15 Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake... And Baseball [What’s Happening in Japan]

Memorial Ceremonies Held Across Japan
Discovery of Missing Victims' Remains Accelerates Search Efforts
Ohtani in the Spotlight Again as Undefeated WBC Run Makes Headlines

Editor's NoteThis is a weekly column by our international desk reporter based in Tokyo, sharing stories and observations from Japan. Updated every Saturday.

This Week in Japan

March 11 marked the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. At 2:46 p.m., the exact time the earthquake struck, moments of silence were held across the country. Memorial ceremonies took place in many locations, and the media also highlighted the occasion. A magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck Japan at that time, causing devastating damage to the Tohoku region.

As of March 1, 2026, the official death toll from the Great East Japan Earthquake stands at 15,901. There is a reason why the numbers are updated regularly: if someone dies later as a result of injuries or aftereffects sustained during the earthquake, they are classified as a victim of the disaster. In fact, 3,810 people who died after suffering deteriorating health while living as evacuees were recorded as of the end of last year.

March 11, 2011 - A tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake is seen overtopping the breakwater in Taro Town, Iwate Prefecture. Cabinet Office.

There are still 2,500 people who remain missing. Search operations are ongoing, including identification work whenever unidentified remains are washed up from the sea. Last year, the remains of a child who was six years old at the time of the earthquake were found 100 kilometers away from the child's home. The police collected the remains and, after 14 years, returned them to the family.

At the time, the family had left the child in the care of their grandmother when the tsunami struck. They tried to find the child but couldn't, and a series of sudden gas explosions in the area made rescue impossible. After years of living with guilt, the family said they felt relieved that at least the remains had returned. They have set up a table in their living room and greet the child every morning and evening. This story, reported by Japanese media, is expected to accelerate the search for the missing once again.

The scars of the Great East Japan Earthquake still remain. In particular, in Fukushima Prefecture, where the nuclear plant explosion occurred, 23,000 people are still living as evacuees. Now, 15 years after the disaster, some national support programs, such as psychological counseling for residents of the affected areas, are scheduled to end this year. Public interest in the nuclear accident has declined significantly compared to before, but it is still unclear when the nuclear plant will be fully decommissioned. Work to remove debris from inside the plant continues to face major challenges.

On the 7th, at Tokyo Dome in Japan, Shohei Ohtani hit a home run and rounded the bases during the second match of Group C in the 2026 World Baseball Classic between South Korea and Japan. Photo by Yonhap News.

Meanwhile, another story that cannot be left out this week is baseball. There is a mix of uplifting and bittersweet news. Japan finished the group stage of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) with four wins and advanced to the quarterfinals.

It is difficult to separate the Great East Japan Earthquake from baseball. Shohei Ohtani and Yusei Kikuchi, both of whom drew attention at this WBC, are from the Tohoku region, which suffered the most from the disaster. Ohtani is from Oshu City in inland Iwate Prefecture, and Kikuchi is from Morioka City, also in Iwate Prefecture.

As news of Japan's undefeated WBC run spread, Ohtani's past remarks about the Great East Japan Earthquake resurfaced in Japanese media. While Ohtani was in high school, an earthquake struck during practice. Although his home was further inland and less affected, some of his teammates suffered greatly—some could not reach their families, and others were directly hit by the tsunami. As a result, baseball practice was suspended for a month. One of Ohtani's close friends lost his home to the tsunami and even considered quitting baseball. In a 2012 interview, Ohtani said, "Until then, I had always thought about myself, but after the earthquake, I tried to think much more about those around me."

Because of this, both Ohtani and Kikuchi, who are high school alumni, have frequently participated in recovery and disaster relief charity events. In January 2024, when a major earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula, Ohtani and his team, the LA Dodgers, jointly donated 1 million dollars (1.3 billion won).

In fact, Japanese baseball has often served as a source of comfort during times of disaster or crisis. The Hiroshima Toyo Carp, the professional baseball team in Hiroshima, was founded five years after the atomic bombing as a city-owned team, and it gave great strength to the postwar generation. Perhaps this is the unique power of sports.

Japan Economy & Industry Briefing This Week

▶ Soaring Oil Prices Stir Japan...Takaiichi Vows to Curb Price Hikes
Due to growing instability in the Middle East, Japan is closely monitoring oil prices. While initial efforts were made to keep prices in check, concerns are now rising. Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi has announced the reintroduction of the gasoline subsidy, which ended late last year, and pledged to release oil reserves. She has set a goal of keeping prices from exceeding 170 yen (1,581 won) per liter no matter what. The media is watching closely to see how this strategy from Prime Minister Takaiichi will play out, as high inflation persists.

▶ Higher Barriers for Japan Travel? 'JESTA' to Be Introduced from 2028
Japan will make online pre-screening mandatory for short-term foreign visitors from visa-exempt countries, including South Korea. This new system, known as 'JESTA,' is modeled after the US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The costs of building the system will be covered by fees collected when travelers apply for JESTA. As a result, starting in 2028, Korean tourists visiting Japan will need to complete pre-screening and pay a fee in advance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.