One Year After Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Country Marks Anniversary of Natural and Nuclear Disasters with Bells, Prayers

A woman prays in front of a relative's grave, who was killed during last year's earthquake and tsunami, in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, on Saturday.

msnbc.com - March 10, 2012

With a minute of silence, tolling bells and prayers, Japan will on Sunday mark 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 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.

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