Car parked near site of home swept away by 2011 tsunami

Car parked near site of home swept away by 2011 tsunami

OTSUCHI, Japan - Yoshihiro Abe, who lost his parents in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that hit the northeastern Japan region of Tohoku, has his car parked in this file photo of Aug. 11, 2014, near the site of their home that was swept away by the disaster. He regularly visits the location in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, by driving about two hours from the inland town of Shiwa.

Man takes flowers to parents' home on mother's birthday

Man takes flowers to parents' home on mother's birthday

OTSUCHI, Japan - Yoshihiro Abe, who lost his parents in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that hit the northeastern Japan region of Tohoku, carries flowers to the site of their home in Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on July 7, 2014, the birthday of his mother Koyo.

Man prays for his 2011 disaster-victim parents

Man prays for his 2011 disaster-victim parents

OTSUCHI, Japan - Yoshihiro Abe prays for his parents, victims of the March 11, 2011, disaster, as he crouches on a walkway before a lot where his parent's home used to stand in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on June 11, 2014. A message to them that he sprayed on the path in blue ink says, "Where have you gone? We are all waiting for your return."

Message for man's disaster-victim parents

Message for man's disaster-victim parents

OTSUCHI, Japan - Yoshihiro Abe pours water over a message he sprayed for his parents, victims of the March 11, 2011, disaster, on a walkway in front of the land where his parents house used to stand in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on June 11, 2014.

Message for man's disaster-victim parents

Message for man's disaster-victim parents

OTSUCHI, Japan - Yoshihiro Abe pours water over a message he sprayed for his parents, victims of the March 11, 2011, disaster, on a walkway in front of the land where his parents house used to stand in the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture, on June 11, 2014. (Kyodo)