March 11, 2011: A Dark Day in Japanese History
March 11, 2011, will go down in Japanese history as one of the country's darkest days. The 9.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Tohoku, causing a huge tsunami and a nuclear disaster that swept homes, bridges, and other facilities about six miles inland. Unfortunately, over sixteen thousand people died. Today, as we reflect on the events of that day, Japan has never fully recovered. Recovery and restoration are also underway. Assigns and trauma lay everywhere, various healing measures have taken place and some are also underway.
Indirect Effects on Cities and Households
For starters, cities and households continue to experience a variety of indirect effects as a result of the earthquake. A case in point is Miura, an elderly whose house was destroyed and the son lost a job. These effects reverberate in the family to date as the man has to fend for the son as he tries to put up the structure that was his house (Miyagi, Para 3). The recovery process for such families has been slow and can still be witnessed today. Fukushima still reels from the nuclear leakages it experienced after the onslaught by Mother Nature.
Infrastructure Reconstruction
However, despite the slow reconstruction of lives and families, infrastructure is in a steady growth. The Japan Times (Para 1) notes that about 96% of land that had been consumed by seawater in Miyagi has been restored and over 90% of rails and roads are now functional. These improvements indicate part of the concerted efforts that are still in progress.
Painful Memories and Ongoing Recovery
Lastly, and notably, the painfully memories of the losses are still etched in the minds of most Japanese, who painfully witnessed the day, and luckily made it through. Harris (Para 4) narrates different stories of various people who saw their friends and relatives succumb. Their lives are in one way or another affected by the aftermath of the earthquake today. They either live suffering from the painful consequences or amid the rumbles and the processes of building up. Many people narrate how they live affecting the victims that were rendered disabled.
Continuing Recovery Process
In essence, Japan is still reeling from the consequences of 3/11. The process of recovery is evident from the reconstruction of infrastructure which is still going on to date. However, the people's recovery has been marred by painful memories that still affect them and families that still suffer to this day. 3/11 was a painful day for Japan, and there is still more that needs to be done, inasmuch as the day cannot be erased.
Works Cited
Aoki, Mizuho. Survivors fall Between Cracks of Reconstruction System. Japan Times, 2017. http://features.japantimes.co.jp/march-11-recovery/. Accessed 4 Jul, 2017.
Harris, Mark Edward. Five Years after Japan's 3/11 Quake, Survivors Find Relief in Recovery, Vanity Fair, Mar 10 2016, http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/03/japan-311-earthquake-five-years-later. Accessed 4 Jul 2017.
Japan Times Editors. Six years after the 3/11 disasters. The Japan Times, Mar 10 2017, http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2017/03/10/editorials/six-years-311-disasters/#.WVrG4YSGPak. Accessed 4 Jul 2017.
