Japan Marks 15 Years Since Tsunami Disaster As Prime Minister Pushes More Nuclear Energy Use Japan commemorated the 15th anniversary of the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster on its northeastern coast, with the government emphasizing its commitment to expanding nuclear energy use. The magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11, 2011, caused widespread devastation, resulting in over 22,000 deaths and displacing nearly half a million people. The disaster also triggered a catastrophic failure at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, leading to meltdowns in three reactors and ongoing challenges in managing radioactive contamination. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addressed the anniversary by pledging to accelerate recovery efforts in the affected regions and promote nuclear power as a reliable energy source. This marks a significant shift from Japan’s previous decade-long nuclear phase-out plan, which was reversed in 2022. Takaichi emphasized the need to reinforce lessons learned from the disaster, including the importance of nuclear energy in ensuring energy security. The Fukushima Daiichi plant, which lost power and cooling systems during the disaster, continues to face critical challenges. At least 880 tons of melted fuel debris remain within the damaged reactors, though detailed information about their condition is limited due to high radiation levels. Full-scale removal of the debris is expected to be delayed until 2037 or later. Efforts to address the crisis have included the gradual removal of spent fuel from the plant’s cooling pools, with work set to begin around 2027-2028. Recovery efforts in the region have made progress, with key infrastructure rebuilt.#japan #prime_minister_sanae_takaichi #fukushima_daiichi #tsunami_2011 #fukushima_prefecture
