This combination of pictures shows a tsunami hit area of Rikuzentakata, Iwate prefecture on March 22, 2011 (top) and the same area on January 15, 2012 (bottom). March 11, 2012 will mark the first anniversary of the massive tsunami that pummelled Japan, claiming more than 19,000 lives. FRANCE OUT AFP PHOTO / NICOLAS ASFOURI (top) AFP PHOTO / TORU YAMANAKA (bottom)