These aerial views of tsunami-battered seaside communities in north eastern Japan may show striking progress - with much of the rubble, crumpled cars and debris gone.
But a brown, barren emptiness where bustling towns once stood is a sobering reminder of how much work still lies ahead in clearing up the area devastated eight months ago, on March 11, by the disaster triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake.
People living in the tidy rows of temporary houses that dot the surrounding areas say they are frustrated that authorities are not moving ahead more quickly with reconstruction plans.
But a brown, barren emptiness where bustling towns once stood is a sobering reminder of how much work still lies ahead in clearing up the area devastated eight months ago, on March 11, by the disaster triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake.
People living in the tidy rows of temporary houses that dot the surrounding areas say they are frustrated that authorities are not moving ahead more quickly with reconstruction plans.
The fishing town of Minamisanriku, which lost 70% of its buildings in tsunami
The carnage caused by the tsunami can be seen on the outline of an aircraft which used to stand next to Sendai's airport
Entire neighbourhoods in the town of Natori were completely wiped out by the March 11 tsunami
Cars damaged by the tsunami are left parked in a field near Ishinomaki
A three-storey building looks as it was easily pushed over onto its side in Onagawa
Though much of the debris left by the tsunami has been removed, eight months later there is little sign of rebuilding in communities, such as Ishinomaki pictured here
This is one of hundreds of rows of make-shift houses that have constructed for tsunami survivors in Onagawa
The city of Sendai is seen behind buildings damaged by the March 11 tsunami
A digger sets about clearing debris near a boat stranded by the tsunami at Ishinomaki
Foundations of houses destroyed by the tsunami are seen beside undamaged ones in Sendai
