The Tsunami sent walls of water washing over coastal towns, cities and farmland in the northern part of the country, which was entirely ruined. There was no crops to feed the population. Every house was crushed into peices and people were left homeless. Lives were taken away from many, and the populaton of Japan was reduced by nearly a million from 127.3 millinon in january 2011 to 126.6 million in january 2013. And after 1 whole year of tireless rebuilding, these pictures reveal some of the amazing progress made since the tragic event. Photographers returned to the scenes of desolation to take these stunning shots that capture the way in which the areas most severely affected have changed.
It has been two years since an earthquake and tsunami killed nearly 20,000 people in Japan and triggered a major nuclear crisis at the Fukushima power plant.
Japan has the third largest economy in the world. The Japanese government is spending 19 trillion yen ($200bn; £130bn) to rebuild the northeast of the country over five years. In doing this they have put themselves in debt, 3 times over their current debt.
Although it was a difficult time, the clear up and rebuilding started immediately. Experts were brought in from other countries to help with spcialized project.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who came to power in December 2012, has suggested expanding the spending plan further.
But late last year, the government was criticised for spending a quarter of the fund on unrelated projects such as support for whaling research.
Japan has the third largest economy in the world. The Japanese government is spending 19 trillion yen ($200bn; £130bn) to rebuild the northeast of the country over five years. In doing this they have put themselves in debt, 3 times over their current debt.
Although it was a difficult time, the clear up and rebuilding started immediately. Experts were brought in from other countries to help with spcialized project.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who came to power in December 2012, has suggested expanding the spending plan further.
But late last year, the government was criticised for spending a quarter of the fund on unrelated projects such as support for whaling research.