Japan commemorates quake, tsunami victims

A woman takes part in an anti-nuclear march in Tokyo March 10, 2013, a day before the second-year anniversary of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and set off a nuclear crisis. [Photo/Agencies]

TOKYO - The municipal government of Rikuzentakata city in northeastern Japan on Sunday held a memorial event to commemorate more than 1,500 residents who lost their lives in the quake-triggered tsunami on March 11, 2011.

The ceremony was held at an elementary school in the city in Iwate Prefecture, one day ahead of the second anniversary of the disaster. More than 800 people including Mayor Futoshi Toba attended the event.

According to the prefectural government, 1,556 people from Rikuzentakata city were confirmed dead in the disaster while 217 were still missing as of the end of February.

"The citizens must make efforts to realize reconstruction as soon as possible" to overcome the tragedy of the disaster, local media quoted Toba as saying.

About 19,000 people were killed or missing in the disaster, which devastated the country's northeastern region, according to official statistics.