With a moment of silence, prayers and a vow to rebuild the nation, Japan today marked the first anniversary of the massive earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 19,000 people and triggered the world's worst nuclear crisis since 1986.
Memorial services were held in three northeastern prefectures hit hard by the tsunami -- Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima -- as well as in Tokyo and elsewhere, with a moment of silence observed across the country at 2:46 pm, the time the 9.0 magnitude quake hit the country and sparked a nuclear crisis at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda led the main memorial ceremony held at Tokyo's National Theatre where a single pillar decorated with white Chrysanthemums and lilies was erected, symbolising the souls of the victims. Nearly 1,200 people dressed in black attended the service and observed silence for the departed souls.
The powerful quake triggered a series of explosions at Fukushima nuclear plant, forcing thousands of people to evacuate to escape radiation.
Shortly after the quake, an immense surge of water enveloped the north-eastern coast as a tsunami swept cars, ships, and buildings away, crushing coastal communities.
The twin natural disasters claimed more than 15,800 lives, and more than 3,000 people remain unaccounted for.
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At the memorial service, Noda pledged Japan would recover from its tragedy, Kyodo news agency reported.
"Our forebears, who led our country to prosperity, stood up with brave resolution in times of crisis," he said.
"While offering our support for the daily struggles of those people in the disaster-affected regions, we will join hands as we seek to fulfil our historic mission of "the rebirth of Japan through reconstruction."
The emperor, who is recovering from a recent heart surgery, said Japan would "never forget" the tragedy.