Emperor, Abe speak at memorial service as Japan marks 3rd anniversary of disaster

Abe has vowed to boost the rebuilding

Hook up a generator to Abe and power the country with all the hot air he spouts out. Eco-friendly energy problem solved.

Abe vowed the same thing nearly two years ago when he was elected and, what has he done? Bugger all! He also vowed to get the Fukushima clean up done. All he did there was, sweep the mistakes under the carpet and tell the world, "it's under control!"

Abe has been 'vowing' to rebuild since per-election. Stop vowing, start DOING! Let's see that3.5% of promised reconstruction increase!

Hi Guys, perhaps today is one day that we can remember the dead and missing?

Abe cannot see further than his rich friends in Tokyo.

He has done the bare minimum to help the plight of those who suffered and wants to start up nuclear reactors again!

He is a hypocrite and a bigot.

Hongo: yes, but it does not mean you forget the victims still suffering, and as such forego any debate. There are still thousands displaced and hurting, as can be seen on other threads on this very day.

Hongo: the people complaining loudest about Abe today were doing the same thing 3 years ago today. Respect means nothing when you have an axe to grind.

As for me, I'll be cracking a bottle of single malt tonight. Absent friends and all that. Rest in peace.

Still and always will remember.

Japan has struggled to rebuild towns and villages and to clean up radiation from the meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Where has all that money been spent, then?

The triple disasters known in Japan as 3-11 killed 15,884 people and left 2,636 unaccounted for on its northeastern coast

This is a misnomer really. Should be quintuple disasters - the three that happened on 3/11 plus the shambles of letting TEPCO try to clean up the mess it made and the consequences of lack of housing, radiation and unbearable stress forced upon people in the region for whatever reason.

“No truth can cure the sorrow we feel from losing a loved one. No truth, no sincerity, no strength, no kindness can cure that sorrow. All we can do is see it through to the end and learn something from it, but what we learn will be no help in facing the next sorrow that comes to us without warning.” ― Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood

The patience and quiet resolve of local communities in the disaster hit areas are a heart-warming inspiration to behold, the calm dignity, after such sudden loss in proportions of scale that are truly unimaginable.

My prayers continue for all the missing, the dead, and their loved ones who grieve eternally; they are not forgotten. -- your American friends

Yes, it is a day of remembering those that perished, but their problems are over. The plight of the families of those who perished and the tens of thousands that have been displaced is much more of a cause for concern, especially when they are virtually being ignored by the government that swore to help them. That is the same government that vowed to get the Fukushima victims their compensation and relocation help. But, Abe has been too busy lying to get the Olympics and stir up trouble with Japan's Asian neighbours. This is also the same person that pilfered reconstruction funds into security ships for the whaling program. What a guy! I often wonder how he sees himself. I be the sees himself as the saviour of Japan and believes it.

It has been three long years and Abe is now pledging to boost rebuilding efforts? Just look at him. Can he be trusted to do anything constructive at all that is of benefit to the Japanese people? Perhaps when the Sun rises from the west. Ah..... the Sun does rise from the west.......... America is there. Ah so.....

I can tell you, as a skilled Canadian building contractor, that the labor shortage is manufactured - made in Japan, as they say.

I can tell you, as a skilled Canadian building contractor, that the labor shortage is manufactured - made in Japan, as they say.

Could you elaborate on this? Do you mean they are deliberately holding back?

My thoughts and prayers to the People of Sendai, the Miyagi Prefecture and to the People of the Tohoku Region.

It's interesting to look at an empty space of land that used to be filled with Homes, Schools, Office Buildings, Hospitals, Coffee Shops, Markets, Pubs, Kids Playing, Old People walking around together, a Mother cleaning her house, and a Father working at his desk with his family picture on his desk.

All this Human Life was sept away - just like that.

When I see this area, it reminds me of a flower bed, but with all of the flowers missing.

That's all I can say about Tohoku Daishinsai.

“Many disaster survivors are still experiencing difficulties. It is important that all people of Japan unite their hearts and stand by each other for a long period so that they can live without losing their hopes and in good health,” Akihito said.

Hear! Hear!

It is sad what happened that day. May all those who passed, may rest in peace and be with GOD with eternal life.