3.11 Memorial Event in Fukushima

It has been 14 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011.
This year, memorial events were held across Fukushima Prefecture to remember the tragedy and pray for continued recovery.

On March 9, a memorial and recovery event took place at the Prefectural Museum in Aizu-Wakamatsu City. The event featured a candle night where locals lit handmade candles, followed by a fireworks display. Everyone joined in prayer, renewing their hopes for recovery and paying tribute to the victims.

On March 11, a “3.11 Memorial Event” was held at the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum in Futaba Town. At 2:46 p.m., the time when the earthquake struck, participants observed a moment of silence facing the Pacific Ocean from the rooftop terrace of the museum.

Futaba Town is home to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, where all residents were forced to evacuate. Today, only about 180 people have returned. Looking out from the museum toward the sea, the area remains an empty field with no signs of its former state even after 14 years.

At the event, local traditional performing arts, which had long been suspended, were performed, along with a koto (Japanese instrument) performance by a musician from the area. The musician shared that one of her friends from middle school was lost to the tsunami. The soulful tones of the koto naturally brought tears to many eyes.

The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum provides detailed insights into the earthquake and the subsequent nuclear disaster.

Fukushima Prefecture promotes “Hope Tourism” to share the lessons learned from the earthquake and nuclear disaster. Visiting these sites and learning about the disaster offers a deeper understanding and meaning when traveling to Fukushima.

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