Events Held In Fukushima To Remember 3/11
People in Fukushima Prefecture held events to mark 10 years since a powerful earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan and triggered a nuclear accident.
Six beams of light shined through the night sky in Minamisoma City on Thursday, where tsunami killed 636 people -- the highest number of deaths in the prefecture. The annual event has been held on March 11 for the last four years.
A man who owns a clothing shop said it is very beautiful, and that he hopes to contribute to the community through his work.
An official said the city was devastated by the disaster and the nuclear accident. He said he wants to work on various events to create a city that attracts people.
A ceremony to turn on the "Light of Hope" monument was held at the Okuma Town office in the prefecture on Thursday.
The light was passed to the town from another "Light of Hope" monument in Kobe, western Japan, to mark 10 years since the 2011 disaster. A gas lamp on the Kobe monument commemorates the victims of the massive earthquake in 1995, and has been burning since 2000.
The new monument in Okuma uses LED lights, instead of a gas lamp.
Okuma Town Mayor Yoshida Jun said the town experienced a disaster similar to what happened in Kobe. He said the town will not forget the disaster and will carry on with reconstruction work for future generations.
Fujimoto Shinichi, a senior official of a non-profit organization which manages the Kobe monument, said the city stands with areas stricken by the 2011 disaster. He says he wants to help the town convey its experience to others.