Timeline of Tragedy: A look back at the long struggle since Fukushima’s 2011 triple disaster

The Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster was a defining moment in Japan’s history.

On March 11, 2011, Japan experienced one of its most devastating natural disasters and the world’s first recorded triple disaster. The event began with a powerful 9.0 magnitude earthquake, the largest to ever hit Japan and the third largest globally since record-keeping began.

The epicenter was located off the Sanriku coast in the Tōhoku region, at a relatively shallow depth of 15 miles beneath the ocean floor. The seismic event set off a massive tsunami. Waves that towered over 32.8 feet high crashed into Japan’s Pacific coastline, stretching over 435 miles and impacting six prefectures.

While the six prefectures in the Tōhoku region and other areas further south were directly affected by the earthquake, the eastern coastal Prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima were most impacted by the devastating tsunami that followed.

The sheer force of the water obliterated towns, severed communication lines, and washed away anything in its path, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos. Compounding the catastrophe was the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant crisis, where the tsunami’s surge overwhelmed the facility’s defenses, leading to the meltdown of three reactors.

The force triggered the release of significant amounts of radioactive material into the environment, marking it as the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. It escalated the situation to a level 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale, the highest rating denoting a “Major Accident” with widespread health and environmental effects.

The immediate aftermath was horrifying. Nearly 18,300 lives were lost, over 2,500 people were reported missing, and more than 6,000 suffered injuries. Additionally, close to 200,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless and leading to an unprecedented economic and humanitarian crisis.

The disaster’s impact was not confined to Japan alone. Repercussions were felt worldwide, emphasizing the global interconnectedness in facing natural and nuclear disasters.

As reported by the Asahi Shimbun on March 4, 2022, a trend has emerged in the years since among municipalities in regions hardest hit by the disaster, particularly a year following the 10th anniversary of the tragic events.

These areas are beginning to reconsider and scale down their annual memorial ceremonies dedicated to the disaster’s victims.

A survey conducted by the Asahi Shimbun involving 35 coastal cities, towns, and villages across the severely affected prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima revealed a changing stance towards the commemoration of the disaster.

Out of those surveyed, only 18 planned to continue with their memorial ceremonies each year. Various reasons were cited for the shift, including the mental health concerns of bereaved families who often speak at these events, as well as a search for alternative ways to honor the memory of those who were lost.

In Miyagi Prefecture where 13 municipalities have historically commemorated March 11 with services, 2023 saw 11 of them forgo any major public events. Onagawa and Shichigahama were among the towns to adopt a more subdued form of remembrance, with the former setting up a flower offering stand and the latter deciding to hold the service less frequently based on feedback from bereaved families.

Cities like Ishinomaki and Higashi-Matsushima, however, plan to proceed with their ceremonies as planned, emphasizing the importance of honoring the victims’ memories. Iwate Prefecture saw a similar mixed response, with 8 municipalities holding memorials in 2023. Only Otsuchi and Kamaishi have had bereaved families speak during their ceremonies, highlighting the ongoing sensitivity around public expressions of grief.

Fukushima Prefecture, despite being the site of the nuclear disaster, had only eight out of ten coastal municipalities conduct memorial events this year. Minami-Soma, significantly affected by the disaster, chose to cancel speeches by bereaved families, a decision driven by the difficulty in finding willing participants amidst concerns about public speaking and media attention.

Some municipalities have explored different methods of commemoration, like Tagajo in Miyagi Prefecture, which has opted for a flower-laying stand to enable broader participation and remembrance. Kesennuma has held a panel discussion focused on disaster memory and preparedness, underscoring the importance of imparting the lessons learned to future generations.

For 2024, many municipalities reconsidered their plans after the January 1 earthquake in Noto renewed public interest in the March 11 anniversary.

March 11, 2024 marked the 13th anniversary of a massive earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster that struck Japan’s northeastern coast. At 14:46 JST, the exact moment that the earthquake occurred in 2011, Milwaukee Independent was in the Futaba District of Fukushima and just over two miles away from the Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The following timeline outlines the major events from the onset of the disaster in 2011 through to March 2024, reflecting on the recovery, reconstruction, and ongoing challenges faced by the affected regions.

Throughout the years, Japan has made significant efforts in recovery, rebuilding, and decontamination. However, the events have left an indelible mark on the country, reshaping its energy policy, environmental consciousness, and disaster preparedness strategies. The release of treated water in 2024 is a pivotal moment in what will be a generational effort, reflecting the long-term challenges of managing the aftermath of one of the worst nuclear disasters in history.