Japan holds minute of silence for victims of 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered nuclear crisis in Fukushima

People across the country bowed their heads in prayer at 2.46pm, the moment that the deadly magnitude-9.0 earthquake struck

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Residents of Fukushima prefecture pray at a commemorative event. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 10:04pm, 11 Mar 2019Updated: 10:39pm, 11 Mar 2019

With flowers, silent prayers and tearful tributes, Japan on Monday marked the eighth anniversary of a crippling earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that devastated its northeastern coast and left some 18,500 people dead or missing.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, lawmakers and family members who lost their loved ones in the disaster bowed their heads in prayer at a ceremony in Tokyo at 2.46pm – the moment that the magnitude-9.0 quake struck.

“We can’t help but feel sorrow when we think about the suffering of those who lost beloved family members, relatives and friends,” Abe said.

Eight years on, reconstruction was making “steady” progress, he said, vowing to continue government support to tens of thousands still struggling in uncomfortable living conditions.

A worker measures radiation levels at the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Plant. Photo: EPA

In a constant drizzle, residents in tsunami-hit coastal towns also laid bouquets and bowed their heads as they remembered the moment the waves hit, devastating entire communities in an instant.

Japan holds minute of silence for victims of 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered nuclear crisis in Fukushima

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}People across the country bowed their heads in prayer at 2.46pm, the moment that the deadly magnitude-9.0 earthquake struck

People across the country bowed their heads in prayer at 2.46pm, the moment that the deadly magnitude-9.0 earthquake struck