On March 11, 2011, a devastating 9.0 earthquake struck off the east coast of Japan. It was the largest, most powerful recorded earthquake in Japan and the fourth largest in the world. The horrifying seismic jolts from the six-minute long earthquake triggered powerful tsunami waves. These waves reached up to 133 ft above ground and crashed and destroyed everything in its path (Ferris). These waves went as far as 6 miles inland from the coast, displacing people, vehicles, homes and all personal belongings.

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The tsunami then flooded the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant leading to 7 meltdowns and radioactive releases - the world's most recent greatest nuclear crisis. There is a lot of uncertainty in measuring the radioactive release as a "significant problem in tracking radioactive release was that 23 out of the 24 radiation monitoring stations on the plant site were disabled by the tsunami" (“Fukushima Daiichi Accident”). These three disasters occurring one after another took a tremendous toll on Japan's people and economy. Losses amounted to more than $360 billion (Ferris). The displacement of entire communities created great disruption to all industries, including the farming communities. Even before the disasters, Japan's farmers can only supply 40% of the consumer needs (Wilson).

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This natural disaster devastated coastal cities, neighborhoods, farms and stability, but the Japanese continued to gaman – persevere.

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Tragically, natural disasters happen around the world at any point in time, but they are only given attention to for a few days in the news. There has to be a way to continue showing our hope and support for those who are affected, even years after the event.

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Today, life still remains far from normal in Sendai, Japan. We must continue to show our support and show that we are still thinking of them. 

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It's learning and seeing personal stories of struggle and recovery that help create empathy in this world.