Ghost town

11 Mar 2011 coast of Japan shook under the action of 9-point earthquake. It was followed by a devastating tsunami, sweeping away from his path to the city, fields and even a port on the North of the country. It was the most powerful earthquake in the country's history. In addition to the 20 thousand dead another 130 thousand were left homeless. Washed from the face of the earth coastal towns may never be rebuilt, because there is a high probability of repeat tsunami in the future. For many, memories of lost about lost loved ones, homes, home too painful to return, even if the city has rebuilt. Many Japanese simply refuse to return to their home town.

(12 photos)

1. Map of Japan among the debris of the destroyed tsunami of Otsuchi city, Iwate Prefecture. Thousands of Japanese and American military have joined the latest search operation for victims of the disaster. (Shiho Fukada)

2. The bodies under the blankets among the wreckage of the city of Rikuzentakata. In this city with a population of 23 thousand people every ten died or went missing. (Shiho Fukada)

3. Chieko Chiba amid the rubble of his home in Toyama, Toyama Prefecture Miyagi. "All is lost," she laments. (Shiho Fukada)

4. A man among the debris of the city Sivori in Miyagi Prefecture. (Shiho Fukada)

5. Rescuers found a body on the road in Rikuzentakata, a week after the earthquake. In Rikuzentakata lost more than 1,700 people and more than 400 died. (Shiho Fukada)

6. Doll among the wreckage of the destroyed tsunami of Otsuchi city in Iwate Prefecture. (Shiho Fukada)

7. The snow on the ruins of the city of Rikuzentakata. (Shiho Fukada)

8. A bird over the tree debris in the city Otsuchi. (Shiho Fukada)

9. The cars in Otsuchi, the Prefecture of Iwate. (Shiho Fukada)

10. The Japanese evacuated in a temporary shelter in the center of culture Natori in Miyagi. (Shiho Fukada)

11. Photo album in the ruins of the city of Rikuzentakata. (Shiho Fukada)

12. Flowers on the coffin during the ceremony, a mass grave in Higashi-Matsushima. (Shiho Fukada)