17 Jan
Friday marks 25 years since the devastating earthquake that struck Hyogo Prefecture and nearby areas in western Japan, leaving 6,434 people dead.
The tremor known as the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake occurred on January 17, 1995, destroying many buildings and causing fires.
At a park in Kobe city, the worst-hit area, many bamboo lanterns have been placed to commemorate the victims.
The reconstruction of Kobe has taken time. One of the redevelopment projects was only completed last year. But the former bustle of the area's shopping streets has yet to return.
The Hyogo prefectural government still has to pay off the balance of the debt of over 1 trillion yen, or about 9 billion dollars, generated by reconstruction work, for another 10 years.
NHK
