Japan marks 15 years since Fukushima nuclear crisis

Japan commemorates 15 years since the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and Fukushima nuclear disaster, with PM Sanae Takaichi pledging a new Disaster Management Agency to strengthen national preparedness.

Reuters

11 March 2026 at 08:31:13

Japan marks 15 years since Fukushima nuclear crisis

A woman offers flowers in the swash zone to mourn victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and triggered the worst nuclear accident since Chornobyl, on the day marking the 15th anniversary of the disaster, at a beach in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, March 11, 2026.

Kyodo

Japan on Wednesday (March 11) marked 15 years since the massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami that left more than 20,000 people dead or missing and triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended a memorial ceremony in Fukushima to pay her respects to the victims and vowed to establish a Disaster Management Agency that will serve as a “command centre” for comprehensive disaster response.

“We will advance to build a nation resilient to disasters,” Takaichi said, before laying down flowers at an altar.

The March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami caused the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl at Tokyo Electric Power Co's (Tepco) Fukushima Daiichi plant, some 220 km (137 miles) northeast of Tokyo, where three reactors suffered meltdowns.

Production: Rikako Maruyama/Reuters