Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami devastate Tohoku, including Minamisanriku

On 11 March 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck off Japan's Pacific coast in the afternoon. It was the strongest earthquake recorded in Japan, and it triggered a massive tsunami that swept across the coast of the Tohoku region in the country's north-east.

Minamisanriku, a fishing town in Miyagi Prefecture, was among the hardest-hit communities. The waves destroyed much of the town, including homes, harbours and public buildings, and many residents were killed or went missing. Across the region, the disaster left tens of thousands of people dead or missing and forced many more from their homes.

The tsunami also caused the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, adding a long-running nuclear emergency to the humanitarian crisis. It became known in Japan as the Great East Japan Earthquake.

The disaster shaped Japan's approach to disaster preparedness and reconstruction. Memorials and commemorative events in affected towns, including Minamisanriku, continue to honour the victims and reflect on recovery, which is the context for works created in remembrance and hope.