The afternoon of March 11, 2011, remains etched in the collective memory of Japan. A magnitude 9.0 earthquake, one of the strongest ever recorded, unleashed devastation that reshaped the nation’s history. It triggered a massive tsunami, sweeping away entire communities and leaving more than 22,000 people dead or missing. In the aftermath, hundreds of thousands were displaced, their lives forever altered.
Among the most enduring consequences of this disaster was the Fukushima nuclear meltdown. The tsunami crippled the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, leading to one of the worst nuclear accidents since Chernobyl. The radioactive fallout rendered vast areas uninhabitable, forcing entire towns to be abandoned. Families were torn apart, and many have never returned to their homes.
Now, 13 years later, the pain remains fresh for many. The recent ruling by Japan’s Supreme Court, which acquitted two former top executives of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), has reignited sorrow and anger. Many see this verdict as a denial of justice, a refusal to hold those responsible accountable for the suffering of thousands. Survivors, activists, and citizens alike view it as yet another tragedy linked to the catastrophe that upended their lives.
For the people of Japan, March 11 is not just a date on the calendar—it is a wound that refuses to heal. The country remembers the lives lost, the communities destroyed, and the lingering scars of a disaster that changed everything. The question remains: will there ever be true accountability for what happened?
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