Tokyo:
Japan fell silent for one minute on Sunday to remember the 19,000 people who were killed when a huge tsunami smashed into the country's northeast coast a year ago.
Ceremonies around the disaster zone and in the capital Tokyo were held to mark the moment the 9.0 magnitude quake struck at 2.46pm (0546 GMT), unleashing the deadly wave.
In the official commemoration in the capital, Japan's solemn national anthem rang out before the emperor and senior politicians stood in silent memory of those who died in the country's worst post-war disaster.
Around the nation smaller-scale ceremonies were held, many in the battered remains of tsunami-hit towns where tearful people remembered friends and relatives killed by the powerful waves of last March.
Akihito and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda were joined by around 1,200 people at the national theatre in Tokyo.
A single pillar symbolising the souls of those who died stood in the middle of the stage, decorated with white chrysanthemums and lilies.
The emperor, who three weeks ago underwent heart bypass surgery, said Japan would "never forget" the tragedy and spoke of the importance of "kizuna", or human bonds, in the wake of the disaster.
"Many difficulties lie ahead in the reconstruction of the disaster-affected areas," he said.
"I hope that each and every member of the public will join their hearts with the people affected by the disasters, and continue to help them to improve their lives."
In hard-hit Ishinomaki, tsunami sirens wailed to mark the moment the huge quake hit, sending towering waves into the city where they claimed the lives of nearly 4,000 people.
Residents had been warned on Saturday that the sirens would be sounded.
Ceremonies around the disaster zone and in the capital Tokyo were held to mark the moment the 9.0 magnitude quake struck at 2.46pm (0546 GMT), unleashing the deadly wave.
In the official commemoration in the capital, Japan's solemn national anthem rang out before the emperor and senior politicians stood in silent memory of those who died in the country's worst post-war disaster.
Around the nation smaller-scale ceremonies were held, many in the battered remains of tsunami-hit towns where tearful people remembered friends and relatives killed by the powerful waves of last March.
Akihito and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda were joined by around 1,200 people at the national theatre in Tokyo.
A single pillar symbolising the souls of those who died stood in the middle of the stage, decorated with white chrysanthemums and lilies.
The emperor, who three weeks ago underwent heart bypass surgery, said Japan would "never forget" the tragedy and spoke of the importance of "kizuna", or human bonds, in the wake of the disaster.
"Many difficulties lie ahead in the reconstruction of the disaster-affected areas," he said.
"I hope that each and every member of the public will join their hearts with the people affected by the disasters, and continue to help them to improve their lives."
In hard-hit Ishinomaki, tsunami sirens wailed to mark the moment the huge quake hit, sending towering waves into the city where they claimed the lives of nearly 4,000 people.
Residents had been warned on Saturday that the sirens would be sounded.
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