But in Tokyo and many other places around Japan, the day was being remembered without a main government ceremony due to the coronavirus outbreak. Separately, several hundred people, including anti-nuclear activists, were to gather at Tokyo’s Hibiya Park to mark the anniversary with music and speeches. The quake and tsunami left more than 18,000 people dead and destroyed many houses and businesses. The meltdown at the Fukushima plant sent more than 160,000 people fleeing the region. Japan has confirmed more than 1,250 cases of the coronavirus, including 696 from a cruise ship and 19 deaths.

Source: Manila Times March 11, 2020 16:30 UTC