The Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

With a magnitude of 9.0, the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011 was the largest earthquake ever recorded in Japan. The subsequent tsunami caused extensive damage in the Tohoku region. Furthermore, the unforeseen Fukushima nuclear power plant accident was extremely devastating as well. Local governments and the central government, which had prepared for disaster response based on their experience with previous earthquakes, responded immediately and worked quickly to restore and rebuild afterwards. Reconstruction was largely completed ten years later. However, as there was no knowledge of the nuclear accident, the response was delayed, and subsequent recovery is still in the process of completion. Further efforts should be made from a long-term perspective.