Ceremonies have
been held to mark the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the
north-east of Honshu, Japan’s main island, two years ago, in which more than
18,000 people were left dead or missing.
Emperor Akihito praised the stoicism of survivors, saying how little
they complained, but more and more people are expressing frustration at the
slow pace of reconstruction, as tens of thousands have not been able to return
to their homes.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who has made regular visits to the regions
affected, pledged to try to speed things up , but a fierce debate continues
over the future of nuclear power in Japan.
After the quake damaged the Fukushima nuclear power station, Japan’s 50
reactors were shut down, and only two have been re-opened. Mr Abe would like to get them running again,
but on Sunday, thousands of people marched in Tokyo demanding an end to nuclear power.
(See also my blogs
of 14 and 22 March, 1 April, 2011, and 5 Feb, 2012.)
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