Ten years after Japan’s earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster, the lives of many who survived are still on hold. On March 11, 2011, one of the biggest temblors on record touched off a massive tsunami, killing more than 18,000 people and setting off catastrophic meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Nearly half a million people were displaced. Tens of thousands still haven’t returned home. More than 30 trillion yen (US$280 billion) has been spent on reconstruction so far—but even Reconstruction Minister Katsuei Hirasawa acknowledged recently that while the government has charged ahead with new buildings, it has invested less in helping people to rebuild their lives; for instance, by offering mental health services for trauma. The Associated Press talked to people affected by the disasters about how far they have come—and how much more needs to be done. “As long as my body moves” Yasuo Takamatsu, 64, lost his …
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