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The 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011 is considered the most powerful quake to hit the country. The earthquake triggered powerful tsunami waves which reached estimated heights of 133 feet and in some areas traveled six miles inland. According to the Japanese National Police Agency, the quake caused 15,844 deaths, 5,890 injured, and 3,451 people missing, over 125,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed. The earthquake and tsunami damaged roads, railways, a dam collapse, and level 7 meltdowns in three reactors at the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant.

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Cherry blossoms cover a tree in Natori city, Miyagi prefecture on April 18, 2011.