At least 15,703 fatalities
5,314 people injured
130,927 people displaced
Japan is located on the “Ring of Fire,” a highly seismic region around the Pacific Ocean, and is exposed to frequent earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. Disaster preparedness is a high priority for the Japanese government. It has been acknowledged for its orderly response to disasters, providing evacuation centers and housing. However, the March 11, 2011, earthquake resulted in a massive tsunami that hit the island too quickly for evacuation.
Three days after the tsunami, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant went into meltdown and released radiation into the atmosphere, soil, and water. Recently a Japanese citizens' movement has called for the abolition of nuclear power in Japan as the country and surrounding waters have been plagued by continued radiation contamination.
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