As the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake approaches, around 26,000 individuals are still living in temporary shelters, while recovery efforts in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures are nearing completion.
Fifteen years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, which resulted in over 22,000 deaths or missing persons nationwide. Recovery has made significant strides in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, where housing and infrastructure improvements have largely been completed. However, psychological support and some initiatives for displaced residents will continue as the government withdraws its support to transition to local management of these efforts. Notably, the Fukushima region faces a different recovery trajectory, particularly due to the ongoing nuclear disaster consequences from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, leaving many still unable to return home.
As of February 1st, about 26,000 evacuees remain from the disaster, primarily centered around Fukushima, with 47,000 having evacuated at the peak of the crisis. The government has announced a budget totaling approximately 33 trillion yen committed to recovery projects, with a substantial portion earmarked for initiatives in Fukushima. These include plans for the decommissioning of the nuclear plant, support for residents through various safety and cleanup measures, and innovative solutions to manage contaminated materials.
The challenges at the Fukushima Daiichi site are immense, with approximately 880 tons of melted fuel debris remaining in reactors 1 to 3, of which only 0.9 grams have been retrieved to date. As the national and local government prepares to close offices dedicated to the recovery in Iwate and Miyagi by the end of March, significant efforts remain in west Fukushima, highlighting the long path toward full recovery and the ongoing need for support for those still displaced by the tragedy.
