IMAGES: With prayers Japan marks quake-tsunami anniversary

With a moment of silence, prayers and a vow to rebuild the nation, Japan on Sunday marked the first anniversary of the massive earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 19,000 people and triggered the world's worst nuclear crisis since 1986.

Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda led the main memorial ceremony held at Tokyo's National Theatre where a single pillar decorated with white Chrysanthemums and lilies was erected, symbolising the souls of the victims. Nearly 1,200 people dressed in black attended the service and observed silence for the departed souls.

The powerful quake triggered a series of explosions at Fukushima nuclear plant, forcing thousands of people to evacuate to escape radiation.

Shortly after the quake, an immense surge of water enveloped the north-eastern coast as a tsunami swept cars, ships, and buildings away, crushing coastal communities.

The twin natural disasters claimed more than 15,800 lives, and more than 3,000 people remain unaccounted for. At the memorial service, Noda pledged Japan would recover from its tragedy, Kyodo news agency reported.

"Our forebears, who led our country to prosperity, stood up with brave resolution in times of crisis," he said.

"While offering our support for the daily struggles of those people in the disaster-affected regions, we will join hands as we seek to fulfill our historic mission of "the rebirth of Japan through reconstruction."

The emperor, who is recovering from a recent heart surgery, said Japan would "never forget" the tragedy.

In tsunami-ravaged towns along the northeast, residents solemnly placed flowers where homes once stood. Warning sirens wailed in some areas at the precise time the quake struck.

At dawn, dozens of people from across Japan gathered at coastal town of Rikuzentakata to offer prayers for loved ones lost in the disaster. Some wept quietly.

Tens of thousands of people rallied near Japan's crippled Fukushima plant, demanding an end to nuclear energy in the country and compensation for victims.

A year after being forced to abandon homes and businesses in the shadow of the Fukushima nuclear plant, tens of thousands of refugees are still in limbo, unable to return and having to battle for compensation.

Although much of the debris has been cleared, survivors from the devastated northeast have complained about slow recovery efforts.

The country is still dealing with the economic and political fallout of the disaster. Parts of the northeastern coast are still badly damaged.

Rebuilding efforts represent Japan's greatest challenge since the end of World War II. So far, total damage is estimated at 25 million yen or $ 300 billion.

Slow progress in drawing up plans for the tsunami and radiation tainted region is deepening the misery of survivors, about 3,26,000 of whom are still homeless, including 80,000 evacuated from the vicinity of the Fukushima plant.

The nuclear crisis also revealed serious flaws in the nuclear industry's regulatory systems and safety standards.

Twelve months on from the disaster, few have received the compensation payouts they expected from plant operator Tokyo Electric Power

TEPCO President Toshio Nishizawa apologised again for the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant and vowed to continue efforts to keep the crippled complex under control.

"While always keeping in mind the tremendous responsibility we have to maintain stable conditions at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, we will continue to safely work toward the mid-to-long term decommissioning of the reactors," Nishizawa said in a statement.