On March 11, marking 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, a memorial service was held at Higashi-yuenchi Park in Kobe, with around 40 participants observing a moment of silence at 2:46 PM, the time the earthquake struck. Organized by the NPO "1.17 Hope Lights of the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake", attendees lit approximately 1,500 candles arranged to spell '2011 3.11 tsuguru', showcasing their commitment to remember the earthquake victims. Additionally, the event was linked online to a memorial site in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture, where local victims shared their experiences during the moment of silence.

Participants expressed their thoughts on the past 15 years; Masako Kobayashi, who evacuated from Fukushima to Kansai, articulated her frustration but also gratitude for the support from Hyogo locals. She urged people to pay more attention to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Kayoko Watanabe, who lived in Sendai during the disaster, noted the decreasing media coverage of the earthquake over the years but felt reassured by events like this that keep the memory alive. A university student, Keisuke Yamaguchi, also reflected on the importance of remembrance despite not having vivid memories of the event as a child.

The 15th anniversary event, organized by the student group '1.17 Leaders', aimed to continue the legacy of remembrance initiated by prior memorials. One of the members, Kana Kamioka, expressed the desire to maintain this tradition and share the message of 'We have not forgotten' from Kobe. According to Hyogo Prefecture, 459 evacuees from the affected areas were still living in the region as of February, highlighting ongoing support for those displaced by the disaster, even as numbers decline from peak levels in 2012.