Three years on, NHK world shines a light on reconstruction and rehabilitation

This week marks three years after the Great East Japan Earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that killed almost 16,000 people and sparked the Fukushima nuclear crisis. 

To mark the anniversary of the disaster, Japan’s national public service broadcaster NHK has scheduled special TV and radio programs focusing on the lives of those affected and on continued global efforts for reconstruction.

On 11 March NHK World will carry special reports from various affected areas, including a live report from Minamisanriku town in Miyagi Prefecture. There will be an extended one-hour program titled “Path to Recovery: Three years on”, with live reports from Minamisanriku town, Miyagi Prefecture and the National Theatre, Tokyo, where a memorial service sponsored by the government will be held.

And with the aim of making a difference through music, musicians who supported disaster-affected areas from immediately after the earthquake, including a Grammy award-winning jazz pianist, will play three charity concerts around the world.

There will also be special programs in 17 languages on scenes from Japan from foreigners’ perspectives and programs focusing on children living in affected-areas, people working on reconstruction and the current situation at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.