, on Feb. 28, 2012. They visited the area affected by the March 2011 quake and ensuing nuclear crisis to return their favor to Japan.

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Chinese students visit Fukushima

KORIYAMA, Japan - A group of students from Shanghai, China, who have had experience studying in Japan, cook Chinese dumplings with residents of temporary housing in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, on Feb. 28, 2012. They visited the area affected by the March 2011 quake and ensuing nuclear crisis to return their favor to Japan.

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Chinese students visit Fukushima

KORIYAMA, Japan - A group of students from Shanghai, China, who have had experience studying in Japan, cook Chinese dumplings with residents of temporary housing in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, on Feb. 28, 2012. They visited the area affected by the March 2011 quake and ensuing nuclear crisis to return their favor to Japan.

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Elephant in Chiba Pref. zoo draws picture

CHIBA, Japan - Asian elephant Yumeka holds a brush in her trunk and draws a picture of her father on a bag at the Ichihara Elephant Kingdom, a zoo in Ichihara, Chiba Prefecture, on Jan. 28, 2012. The bag will be put up for auction, with the proceeds going to areas hit by the March 2011 quake and tsunami.

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Poster project to support disaster-hit areas

MIYAKO, Japan - About 150 people gather for a photo shoot in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, on Jan. 28, 2012, for the poster project ''A Beacon of Rebirth'' which aims to support the reconstruction of areas hit by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The levee in the back was swallowed by the tsunami on March 11, 2011. The proceeds from sales of the posters will be donated to disaster-hit municipalities.

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Environment Minister Hosono inspects debris storage site

ISHINOMAKI, Japan - Japanese Environment Minister Goshi Hosono, who concurrently serves as nuclear disaster minister, inspects on Jan. 28, 2012, a temporary storage site for debris created by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture.

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People in Tokyo walk home after March 2011 disaster

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken March 11, 2011, in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward shows people walking to their homes after the massive earthquake paralyzed the public transportation systems in the capital area. Some 34 percent of people walked home from their workplaces or schools in Tokyo's 23 wards without waiting for the resumption of public transportation services, a survey by the Railway Technical Research Institute showed Jan. 28, 2012.

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Residential area inundated a day after March 11 tsunami

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on March 12, 2011 shows a residential area in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, inundated a day after the March 11 tsunami. A panel of the Central Disaster Prevention Council compiled a final report on Sept. 28, 2011 on measures to cope with earthquakes and tsunami based on lessons learned from the tragedy.

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Collective relocation proposed in tsunami-hit city

ISHINOMAKI, Japan - Photo taken on Sept. 28, 2011 shows a downtown area of the Ogatsucho district in the city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, which was devastated by the March 11 tsunami. The hill seen in the background is a candidate site for proposed collective relocation for Ogatsucho residents. The district has lost more than 60 percent of its population since the disaster as many residents have moved out.

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PM Noda meets PNP leader Kamei

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (R) and Shizuka Kamei, leader of ruling coalition partner the People's New Party, hold talks at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Sept. 28, 2011. Noda and Kamei agreed on a third extra budget bill for fiscal 2011 and a tax hike plan to finance reconstruction following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

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Only 6 of 82 quake-hit schools restored in Iwate, Miyagi

SENDAI, Japan - Kesennuma Koyo High School in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, is still damaged on Aug. 28, 2011, more than five months after the March quake and tsunami. The local education board said on Aug. 31, 2011, rebuilding is complete or will soon be finished for only six out of a total of 82 public schools in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, which were severely damaged by the disaster.

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New mayor of tsunami-hit Otsuchi

OTSUCHI, Japan - Yutaka Ikarigawa (C) shakes hands with a supporter after winning the mayoral election in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on Aug. 28, 2011. The election was held to fill the vacancy left by the death of Mayor Koki Kato, who was killed in the March earthquake and tsunami.

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Paper lanterns in Iwate Pref.

MIYAKO, Japan - Residents of temporary housing units in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, for people affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami craft paper lanterns using milk cartons on July 28, 2011. They plan to light up about 2,000 lanterns on Aug. 11 to mark five months since the disaster, around the Obon holiday season in mid-August.

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U.S. envoy Roos in disaster-hit Iwate Pref.

OTSUCHI, Japan - U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos (R) takes part in a barbecue for people affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami at Otsuchi High School in Iwate Prefecture on June 28, 2011. Roos visited the northeastern Japan prefecture, where one of two American teachers confirmed dead in the disaster had been working, to show continued U.S. support for the areas.

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U.S. envoy in disaster area

OFUNATO, Japan - U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos listens to Japanese firefighters who cooperated with a U.S. relief team at a firefighting station in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, on June 28, 2011. The envoy visited the prefecture, where one of two American teachers confirmed dead in the March quake and tsunami disaster had been working.

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Disaster-hit Kesennuma in April and June

KESENNUMA, Japan - Combined photo shows the Kamiyama River in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture on April 28, 2011 (top frame), with vehicles caught up in the March 11 tsunami floating on the surface and cherry blossoms in full bloom on riverbank, and the same river on June 6, 2011 (bottom frame).

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TEPCO releases undisclosed data on nuclear crisis

TOKYO, Japan - Junichi Matsumoto, an official of Tokyo Electric Power Co., speaks during a press conference at the company's headquarters in Tokyo on May 28, 2011, releasing data that had not been disclosed on radiation monitoring at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant when it was crippled by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami and began emitting radioactive materials.

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Tsunami-hit vehicles in Kesennuma

KESENNUMA, Japan - Vehicles swept away in the March 11 tsunami lie in a river in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 28, 2011.

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Search efforts in disaster-hit Minamisoma

MINAMISOMA, Japan - A Self-Defense Forces member wipes off sweat as he searches for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in a muddy field in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 28, 2011.

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Buddhist service to mark 49th day since disaster

KESENNUMA, Japan - A Buddhist monk tolls a bell in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, at 2:46 p.m. on April 28, 2011, the moment a massive earthquake struck the area on March 11. It was the 49th day since the disaster and the souls of the dead are believed to leave for another world after seven weeks, according to traditional Buddhist thought.

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Disaster-hit Haramachi Thermal Power Station

MINAMISOMA, Japan - Photo taken on April 28, 2011, shows the Haramachi Thermal Power Station, operated by Tohoku Electric Power Co., in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, which was devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

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Cherry blossoms in disaster area

KESENNUMA, Japan - Cherry blossoms are in full bloom over a river in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 28, 2011. Many vehicles are left in the river after they were swept into it by the March 11 tsunami.

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BOJ cuts growth forecast for FY 2011

TOKYO, Japan - Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa attends a press conference at the central bank's headquarters in Tokyo on April 28, 2011. The BOJ downgraded its economic growth forecast for fiscal 2011 to 0.6 percent from an earlier projected 1.6 percent as the country has been seriously damaged by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

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Monks, pastor pray for disaster victims

MINAMISANRIKU, Japan - Ten Buddhist monks and a Christian pastor walk ringing bells or chanting in Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 28, 2011. A banner in Japanese reads ''chinkon'' (rest in peace). Buddhist services marking the 49th day since the March 11 quake and tsunami, when it is believed the souls of the dead depart for another world, were held across disaster-struck northeastern Japan.

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Monks, pastor pray for disaster victims

MINAMISANRIKU, Japan - Ten Buddhist monks and a Christian pastor pray at the sea in Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 28, 2011. Banners in Japanese read ''chinkon'' (rest in peace). Buddhist services marking the 49th day since the March 11 quake and tsunami, when it is believed the souls of the dead depart for another world, were held across disaster-struck northeastern Japan.

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Mourning for disaster victims

OTSUCHI, Japan - A memorial service for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami is held at the Buddhist Renjo Temple, whose main alter hall was damaged by the disaster, in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on April 28, 2011. Buddhist services marking the 49th day since the disaster, when it is believed the souls of the dead depart for another world, were held across disaster-struck northeastern Japan.

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Buddhist service for March 11 victims

SOMA, Japan - A Buddhist monk prays during a ceremony to mark the 49th day from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 28, 2011. It is a traditional belief that the souls of the dead leave for another world after seven weeks.

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Tsunami survivors mourn for victims

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Survivors pray for victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami during a Buddhist service in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on April 28, 2011. Buddhist services marking the 49th day since the disaster, when it is believed the souls of the dead depart for another world, were held across disaster-struck northeastern Japan.

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Tokyo DisneySea reopens

URAYASU, Japan - Visitors enjoy themselves at Tokyo DisneySea Park in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, on April 28, 2011, as the park reopened the same day ahead of the Golden Week holiday period, following its closure after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern and eastern Japan. The adjacent Tokyo Disneyland reopened on April 15.

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Tokyo DisneySea reopens

URAYASU, Japan - Visitors enter Tokyo DisneySea Park in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, on April 28, 2011, as the park reopened the same day ahead of the Golden Week holiday period, following its closure after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern and eastern Japan. The adjacent Tokyo Disneyland reopened on April 15.

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Apple launches iPad 2 in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Consumers looking to buy Apple Inc.'s iPad 2 form a long line in front of an Apple store in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district on April 28, 2011, as the new version of the iPad tablet computer went on sale the same day. The company had postponed its Japan release for more than a month after the country's March 11 massive quake and tsunami.

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Apple launches iPad 2 in Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Women hold Apple Inc.'s iPad 2 tablet computers in front of an Apple store in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district on April 28, 2011, as the new version of iPad tablet computer went on sale the same day. The company had postponed its Japan release for more than a month after the country's March 11 massive quake and tsunami.