2:46 p.m. March 11, 2011.
An earthquake with an unprecedented magnitude of 9.0 hit Japan. Soon after, a tsunami swept over communities along the coast of northeast Japan, and claimed nearly 20,000 lives.
After this unexpected and devastating earthquake, municipalities, companies and civic groups collaborated to distribute aid to more than 400,000 evacuees. This dedicated effort to recover and rebuild continues today.
Historically, Japan and its people have withstood many natural disasters and have developed effective countermeasures to mitigate the loss of life and property. This series examines responses to the events of March 11, and seeks ways to increase resilience in the face of disaster.