Tohoku Region Rebuilding for a Better Tomorrow
Photo Gallery 2 - Scenery of Recovery
11. Found it!
Survivors search the rubble of their destroyed homes. Every precious memento found gives them strength for tomorrow.
- A recovered photo album brings memories flooding back.
- Found in the rubble - a precious school notebook.
- The ink has run and blurred, but the memories are intact.
12. Temporary homes
People who lost homes and shops are recreating their lives day by day in these temporary facilities.
- A small boy plays near temporary housing.
- In an improvised shop, a young man starts selling his silverware designs.
- They may have lost their homes, but they have hope for the future.
13. Flowers of Fukushima
In the summer of 2011, beauty returns to Fukushima as the season's flowers bloom.
- Daylilies bloom in Urabandai Oguninuma. "Every day is a new day" in the language of flowers.
- Iris festival in Aizu Misatomachi. "Good news" in the language of flowers.
- A field of sunflowers in Minamisoma. "Love" in the language of flowers.
14. A family
Although many people lost homes to the tsunami, families survived. Treasured possessions rescued from the wreckage help them face the future.
- A treasured portrait recovered from the ruins of their home.
- In front of their temporary house, their daughter holds the photo of herself as an infant.
- The family together in the living room of their temporary home.
15. A couple
The tsunami swept their home away, but this couple can still find time to smile as they work together to recreate their life.
- Wearing donated jackets, since they fled the tsunami with no time to grab a coat.
- Relocated to higher ground, they have begun farming again.
- Thankful to have survived together, and to have a new life.
16. School satchels
In a sign of returning normality, children walk to school proudly wearing new satchels to carry their books.
- Teachers wash children's schoolbags they have found in their flooded school.
- A smiling child is given a new bag at the evacuation center.
- Children start the school term, brand new bags on their backs.
17. Nature's power
The sight of nature springing back so strongly and swiftly from the disaster gives courage and inspiration to survivors.
- A single pine is the only tree remaining on this devastated shore.
- Dandelions flower from cracks in the mud that lies everywhere.
- Cherry blossoms bloom in streets reduced to rubble.
18. Medical care
Many disaster survivors needed emergency medical care. Overseas medical teams gave invaluable assistance to the local health system.
- Hospital corridors overflowing with injured and sick on makeshift stretchers.
- An Israeli medical team examines disaster victims.
- Medics from Jordan provide first aid.
19. Expressway
Tohoku's expressway system was cut by the earthquake. In just one week, the roads had been repaired and traffic was flowing again.
- A 150m section of the Joban Expressway subsided in the earthquake.
- By March 15, repair work is already well under way.
- On March 17, the expressway is already open for traffic again.
20. International assistance
Countries from around the world rushed to offer assistance in the days after the earthquake.
- March 15. Chinese rescue team at work in Ofunato City, Iwate.
- March 16. Mexican rescue team and French firefighters in Sendai.
- March 15. UK rescue team searches for survivors in Ofunato City, Iwate.
- March 18. Australian rescue team in Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi.
- April 1. A rescue team from India clears rubble in Onagawa town, Miyagi.
- A Korean rescue team arrived the day after the earthquake.
- March 16. A US rescue team searches for survivors in Kamaishi City, Iwate.
- April 24. US forces stationed in Japan help clear rubble near Rikuzenono Station, Miyagi.
21. Overseas volunteers
"Our hearts are with you." People from all over the world reach out to disaster stricken Tohoku.
- Young Canadian volunteers clear mud in Matsushima Town, Miyagi.
- Volunteers from ASEAN countries provide cooked meals in Ishinomaki City.
- Pakistanis working in Aichi came to Tohoku to cheer up victims with hot food.
- Staff of the Iranian Embassy in Japan serve hot stew to refugees.
- Myanmar volunteers serve their country's traditional home cooking to refugees.
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