Six years ago, more than 18,000 people died or went missing as a tsunami triggered by a massive quake engulfed coastal areas of northeastern Japan. Japan is marking the anniversary of the disaster today with somber ceremonies in Tokyo and in cities and towns in the northeast. Here are some measures of progress in Japan's recovery:RECONSTRUCTIONThe government spent 26 trillion yen (US$220 billion) in recovery and rebuilding from 2011-2015, but is due to slash that to only 6.5 trillion yen in 2016-2020. The cost of that cleanup has reportedly almost doubled to 4 trillion yen (US$35 billion). What's also missing are the many close-knit fishing hamlets and waterfronts in areas that were scoured bare by the tsunami, where only foundations remain.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 11, 2017 08:03 UTC