What significant event took place in Japan in 2011?

In 2011, Japan experienced a devastating tsunami and earthquake combination, specifically the Tōhoku earthquake, which had a magnitude of 9.0. This significant seismic event, occurring on March 11, 2011, triggered a massive tsunami that flooded coastal areas and led to widespread destruction. The impact of the tsunami was catastrophic, resulting in loss of life, displacement of communities, and severe damage to infrastructure, including the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which subsequently faced a nuclear disaster.

This event was pivotal not only because of its immediate physical effects but also due to its long-term implications on Japan's nuclear energy policy and disaster preparedness. The combination of both the earthquake and tsunami created a critical natural disaster scenario, distinguishing it from other natural events like hurricanes, flooding, or volcanic activity, which were not the key events in Japan in that particular year.