Remains Of Tsunami Victim Discovered Decade Later
The remains of a woman, who had been listed as missing since a tsunami hit northeastern Japan in March, 2011, were handed over to her son on the eve of the disaster's 10th anniversary.
The remains belong to Okuyama Natsuko. She was a 61-year-old resident of the Nobiru District of Higashimatsushima City in Miyagi Prefecture at the time of the disaster. Her son, Eiki, received the remains at a police station in the neighboring city of Ishinomaki on Wednesday.
Police said the remains were discovered last month at a company compound in Higashimatsushima. They were later identified as those of the victim through genetic and other tests.
The Nobiru District was hit hard by the tsunami 10 years ago.
Okuyama was one of more than 500 victims in the community.
Police said the remains of six other people discovered in the prefecture have yet to be identified.
Eiki said he is deeply grateful for the search efforts that have now been continuing for a decade. He said there have been times when he has wanted to talk to or rely on his mother, since she went missing, but he will now move on alone.