Japan Remembers Ukrainian AN-225 “Mriya” Delivering Aid After 2011 Earthquake

Japan marks the 14th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, a catastrophe that claimed thousands of lives and triggered a nuclear disaster, with the Japanese Embassy in Ukraine expressing gratitude for Ukraine’s support in the aftermath on March 11.

“Japan will always remember Ukraine’s timely assistance, particularly how the AN-225 ‘Mriya ” delivered humanitarian aid after the tragedy. Together, we are stronger!” the embassy stated.

The Tōhoku earthquake, one of the most powerful in recorded history, struck Japan on March 11, 2011, with a magnitude of 9.0–9.1.

The ensuing tsunami devastated coastal areas, causing widespread destruction, loss of life, and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

By mid-March of 2011, over 5,000 deaths had been confirmed, with thousands more missing and 100,000 homes destroyed.

Following the disaster, Ukraine’s AN-225 “Mriya”, the world’s largest cargo plane, played a crucial role in delivering emergency aid to Japan. The aircraft, a symbol of Ukrainian engineering, helped transport vital humanitarian supplies at a critical time.

Earlier, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was considering funding energy and infrastructure projects in Ukraine previously overseen by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). JICA’s Ukraine office head Hideki Matsunaga made this statement at the 5th Ukrainian-Japanese Forum, organized by the New Europe Center.