Silent protesters use face masks with a symbol reading "Grudge" hold anti-nuclear flags as they protest against the nuclear industry as members of the Japanese community gather for a candlelight vigil in New York, March 10, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and set off a nuclear crisis in Japan. The protesters also demonstrated against the vigil as they believe it diminishes the ongoing suffering (of the victims) into patriotic songs.Reuters 
Flowers are seen at an area damaged by the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, March 11, 2012, as the nation marks the first anniversary of the disasters that killed thousands and set off a nuclear crisis.Reuters 
Anti-nuclear protesters hold a banner reading "Give us back Fukushima" in front of the headquarter of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), operator of the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, in Tokyo March 11, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and set off a nuclear crisis. With a minute of silence, tolling bells and prayers, Japan on Sunday marked the first anniversary of an earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and set off a nuclear crisis that shattered public trust in atomic power and the nation's leaders. A year after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake unleashed a wall of water that hit Japan's northeastern coast, killing nearly 16,000 and leaving nearly 3,300 unaccounted for, the country is still grappling with the human, economic and political costs.Reuters 
An anti-nuclear protester holds a placard during a rally in front of the headquarters of Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), operator of the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, in Tokyo March 11, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and set off a nuclear crisis. With a minute of silence, tolling bells and prayers, Japan will on Sunday mark the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and set off a nuclear crisis that shattered public trust in atomic power and the nation's leaders. A year after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake unleashed a wall of water that hit Japan's northeastern coast, killing nearly 16,000 and leaving nearly 3,300 unaccounted for, the country is still grappling with the human, economic and political costs.Reuters 
An evacuee of Okuma town, who is dressed in a protective suit, offers prayers for victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami during their temporary visit for the mourning event at the 20 km (12 miles) no-entry zone in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, March 11, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the disasters that killed thousands and set off a nuclear crisis.Reuters 
A combination photograph shows the same location on a street in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan on two different dates, March 11, 2011 (top) and February 17, 2012 (bottom). The top photograph shows a wave crashing onto a street after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, the bottom photograph shows the same location almost a year later.Reuters 
A combination photograph shows the same location on a street in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan on two different dates, March 11, 2011 (top) and February 17, 2012 (bottom). The top photograph shows a tsunami wave crashing onto a street after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, the bottom photograph shows the same location almost a year later.Reuters 
A combination photograph shows the same location on a street in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan on two different dates, March 11, 2011 (top) and February 17, 2012 (bottom). The top photograph shows a wave crashing onto a street after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, the bottom photograph shows the same location almost a year later.Reuters 
A combination photograph shows the same location in a fishing port in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan on two different dates, March 11, 2011 (top) and February 17, 2012 (bottom). The top photograph shows a wave crashing into the port after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, the bottom photograph shows the same location almost a year later.Reuters 
A combination photograph shows the same location on a street in Miyako, Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan on two different dates, March 11, 2011 (top) and February 17, 2012 (bottom). The top photograph shows a wave crashing into a road and bridge after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, the bottom photograph shows the same location almost a year later.Reuters
Japan Sunday marked the first anniversary of the disastrous earthquake and tsunami that hit its northeast coast last year.
The earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale and a powerful tsunami struck May 11, 2011, and killed around 16,000 and injured around 6,0. Another 3,317 people are listed as missing, and police and coastguard officers are still searching along the coasts.
The nation marked the day with prayers, a minute of silence and anti-nuclear rallies.
In the port of Ofunato, hundreds of black-clad residents gathered at the town hall to lay white chrysanthemums at an altar dedicated to the town's 420 dead and missing, Reuters reported.
Ofunato observed a moment of silence at 2:46 p.m. local time, the hour the quake hit last year.
Demanding an end to nuclear power, 16,000 people gathered at a baseball stadium in Koriyama, some 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the Fukushima nuclear plant, which was knocked out of action by the tsunami.
In Tokyo, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Emperor Akihito joined at a memorial event.
"A year has passed since the Great East Japan Disaster but it is still unbearable to think of the pain of the survivors and the despair of families whose loved ones have passed away," Noda said in a memorial broadcast live throughout the nation.
"Our forebears who built this country's prosperity have emerged from each crisis even stronger. We will fulfill our historic mission of realizing the rebirth of this nation through reconstruction while holding hands with people in the disaster-affected regions and being close to them," he added.
Check out the videos and photos:
Surviving Japan's tsunami disaster video
