Seiki Sano, 81, stands where his home once stood in Sendai, Japan. It was destroyed in March 2011 in a devastating earthquake and tsunami. The fisherman also lost both of his boats in the tsunami. "It's hard to rebuild," he told iReporter Anthony Altit. "I won't live to see it happen."
Japan: One year later —
Seiki Sano, 81, stands where his home once stood in Sendai, Japan. It was destroyed in March 2011 in a devastating earthquake and tsunami. The fisherman also lost both of his boats in the tsunami. "It's hard to rebuild," he told iReporter Anthony Altit. "I won't live to see it happen."
Japanese children in their dormitory in Minamisanriku, which used to be an exotic hotel. "Everyone around here, it seems, is billeted" in nearby dorms, Altit added.
Japan: One year later —
Japanese children in their dormitory in Minamisanriku, which used to be an exotic hotel. "Everyone around here, it seems, is billeted" in nearby dorms, Altit added.
The Fukushima exclusion zone remains a ghost town nearly a year after the earthquake, the fourth-largest ever recorded, triggered a nuclear meltdown.
Japan: One year later —
The Fukushima exclusion zone remains a ghost town nearly a year after the earthquake, the fourth-largest ever recorded, triggered a nuclear meltdown.
Tokyo-based photographer Osakabe Yasuo recently visited the Fukushima exclusion zone and saw animals, such as this ostrich, wandering the streets. "It still seems like March 11 down there," he said.
Japan: One year later —
Tokyo-based photographer Osakabe Yasuo recently visited the Fukushima exclusion zone and saw animals, such as this ostrich, wandering the streets. "It still seems like March 11 down there," he said.
In Shichigahama, cleanup is still a work in progress. Christina Sawka said this trash pile has grown over the past year, but she is optimistic. "I believe 2012 is a year where people's lives and relationships will be restored," she said.
Japan: One year later —
In Shichigahama, cleanup is still a work in progress. Christina Sawka said this trash pile has grown over the past year, but she is optimistic. "I believe 2012 is a year where people's lives and relationships will be restored," she said.
This statue in Miyagi is of Jizo Bosatsu, one of Buddha's disciples who guides dead children to heaven, said iReporter Jun-ichi Kobayashi. People leave offerings at the statue nearly every day.
Japan: One year later —
This statue in Miyagi is of Jizo Bosatsu, one of Buddha's disciples who guides dead children to heaven, said iReporter Jun-ichi Kobayashi. People leave offerings at the statue nearly every day.
Jeremy Doe, a high-school English teacher living in Kitakami City, took this photo of cherry blossoms to symbolize rebirth. "One year later, we are still dealing with this ... but we are still living," he said.
Japan: One year later —
Jeremy Doe, a high-school English teacher living in Kitakami City, took this photo of cherry blossoms to symbolize rebirth. "One year later, we are still dealing with this ... but we are still living," he said.
The Fukushima meltdown has caused many Japanese to lash out against nuclear power in the country. "As the date of the one-year mark comes closer, these protests only grow stronger," said iReporter David Woo.
Japan: One year later —
The Fukushima meltdown has caused many Japanese to lash out against nuclear power in the country. "As the date of the one-year mark comes closer, these protests only grow stronger," said iReporter David Woo.
Allan Cook, a British expat living in Japan, said posters like this one have started to crop up around the city of Akihabara. "The simple 'thank you' really makes a strong and meaningful impact," he said.
Japan: One year later —
Allan Cook, a British expat living in Japan, said posters like this one have started to crop up around the city of Akihabara. "The simple 'thank you' really makes a strong and meaningful impact," he said.