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復興庁の小泉進次郎政務官は10月19日、東日本大震災の津波被害を受けた震災遺構「たろう観光ホテル」の保存について、「地元の理解があって残す意味があるものは、なんとかしたいという問題意識を持っている」と述べ、復興交付金での保存を検討する意向を示した。現地視察後に同県岩泉町内で記者団に答えたことを岩手日報が報じている。
「たろう観光ホテル」の写真集
被災した「たろう観光ホテル」(01 of03)
東日本大震災の津波で被災した「たろう観光ホテル」。宮古市は津波の恐ろしさや教訓を後世に伝えるための震災遺構として保存する意向を示している＝2013年4月6日、岩手県宮古市田老地区\n (credit:時事通信社)
東日本大震災・がれきの中に立つホテル(02 of03)
大津波で一面がれきと化した岩手県宮古市田老地区の中に立つ被害を受けた「たろう観光ホテル」（岩手県宮古市の田老地区）\n\n撮影日2011年03月23日 (credit:時事通信社)
東日本大震災・がれきの中に立つホテル(03 of03)
大津波で一面がれきと化した岩手県宮古市田老地区の中に立つ被害を受けた「たろう観光ホテル」（岩手県宮古市の田老地区）\n\n撮影日2011年03月23日 (credit:時事通信社)
同紙によると、宮古市の山本正徳市長がホテル保存のため国に支援を求める要望書を小泉氏に提出。現地で実際にホテルを見た小泉氏は以下のように述べたという。
山本市長との懇談後、実際に同ホテルに足を運んだ小泉政務官は「やはりインパクトがある。たろう観光ホテルに限らず、遺構には震災を知らない世代にも津波の怖さがわかる意義があると思う」と強調した。
（岩手日報 Web News 「小泉政務官、国の支援検討 たろう観光ホテル保存」2013/10/20）
宮古市は11日に復興庁に提出した復興交付金の事業計画で、「たろう観光ホテル」の保存工事費と外構工事費として2億5000万円を申請している。土地・建物の取得費約7900万円を市が負担して、保存整備を急ぐ。津波の脅威を後世に伝えるため、津波の直撃で損壊した姿をそのまま現地にとどめる方針だ。業界紙「建設通信新聞」のブログでは、ホテルの現状を次のように説明している。
1986年に建てられた「たろう観光ホテル」(同市田老字野原80-1)の規模はS造6階建て延べ2383㎡。津波被害は1-3階に集中し、2階まではフロア全体が抜け落ち、3階も大半の床が抜けている。外壁は1-2階と3階の一部が破壊され、鉄骨がむき出しになっているが4階以上はほぼ当初の状態で残されている。
（建設通信新聞の公式記事ブログ: 宮古の「たろう観光ホテル」を津波遺産として保存へ ※S造とは鉄骨造りのこと）
ただ、震災の傷跡を色濃く残す建造物「震災遺構」については、「津波の恐怖を呼び起こす」と周辺住民の反対も各地で根強い。実際に「震災遺構」として残す構想もあった遺構の撤去が続いている。9月9日には、宮城県気仙沼市に打ち上げられた大型漁船「第18共徳丸」の解体工事が始まったほか、同県南三陸町の防災対策庁舎も9月19日までに、町が撤去する方針を決めた。今回の宮古市の取り組みと、小泉政務官の考えは流れを変えることになるのか。今後の動きに注目される。
【※】震災遺構を国費で保存するべきか否か。読者の皆様はどのように考えますか？コメント欄にご意見をお寄せください。
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小泉進次郎氏の写真集
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参院選で街頭演説に立つ自民党の小泉進次郎青年局長＝７月１７日午前、三重県桑名市 (credit:時事通信社)
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参院選山梨県選挙区の応援演説に臨む自民党の小泉進次郎青年局長。左は同党の宮川典子衆院議員＝７月９日夜、山梨県山梨市 (credit:時事通信社)
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参院選・応援演説に立つ小泉自民党青年局長(04 of10)
応援演説に立つ小泉進次郎自民党青年局長（中央）＝７月８日午前、三重県四日市市\n (credit:時事通信社)
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政務官会議に臨む小泉進次郎内閣府兼復興政務官＝９月３０日夜、首相官邸 (credit:時事通信社)
自己紹介する小泉政務官(08 of10)
自己紹介する小泉進次郎内閣府兼復興政務官＝１０月１日午前、東京都港区の復興庁\n (credit:時事通信社)
質問に答える小泉政務官(09 of10)
内閣府政務官に就任し、記者の質問に答える小泉進次郎氏＝１０月１日午前、東京都港区の復興庁 (credit:時事通信社)
握手する小泉政務官と根本復興相(10 of10)
根本匠復興相（右）と握手する小泉進次郎内閣府政務官＝１０月１１日午前、東京都港区の復興庁 (credit:時事通信社)
2012年以降の第18共徳丸の写真集
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(01 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(02 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(03 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(04 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(05 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(06 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(07 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(08 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(09 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(10 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(11 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(12 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
気仙沼市の鹿折地区に残された第18共徳丸(13 of41)
2013年3月10日撮影 (credit:安藤健二)
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東日本大震災の津波で陸に打ち上げられたまま、腐食が進んでいる巻き網漁船「第十八共徳丸」。震災遺構として気仙沼市が保存の意向を示したものの、船主は解体撤去するとしている＝４月１３日、宮城県気仙沼市 \n\n撮影日： 2013/04/13 (credit:時事通信社)
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東日本大震災の津波で陸に打ち上げられたまま、腐食が進んでいる巻き網漁船「第十八共徳丸」。震災遺構として気仙沼市が保存の意向を示したものの、船主は解体撤去するとしている＝４月１３日、宮城県気仙沼市 \n\n撮影日： 2013/04/13 (credit:時事通信社)
陸に打ち上げられたままの「第十八共徳丸」(16 of41)
東日本大震災の津波で陸に打ち上げられたまま、腐食が進んでいる巻き網漁船「第十八共徳丸」。震災遺構として気仙沼市が保存の意向を示したものの、船主は解体撤去するとしている＝４月１３日、宮城県気仙沼市 \n\n撮影日： 2013/04/13 (credit:時事通信社)
陸に打ち上げられたままの「第十八共徳丸」(17 of41)
東日本大震災の津波で陸に打ち上げられたまま、腐食が進んでいる巻き網漁船「第十八共徳丸」。震災遺構として気仙沼市が保存の意向を示したものの、船主は解体撤去するとしている＝４月１３日、宮城県気仙沼市 \n\n撮影日： 2013/04/13 (credit:時事通信社)
陸に打ち上げられたままの「第十八共徳丸」(18 of41)
東日本大震災の津波で陸に打ち上げられたまま、腐食が進んでいる巻き網漁船「第十八共徳丸」（３３０トン）。震災遺構として気仙沼市が保存の意向を示したものの、船主は解体撤去するとしている＝４月１３日、宮城県気仙沼市 \n\n撮影日： 2013/04/13 (credit:時事通信社)
陸に打ち上げられたままの「第十八共徳丸」(19 of41)
東日本大震災の津波で陸に打ち上げられたまま、腐食が進んでいる巻き網漁船「第十八共徳丸」。震災遺構として気仙沼市が保存の意向を示したものの、船主は解体撤去するとしている＝４月１３日、宮城県気仙沼市 \n\n撮影日： 2013/04/13 (credit:時事通信社)
陸に打ち上げられたままの「第十八共徳丸」(20 of41)
東日本大震災の津波で陸に打ち上げられたまま、腐食が進んでいる巻き網漁船「第十八共徳丸」。震災遺構として気仙沼市が保存の意向を示したものの、船主は解体撤去するとしている＝４月１３日、宮城県気仙沼市 \n\n撮影日： 2013/04/13 (credit:時事通信社)
東日本大震災・第十八共徳丸(21 of41)
東日本大震災の津波で陸に打ち上げられたままになっている巻き網漁船「第十八共徳丸」（３３０トン）＝１日午後、宮城県気仙沼市 \n\n撮影日： 2013/09/01 (credit:時事通信社)
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東日本大震災・第十八共徳丸の解体作業(23 of41)
東日本大震災の津波で打ち上げられた巻き網漁船「第十八共徳丸」（３３０トン）の解体作業＝９日午前、宮城県気仙沼市 \n\n撮影日： 2013/09/09 (credit:時事通信社)
Japan Marks 2nd Anniversary Of Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake And Tsunami(24 of41)
KESENNUMA, JAPAN - MARCH 11: The grounded No.18 Kyotoku Maru fishing boat is illuminated as Japan commemorates the victims of the 2011 Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11, 2013 in Kesennuma, Japan. Japan is commemorating the second anniversary of the 2011 Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that claimed more than 18,000 lives. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Marks 2nd Anniversary Of Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake And Tsunami(25 of41)
KESENNUMA, JAPAN - MARCH 11: The grounded No.18 Kyotoku Maru fishing boat is illuminated as Japan commemorates the victims of the 2011 Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11, 2013 in Kesennuma, Japan. Japan is commemorating the second anniversary of the 2011 Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that claimed more than 18,000 lives. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Marks 2nd Anniversary Of Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake And Tsunami(26 of41)
KESENNUMA, JAPAN - MARCH 11: The grounded No.18 Kyotoku Maru fishing boat is illuminated as Japan commemorates the victims of the 2011 Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11, 2013 in Kesennuma, Japan. Japan is commemorating the second anniversary of the 2011 Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that claimed more than 18,000 lives. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorates First Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(27 of41)
KESENNUMA, JAPAN - MARCH 11: People visit a large grounded boat as it is illuminated by television lights on March 11, 2012 in Kesennuma, Japan. On the one year anniversary, the areas most affected by last year\'s March 11, 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency, continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. Across the country people are taking part in ceremonies to pay respects to the people who lost their lives. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorates First Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(28 of41)
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Japan Commemorates First Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(29 of41)
KESENNUMA, JAPAN - MARCH 11: A man stands in front of a large grounded boat as it is illuminated by television lights on March 11, 2012 in Kesennuma, Japan. On the one year anniversary, the areas most affected by last year\'s March 11, 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency, continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. Across the country people are taking part in ceremonies to pay respects to the people who lost their lives. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Prepares To Mark One Year Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(30 of41)
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Japan Prepares To Mark 1 Year Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(31 of41)
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KESENNUMA, JAPAN - MARCH 06: A fishing boat, dragged in-land during last year\'s tsunami, sits on the ground on March 06, 2012 in Kesennuma, Japan. As the one year anniversary approaches, the areas most affected by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Second Anniversary Of 2011 Earthquake And Tsunami(36 of41)
A woman looks at a vessel swept inland by the tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, on Sunday, March 10, 2013. Japan\'s economy grew at an annualized 0.2 percent last quarter after shrinking 3.7 percent the three previous months, the worst since the 2011 earthquake, revised government data show. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Getty Images)
Second Anniversary Of 2011 Earthquake And Tsunami(37 of41)
People pray in front of a vessel swept inland by the tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, on Sunday, March 10, 2013. Japan\'s economy grew at an annualized 0.2 percent last quarter after shrinking 3.7 percent the three previous months, the worst since the 2011 earthquake, revised government data show. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Getty Images)
Second Anniversary Of 2011 Earthquake And Tsunami(38 of41)
People pray in front of a vessel swept inland by the tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, on Sunday, March 10, 2013. Japan\'s economy grew at an annualized 0.2 percent last quarter after shrinking 3.7 percent the three previous months, the worst since the 2011 earthquake, revised government data show. Photographer: Kiyoshi Ota/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Getty Images)
Reconstruction Work Continues In Earthquake And Tsunami Damaged Regions(39 of41)
People observe a moment of silence in front of a vessel swept inland by the tsunami which followed the March 11, 2011 earthquake in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. Japan\'s economy expanded in the second quarter at half the pace the government initially estimated, underscoring the risk of a contraction as Europe\'s debt crisis caps exports. Photographer: Akio Kon/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Getty Images)
A Changing World 2012 Best Photos Bloomberg(40 of41)
Bloomberg\'s Best Photos 2012: A Changing World. As another year of tumultuous events unfolded across the globe, we witnessed Greece\'s battle with austerity cuts, the European Union near a breaking point, devastation and destruction as Hurricane Sandy swept along the U.S. East Coast and the bleak landscapes of Japan\'s Fukushima province a year after the tsunami. As the stories unfolded, there to record it all was Bloomberg\'s team of award-winning photographers, capturing poignant and compelling imagery, see their work here in a Changing World. FILE PHOTO: \'BEST PHOTOS OF 2012\' (***BESTOF2012***): People observe a moment of silence in front of a vessel swept inland by the tsunami which followed the Great East Japan Earthquake to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the disaster at 2:46 p.m. in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, on Sunday, March 11, 2012. The magnitude-9 earthquake last year triggered a tsunami that in just 60 minutes laid waste to entire towns, engulfed four-story hospitals, left hundreds of thousands of homeless and crippled a nuclear plant. Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Getty Images)
Reconstruction Work Continues In Earthquake And Tsunami Damaged Regions(41 of41)
People look at a vessel swept inland by the tsunami that followed last year\'s March 11 earthquake in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. Japan\'s economy expanded in the second quarter at half the pace the government initially estimated, underscoring the risk of a contraction as Europe\'s debt crisis caps exports. Photographer: Akio Kon/Bloomberg via Getty Images (credit:Getty Images)
南三陸町の防災庁舎
Japan Commemorate Three Months Anniversary Of Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake And Tsunami(01 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - JUNE 11: Members of the Utatsu Junior High School baseball team pray for their coach who went missing at Minamisanriku City Hall Disaster Prevention Center in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in front of the remaning frame of the destroyed building on June 11, 2011 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi, Japan. Japanese government has been struggling to deal with the earthquake and tsunami as well as the troubled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The fear on outbreak of virus infectious disease are mounting due to the humid rainy season on the corner and delay of the clearing the debris. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorate Three Months Anniversary Of Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake And Tsunami(02 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - JUNE 11: Members of the Utatsu Junior High School baseball team pray for their coach who went missing at Minamisanriku City Hall Disaster Prevention Center in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in front of the remaning frame of the destroyed building on June 11, 2011 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi, Japan. Japanese government has been struggling to deal with the earthquake and tsunami as well as the troubled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The fear on outbreak of virus infectious disease are mounting due to the humid rainy season on the corner and delay of the clearing the debris. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan To Mark 2nd Anniversary Of Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake And Tsunami(03 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - MARCH 09: A man walks past ruins in the coastal town of Minamisanriku, that was 95 percent destroyed by the tsunami that followed the 2011 9.0 magnitude earthquake, March 9, 2013 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi prefecture, Japan. On March 11 Japan is to commemorate second anniversary of Magnitude 9.0 earthquake and following tsunami, that claimed more than 18,000 lives. (Photo by Ken Ishii/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorate Three Months Anniversary Of Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake And Tsunami(04 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - JUNE 11: A man looks at the remaning frame of the destroyed Minamisanriku City Hall Disaster Prevention Center on June 11, 2011 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi, Japan. Japanese government has been struggling to deal with the earthquake and tsunami as well as the troubled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The fear on outbreak of virus infectious disease are mounting due to the humid rainy season on the corner and delay of the clearing the debris. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorates First Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(05 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - MARCH 11: Students, volunteering to help clean the Shizukawa river from Kanto region, gather to their pay respects to tsunami victims at the site of the Minamisanriku Disaster Emergency Center headquarters now seen as a symbol of the tsunami, destroyed during last year\'s tsunami on March 11, 2012 near Ishinomaki, Japan. On the one year anniversary, the areas most affected by last year\'s March 11, 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency, continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. Across the country people are taking part in ceremonies to pay respects to the people who lost their lives. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Prepares To Mark One Year Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(06 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - MARCH 05: Tei Eiki (R), 63, from Sendai cries after having paid her respects to the victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in front of the ruined Minamisanriku Disaster Emergency Center headquarters during a bus tour of the devastated area\'s on March 05, 2012 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi prefecture in northeastern Japan. As the one year anniversary approaches, the area\'s most affected by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Prepares To Mark One Year Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(07 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - MARCH 05: Japanese tourists gather in front of the ruined Minamisanriku Disaster Emergency Center headquarters, to learn about the effects of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami during a bus tour of the devastated area\'s on March 05, 2012 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi prefecture in northeastern Japan. As the one year anniversary approaches, the area\'s most affected by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorates First Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(08 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - MARCH 11: Students, volunteering to help clean the Shizukawa river from Kanto region, gather to their pay respects to tsunami victims at the site of the Minamisanriku Disaster Emergency Center headquarters now seen as a symbol of the tsunami, destroyed during last year\'s tsunami on March 11, 2012 near Ishinomaki, Japan. On the one year anniversary, the areas most affected by last year\'s March 11, 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency, continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. Across the country people are taking part in ceremonies to pay respects to the people who lost their lives. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorates First Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(09 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - MARCH 11: Students, volunteering to help clean the Shizukawa river from Kanto region, gather to their pay respects to tsunami victims at the site of the Minamisanriku Disaster Emergency Center headquarters now seen as a symbol of the tsunami, destroyed during last year\'s tsunami on March 11, 2012 near Ishinomaki, Japan. On the one year anniversary, the areas most affected by last year\'s March 11, 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency, continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. Across the country people are taking part in ceremonies to pay respects to the people who lost their lives. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorates First Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(10 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - MARCH 11: Classmates (L) Yasuka Shirota, 34 and Mika Oba, 34, both from Yamagata, touched by the destruction of the tsunami, both repeatedly drive 2.5 hours every weekend to do volunteer work and to pay their respects at a shrine set up at the site of the Minamisanriku Disaster Emergency Center headquarterson, destroyed during last year\'s tsunami March 11, 2012 near Ishinomaki, Japan. On the one year anniversary, the areas most affected by last year\'s March 11, 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency, continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. Across the country people are taking part in ceremonies to pay respects to the people who lost their lives. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Prepares To Mark One Year Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(11 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - MARCH 05: People look out of a bus window as they visit the Minamisanriku Disaster Emergency Center headquarters, during a bus tour to learn about the effects of last year\'s March 11 earthquake and tsunami on March 05, 2012 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi prefecture in northeastern Japan. As the one year anniversary approaches, the areas most affected by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Prepares To Mark One Year Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(12 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - MARCH 05: Mr Yonekura, 55, a hotel manager and tour guide, informs Japanese tourists, during a bus tour to learn about the effects of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami as they gather in front of the ruined Minamisanriku Disaster Emergency Center headquarters, on March 05, 2012 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi prefecture in northeastern Japan. As the one year anniversary approaches, the areas most affected by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Prepares To Mark One Year Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami(13 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - MARCH 05: Tei Eiki (C), 63, from Sendai pays her respects to the victims of March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in front of the ruined Minamisanriku Disaster Emergency Center headquarters during a bus tour of the devastated areas on March 05, 2012 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi prefecture in northeastern Japan. As the one year anniversary approaches, the area\'s most affected by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami that left 15,848 dead and 3,305 missing according to Japan\'s National Police Agency continue to struggle. Thousands of people still remain without homes living in temporary dwellings. The Japanese government faces an uphill battle with the need to dispose of rubble as it works to rebuild economies and livelihoods. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak /Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorate Three Months Anniversary Of Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake And Tsunami(14 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - JUNE 11: Masashi Chiba, 63, prays for his daugther who worked at Minamisanriku City Hall Disaster Prevention Center and lost her life in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami on June 11, 2011 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi, Japan. The Japanese government has been struggling to deal with the earthquake and tsunami, as well as the stricken Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The fears of an outbreak of an infectious disease are mounting due to the approaching humid rainy season and delays in the clearing the debris. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorate Three Months Anniversary Of Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake And Tsunami(15 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - JUNE 11: The remaning frame of the destroyed Minamisanriku City Hall Disaster Prevention Center is seen on June 11, 2011 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi, Japan. Japanese government has been struggling to deal with the earthquake and tsunami as well as the troubled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The fear on outbreak of virus infectious disease are mounting due to the humid rainy season on the corner and delay of the clearing the debris. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorate Three Months Anniversary Of Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake And Tsunami(16 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - JUNE 11: The remaning frame of the destroyed Minamisanriku City Hall Disaster Prevention Center is seen on June 11, 2011 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi, Japan. Japanese government has been struggling to deal with the earthquake and tsunami as well as the troubled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The fear on outbreak of virus infectious disease are mounting due to the humid rainy season on the corner and delay of the clearing the debris. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Japan Commemorate Three Months Anniversary Of Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake And Tsunami(17 of17)
MINAMISANRIKU, JAPAN - JUNE 11: Flowers are offered for the earthquake and tsunami victims near the remains of the destroyed Minamisanriku City Hall Disaster Prevention Center on June 11, 2011 in Minamisanriku, Miyagi, Japan. The Japanese government has been struggling to deal with the earthquake and tsunami, as well as the stricken Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. The fears of an outbreak of an infectious disease are mounting due to the approaching humid rainy season and delays in the clearing the debris. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)