TOKYO - A memorial service was held in Tokyo on Sunday to mark the one year anniversary of the March 11 earthquake and ensuing tsunami that left more than 19,000 people dead or missing and triggered a nuclear accident the world had never seen since 1986.  

Flowers for offering prayers for victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami are placed at a seaside which was damaged by the disaster in Iwaki, Fukushima prefecture, March 11, 2012, to mark the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that killed thousands and set off a nuclear crisis. [Photo/Agencies]

Attendants observed minutes of silence at 14:46 pm (0546 GMT), the exact time when the magnitude-9.0 quake struck off northeastern Miyagi prefecture a year ago.

Emperor Akihito, who received a heart surgery last month, delivered a speech at the  ceremony at the National Theater in downtown Tokyo.

Similar services were held in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures devastated by tsunami.