The heartbreaking images of hopelessness and despair from the devastation the megaquake and tsunami brought last March 11 remain fresh in the memory of not only Japan but the rest of the world.
The struggle for recovery is far from over, but small signs of hope are beginning to emerge as seen through 30 photographs on show at the prime minister's office.
Titled "Watashi no Fukko Dayori" ("My Reconstruction Letter"), the images displayed at the entrance show glimpses of the current state of the disaster zone, especially when world leaders visit Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.