Some 73,000 people remain displaced on March 11 on the seventh anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that struck the nation’s northeastern region, according to the Reconstruction Agency.
Although roads, railways and homes have been rebuilt in the stricken Tohoku region, the outflow of population continues from devastated areas, particularly from coastal communities.
Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures--the three hardest-hit prefectures--saw a combined decline in population of 250,000, compared with pre-disaster levels.
The prefectures are also suffering from a drop in overnight tourist numbers, which have not returned to pre-disaster levels.
In Fukushima Prefecture, the evacuation order for four municipalities that were exposed to high levels of radiation from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant accident was lifted about a year ago.
But not many residents are returning to live in their hometowns.
Agricultural production also has not rebounded to levels prior to the nuclear disaster.
Compensation paid by Tokyo Electric Power Co., operator of the crippled Fukushima plant, to evacuees for their mental distress will end in March. TEPCO cited as the reason the lifting of the evacuation order for the municipalities.
On March 11, 2011, the magnitude-9.0 quake and towering tsunami left more than 22,000 people dead or missing, according to Reconstruction Agency and National Police Agency data.
The figure includes people who later died while evacuating.