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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

13th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

13th 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, 2024, the 13th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

13th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

13th 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, 2024, the 13th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

13th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

13th 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, 2024, the 13th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

13th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

13th 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, 2024, the 13th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

13th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

13th 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, 2024, the 13th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

12th anniversary of 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

12th 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, 2023, the 12th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Restoration of 'miracle pine'

Restoration of 'miracle pine'

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - A part of the trunk of the "miracle pine" that initially withstood the massive March 2011 tsunami is suspended from a crane to be planted into the ground in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on Feb. 12, 2013, as restoration of the tree reached the final stage. The remnants of the tree were dissected in September 2012 into several parts for anti-decay treatment.

Last of 2011 quake debris from Iwate heads to Tokyo

Last of 2011 quake debris from Iwate heads to Tokyo

MORIOKA, Japan - The last batch of debris caused by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami is loaded onto a container in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on the morning of Jan. 31, 2014, for disposal in Tokyo. The Tokyo metropolitan government has been engaged in the disposal of such debris in support of reconstruction efforts in the disaster-hit Tohoku region.

Man checks apartment built for 2011 disaster evacuees

Man checks apartment built for 2011 disaster evacuees

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - A man checks his public apartment on Oct. 1, 2014, in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, built for evacuees after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami at the start of relocation to dwelling units from shelters in the northeastern Japan city.

Elevating ground in tsunami-hit city continues

Elevating ground in tsunami-hit city continues

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Huge conveyer belts carry earth and sand from mountains on Sept. 6, 2014, in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, where work to raise the ground level is under way after the area was devastated by the 2011 tsunami. A lone pine tree, a symbol of recovery, is seen in foreground.

Support center for disaster orphans completed

Support center for disaster orphans completed

MORIOKA, Japan - A sandbag is hung from the ceiling of Kazan-no-heya, meaning "volcano room," installed for stress-releasing purposes, in Rikuzentakata Rainbow House in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on June 29, 2014. The facility is run by Ashinaga, an organization that provides educational and emotional support for orphans worldwide, to support orphans from 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan.

Post-quake temporary home residents make owl charms

Post-quake temporary home residents make owl charms

MORIOKA, Japan - Sadako Yoshida, a resident of temporary housing in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, built after the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, holds a bunch of owl-shaped good luck charms called "Fuku-chan," in the northeastern Japan city in March 2014.

Huge belt conveyor removes sand in quake-hit Rikuzentakata

Huge belt conveyor removes sand in quake-hit Rikuzentakata

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - A huge belt conveyor begins operating on March 24, 2014, to remove earth and sand in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, which was damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, and tsunami.

Giant conveyor belt begins operations in Rikuzentakata

Giant conveyor belt begins operations in Rikuzentakata

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Photo taken on March 24, 2014, shows a giant conveyor belt in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan, which was devastated in the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster. The three-kilometer belt, beginning operation the same day, is designed to carry soil for a massive project to move residential areas to higher ground that will be less vulnerable to tsunami.

3 years since quake-tsunami disasters

3 years since quake-tsunami disasters

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Photo taken in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on the morning of March 11, 2014, the third anniversary of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, shows a woman praying at the site where the residence of her male acquaintance used to stand before it was swept away in the tsunami. The man was killed in the disaster.

Pets cheering up owners' spirits since 2011 disaster

Pets cheering up owners' spirits since 2011 disaster

MORIOKA, Japan - Photo taken in December 2013 shows Kazuko Kanno, who lives in a temporary housing with her dog Chako and a cat named Deco, the whereabouts of whose owner remain unknown, in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture. Deko jumped into the Kannos' car when they were about to run away from a tsunami after a powerful earthquake hit the region in March 2011.

Kennedy in disaster-stricken region

Kennedy in disaster-stricken region

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy (L) visits a facility severely damaged by the tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on Nov. 26, 2013, the second day of her tour through the region affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

Kennedy in disaster-stricken region

Kennedy in disaster-stricken region

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - New U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy makes remarks while visiting the lone "miracle pine" that remained after the tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on Nov. 26, 2013, the second day of her tour through the region affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

Harvest moon over "miracle pine"

Harvest moon over "miracle pine"

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Photo taken Sept. 19, 2013, shows a harvest moon above the "miracle pine" in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, hit by the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake. The tree, which initially withstood the tsunami and later died, was reassembled for a monument after being dissected for anti-decay treatment.

2 and a half years after quake

2 and a half years after quake

SENDAI, Japan - Combination photos taken from a Kyodo News helicopter show the "miracle pine" in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on March 27, 2011 (L), soon after the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake, and a restored pine at the same location about two and a half years later on Sept. 6, 2013 (R). The tree, which initially withstood the tsunami and later died, was reassembled for a monument after being dissected for anti-decay treatment.

Miracle pine

Miracle pine

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - The preserved "miracle pine" is illuminated in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on July 3, 2013, after the preservation of the tree that initially survived the devastating March 2011 tsunami. The lighting-up began the same day for the repose of the souls of the disaster victims.

Miracle pine

Miracle pine

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - The preserved "miracle pine" is illuminated in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on July 3, 2013, after the preservation of the tree that initially survived the devastating March 2011 tsunami. The lighting-up began the same day for the repose of the souls of the disaster victims.

Miracle pine preservation

Miracle pine preservation

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Local nursery school children sing during a ceremony on July 3, 2013, to celebrate the preservation of a "miracle pine," which initially survived the devastating March 2011 tsunami, in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture.

Miracle pine preservation

Miracle pine preservation

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - The preserved "miracle pine" is pictured in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, before a ceremony on July 3, 2013, to celebrate the preservation of the tree that initially survived the devastating March 2011 tsunami.

2 years after quake

2 years after quake

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Aerial photos taken by Kyodo News show the "miracle pine" in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on March 27, 2011 (L), after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and sections of the truck being reassembled for a monument on March 6, 2013, after the tree was dissected for anti-decay treatment.

Tsunami-hit city makes use of Facebook

Tsunami-hit city makes use of Facebook

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - An employee of the city government of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, uses Facebook as part of his work at the city hall on Nov. 21, 2012. The northeastern Japan city hit hard by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami has been successful in gathering attention and support from around Japan and the world by making use of Facebook.

Driftwood violins keep alive memories of prequake days

Driftwood violins keep alive memories of prequake days

TOKYO, Japan - Polish violinist Nicolas Chumachenco (L) shows the back of his violin, on which a picture of the famed "miracle pine tree" is drawn. It was the only tree that survived the devastating tsunami that swept away a pine forest on the coast of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on March 11, 2011, when the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred. Photo taken Nov. 3, 2012 in Ikoma, Nara Prefecture. (Photo by Yukie Nishizawa)

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Photo shows the so-called "miracle pine" tree, all the braches of which have been cut off, in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on Sept. 12, 2012. The city conducted the project to move the tree for preservation, after the roots of the plant that survived the March 2011 tsunami were found to be dying from exposure to seawater.

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Photo sequence shows the so-called "miracle pine" tree in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, being cut down on Sept. 12, 2012. The city conducted the project to move the tree for preservation, after the roots of the plant that survived the March 2011 tsunami were found to be dying from exposure to seawater.

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Photo shows the so-called "miracle pine" tree after being cut off from its roots in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on Sept. 12, 2012. The city conducted the project to move the tree for preservation, after the roots of the plant that survived the March 2011 tsunami were found to be dying from exposure to seawater.

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Photo shows the so-called "miracle pine" tree, all the braches of which have been cut off, in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on Sept. 12, 2012. The city conducted the project to move the tree for preservation, after the roots of the plant that survived the March 2011 tsunami were found to be dying from exposure to seawater.

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows people watching the so-called "miracle pine" tree being cut down in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on Sept. 12, 2012. The city conducted the project to move the tree for preservation, after the roots of the plant that survived the March 2011 tsunami were found to be dying from exposure to seawater.

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - People watch the so-called "miracle pine" tree being cut down in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on Sept. 12, 2012. The city conducted the project to move the tree for preservation, after the roots of the plant that survived the March 2011 tsunami were found to be dying from exposure to seawater.

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Photo shows the so-called "miracle pine" tree, some branches of which have been cut off, in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on Sept. 12, 2012. The city conducted the project to move the tree for preservation, after the roots of the plant that survived the March 2011 tsunami were found to be dying from exposure to seawater.

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

"Miracle pine" cut down for preservation

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - A ritual is held in front of the so-called "miracle pine" tree in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on Sept. 12, 2012, before it was cut down to be moved for preservation. The city conducted the project after the roots of the plant that survived the March 2011 tsunami were found to be dying from exposure to seawater.

Soccer ball lost in Japan's tsunami found off Alaska

Soccer ball lost in Japan's tsunami found off Alaska

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Photo shows 16-year-old Misaki Murakami, a second-year high school student in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, on April 22, 2012. A soccer ball, believed to belong to him, was found on the coast of Middleton Island off Alaska after apparently floating across the Pacific Ocean after being swept away from the northeastern Japanese city in the March 2011 tsunami. Murakami received the ball from classmates in March 2005, when he was in third grade, as a farewell gift before he transferred to another school in the city.

'Miracle lone pine' in Rikuzentakata

'Miracle lone pine' in Rikuzentakata

SENDAI, Japan - File photo taken March 27, 2011, shows what is now known as the ''miracle lone pine'' (front) on the coast of Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture. The tree is regarded as a symbol of reconstruction of the area devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami after surviving the gigantic tidal wave that knocked down all the other roughly 70,000 pine trees on a 2-kilometer stretch along the Pacific shore.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

SAPPORO, Japan - A snow sculpture of the so-called ''miracle pine'' tree, which had survived the March tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, is pictured at Odori Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido, on Feb. 6, 2012, the first day of the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. The festival runs through Feb. 12.

'Miracle pine' seedlings

'Miracle pine' seedlings

TOKYO, Japan - A woman shows seedlings in Tokyo on Dec. 14, 2011, of the so-called ''miracle pine'' tree that had survived the March tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture. A report to Rikuzentakata authorities said on Dec. 12, 2011, that the continued survival of the tree, which has become a symbol of the city's reconstruction, is in doubt as its roots have begun to rot due to exposure to salt water. The tree was the only survivor among around 70,000 pines that stood in a scenic area of the Pacific coastal city.

'Miracle pine' in Rikuzentakata

'Miracle pine' in Rikuzentakata

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - Photo taken Dec. 12, 2011, shows an ancient pine tree that withstood the March 11 tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, in northeastern Japan. The tree is the only survivor among around 70,000 pines that stood in a scenic area of the coastal city, and has been dubbed ''the miracle pine'' by residents.

Half year after disaster

Half year after disaster

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - At the site where the main building of the Kongo Temple was swept away by a tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, a fire burns in a rite on Sept. 11, 2011, the six-month anniversary of the March 11 quake and tsunami. The ceremony was attended by Buddhist monks from six prefectures of the Tohoku area of northeastern Japan and some 250 other people. The March 11 disaster killed more than 15,700 people, while 4,000 remain missing, mainly in the Tohoku area.

Half year after disaster

Half year after disaster

RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan - At the site where the main building of the Kongo Temple was swept away by a tsunami in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, a fire burns in a rite on Sept. 11, 2011, the six-month anniversary of the March 11 quake and tsunami. The ceremony was attended by Buddhist monks from six prefectures of the Tohoku area of northeastern Japan and some 250 other people. The March 11 disaster killed more than 15,700 people, while 4,000 remain missing, mainly in the Tohoku area.