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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." Courtesy Anthony Altit
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. Courtesy Anthony Altit
The Fukushima exclusion zone remains a ghost town nearly a year after the earthquake, the fourth-largest ever recorded, triggered a nuclear meltdown. Courtesy Osakabe Yasuo
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. Courtesy Osakabe Yasuo
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. Courtesy Christina Sawka
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. Courtesy Jun-inchi Kobayashi
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. Courtesy Jeremy Doe
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. Courtesy Dave 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. Courtesy Allan Cook
