On March 11, Japan marks 3 years from the deadly earthquake in Tohoku region, followed by a tsunami and a nuclear crisis in the prefecture of Fukushima.

The Great East Japan Earthquake struck with magnitude 9, short before 3 PM local time. It was followed by a massive tsunami tidal wave which swept through the region, leading to a malfunction at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.

According to Japan's National Police Agency, 15,884 people were killed and 2,636 are still reported missing, The Japan Times reveals.

Nearly half a million residents of Tohoku region were evacuated, with 267,000 still living in temporary shelters.

"I want to make the upcoming year, one in which people in the disaster area can really feel reconstruction. From now on, I'll emphasize not only the hard side of reconstruction, but also reconstruction of their hearts", Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

Radiation levels in the surrounding areas of the Fukushima NPP are said to be way above the acceptable norms as numerous attempts have been made to contain the nuclear meltdown in the reactors.

Memorial services are being held around the country to commemorate those who lost their lives in the disaster.